What does 1 Samuel 12:21 warn against when following "worthless things"? Setting of the Warning 1 Samuel 12 records Samuel’s farewell address to Israel. After granting their request for a king, he reminds them that their security still rests on faithful obedience to the LORD. Verse 21 forms the heart of that appeal. Meaning of “worthless things” • Hebrew word tohu — empty, vain, without substance • Points primarily to idols (cf. Jeremiah 2:5; Isaiah 44:9–20) • By extension, any pursuit that competes with wholehearted devotion to God—status, possessions, human approval, false philosophies Specific Dangers Highlighted 1. Spiritual Futility • “cannot profit” (1 Samuel 12:21) • Idols promise help but deliver nothing (Psalm 115:4-8). 2. Powerlessness in Crisis • “cannot…deliver you” • Only the LORD rescues (Psalm 46:1); substitutes leave us exposed. 3. Emptiness of Heart • “for they are empty” • Chasing hollow things hollows us out (Ecclesiastes 1:2). 4. Turning Aside from God • Following worthless things requires a deliberate shift away from Him (Jonah 2:8). • The danger is not merely adding an idol but abandoning the living God. Practical Applications for Today • Examine entertainment, ambitions, and relationships—do they draw you closer to Christ or siphon off affection? • Resist cultural idols of personal autonomy, material success, and self-image (Colossians 3:5). • Recall that every “worthless thing” eventually demands worship yet cannot give life (Matthew 6:24). • Keep short accounts: when the Spirit convicts, repent quickly (1 John 1:9). Encouraging Alternatives: What to Follow Instead • The LORD Himself—“Serve the LORD with all your heart” (1 Samuel 12:20). • His Word—“Your testimonies… give me life” (Psalm 119:93). • His kingdom priorities—“Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). • The guidance of the Spirit—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Key Supporting Scriptures • Jeremiah 10:5: “Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk.” • Isaiah 31:1: “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help… but do not look to the Holy One of Israel.” • 1 John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 Samuel 12:21 ultimately warns that following worthless things leads to futility, leaves us undefended, and empties our souls, whereas steadfast trust in the LORD brings true profit, deliverance, and fullness. |
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