1 Samuel 12:19
New International Version
The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

New Living Translation
“Pray to the LORD your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”

English Standard Version
And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.”

Berean Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”

King James Bible
And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

New King James Version
And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”

New American Standard Bible
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we do not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, by asking for ourselves a king.”

NASB 1995
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

NASB 1977
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

Amplified Bible
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we will not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil—to ask for a king for ourselves.”

Christian Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”

American Standard Version
And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

Contemporary English Version
They told Samuel, "Please, pray to the LORD your God for us! We don't want to die. We have sinned many times in the past, and we were very wrong to ask for a king."

English Revised Version
And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the people pleaded with Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for us so that we will not die. We have added [another] evil thing to all our other sins by asking for a king."

Good News Translation
and they said to Samuel, "Please, sir, pray to the LORD your God for us, so that we won't die. We now realize that, besides all our other sins, we have sinned by asking for a king."

International Standard Version
Then all the people told Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we don't die, because we made all our sins worse by asking for a king for ourselves."

Majority Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, ?Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.?

NET Bible
All the people said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God on behalf of us--your servants--so we won't die, for we have added to all our sins by asking for a king."

New Heart English Bible
All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king."

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

World English Bible
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all the people say to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to your God YHWH, and we do not die, for we have added evil to all our sins to ask [for] a king for ourselves.”

Young's Literal Translation
and all the people say unto Samuel, 'Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, and we do not die, for we have added to all our sins evil to ask for us a king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the people will say to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to Jehovah thy God, and we shall not die; for we added upon all our sins the wickedness to ask for us a king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said to Samuel: Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all the people feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly. And all the people said to Samuel: “Pray, on behalf of your servants, to the Lord your God, so that we may not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil, that we would petition for a king.”

New American Bible
They said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for us, your servants, that we may not die for having added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

New Revised Standard Version
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of demanding a king for ourselves.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the people said to Samuel. Pray for your servants before the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins a great evil, in that we have asked for ourselves a king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the people said to Shemueil: “Pray for your Servants before LORD JEHOVAH your God, and we will not die, because we have added to all our sins a great evil, that we ask for ourselves a King!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the people said unto Samuel: 'Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, and let us not die; for we have added to all our sins this iniquity, in asking for us a king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel's Farewell Address
18So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Jeremiah 15:1
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!

Exodus 9:28
Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer.”

Numbers 21:7
Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

1 Kings 13:6
Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Acts 8:24
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Hosea 14:2
Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.


Treasury of Scripture

And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

Pray for thy servants

1 Samuel 7:5,8
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD…

Genesis 20:7
Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

Exodus 9:28
Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

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Added Addition Death Desiring Die Evil Overtake Prayer Samuel Servants Sins Wickedness
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Added Addition Death Desiring Die Evil Overtake Prayer Samuel Servants Sins Wickedness
1 Samuel 12
1. Samuel testifies his integrity
6. He reproves the people of ingratitude
16. He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time
20. he comforts them in God's mercy














They all said to Samuel
This phrase indicates a collective acknowledgment and response from the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies a declaration or confession. This is significant as it shows the unity of the people in recognizing their wrongdoing. Historically, Samuel was a respected prophet and judge, and the people's approach to him underscores his role as an intercessor between them and God.

Pray to the LORD your God
The request for Samuel to "pray" highlights the Hebrew word "פָּלַל" (palal), meaning to intercede or mediate. This reflects the Israelites' understanding of Samuel's unique relationship with God. The phrase "the LORD your God" indicates a personal and covenantal relationship, emphasizing that Samuel's connection with God is seen as a channel for divine intervention.

for your servants
By referring to themselves as "your servants," the Israelites express humility and submission. The Hebrew word "עֶבֶד" (ebed) denotes servitude and allegiance. This acknowledgment of their position before God and Samuel is crucial in the context of repentance and seeking mercy.

so that we will not die
This phrase reveals the Israelites' fear of divine judgment. The Hebrew concept of death here is not just physical but also spiritual separation from God. Their plea underscores the seriousness of their sin and the consequences they fear as a result of their actions.

for we have added to all our other sins
The admission of adding to their "other sins" shows an awareness of their cumulative disobedience. The Hebrew word for "sins" is "חַטָּאָה" (chatta'ah), which implies missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. This confession is a critical step in the process of repentance, acknowledging a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident.

the evil of asking for a king
The term "evil" is translated from the Hebrew word "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which denotes something harmful or wicked. The Israelites' request for a king was seen as a rejection of God's kingship, a significant theological and covenantal breach. Historically, this request marked a turning point in Israel's history, transitioning from a theocracy to a monarchy, which had profound implications for their identity and relationship with God.

Verse 19. - Pray for thy servants. On Samuel's mediatorial office see 1 Samuel 7:5, 8.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

pleaded
וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

with
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Samuel,
שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

“Pray
הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל (hiṯ·pal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
בְּעַד־ (bə·‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

your servants,
עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

so we will not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

die!
נָמ֑וּת (nā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we have added
יָסַ֤פְנוּ (yā·sap̄·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

our sins
חַטֹּאתֵ֙ינוּ֙ (ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯê·nū)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

the evil
רָעָ֔ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

of asking
לִשְׁאֹ֥ל (liš·’ōl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

for
לָ֖נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

a king.?
מֶֽלֶךְ׃ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 1 Samuel 12:19 All the people said to Samuel Pray (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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