Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you (v.24). In this dramatic moment, the prophet Samuel, who lived around 1100-1010 BC and was the final judge of Israel before the nation transitioned to a monarchy, exhorts the people in the region of ancient Israel to remain faithful to God. Although the verse itself does not mention a specific city, Samuel often ministered in various high places and traveled throughout the land to judge Israel, eventually anointing Saul, and later David, as kings (1 Samuel 7:15; 9:15-17; 16:1). Through this statement, Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth… Samuel is calling the people to reverently acknowledge God’s holiness rather than cowering in terror. He desires that their service be done with sincerity and devotion—an inner attitude of constancy that recognizes God’s supreme authority. Elsewhere in Scripture, fear of the LORD is associated with wisdom, a right understanding of who God is, and a life shaped by His righteousness (Proverbs 9:10). Samuel then reminds them to consider what great things He has done for you, prompting them to reflect upon God’s constant deliverance and provision since the days of the exodus from Egypt through the time of the judges (1 Samuel 12:6-11).
These words occur in a moment when the people had insisted on having a human king. They turned from the direct theocracy established by God and demanded a ruler like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel warned them about the consequences of rejecting their divine King, yet heeding God’s permission, he himself anointed Saul as their first earthly sovereign. This verse, Only fear the LORD…, is a reminder that even though the Israelites desired an earthly king, they were still ultimately accountable to their Heavenly King. They must remember God’s faithfulness in battles, His provision in times of need, and His discipline when they strayed. Similar lessons continue throughout the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing that the best safeguard against sin is a reverent focus on God, accompanied by heartfelt gratitude for His great works (Philippians 4:6-7).
Though Samuel was the last judge, his ministry bridged the nation of Israel from its loose tribal confederacy under the judges to a royal system under King Saul. As the people began this monumental transition, Samuel urged them to remain steadfast toward the LORD. In this call to serve Him in truth with all your heart, Samuel highlighted a consistency that God desires from His people—a combined devotion of both action and attitude, in recognition of the many wonders God had wrought on their behalf.
Keep God first in every thought, word, and deed; only with a healthy fear of the Lord, expressed in obedience and gratitude, can we remain faithful in our earthly journey.
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1 Samuel 12:24 meaning
Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you (v.24). In this dramatic moment, the prophet Samuel, who lived around 1100-1010 BC and was the final judge of Israel before the nation transitioned to a monarchy, exhorts the people in the region of ancient Israel to remain faithful to God. Although the verse itself does not mention a specific city, Samuel often ministered in various high places and traveled throughout the land to judge Israel, eventually anointing Saul, and later David, as kings (1 Samuel 7:15; 9:15-17; 16:1). Through this statement, Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth… Samuel is calling the people to reverently acknowledge God’s holiness rather than cowering in terror. He desires that their service be done with sincerity and devotion—an inner attitude of constancy that recognizes God’s supreme authority. Elsewhere in Scripture, fear of the LORD is associated with wisdom, a right understanding of who God is, and a life shaped by His righteousness (Proverbs 9:10). Samuel then reminds them to consider what great things He has done for you, prompting them to reflect upon God’s constant deliverance and provision since the days of the exodus from Egypt through the time of the judges (1 Samuel 12:6-11).
These words occur in a moment when the people had insisted on having a human king. They turned from the direct theocracy established by God and demanded a ruler like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel warned them about the consequences of rejecting their divine King, yet heeding God’s permission, he himself anointed Saul as their first earthly sovereign. This verse, Only fear the LORD…, is a reminder that even though the Israelites desired an earthly king, they were still ultimately accountable to their Heavenly King. They must remember God’s faithfulness in battles, His provision in times of need, and His discipline when they strayed. Similar lessons continue throughout the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing that the best safeguard against sin is a reverent focus on God, accompanied by heartfelt gratitude for His great works (Philippians 4:6-7).
Though Samuel was the last judge, his ministry bridged the nation of Israel from its loose tribal confederacy under the judges to a royal system under King Saul. As the people began this monumental transition, Samuel urged them to remain steadfast toward the LORD. In this call to serve Him in truth with all your heart, Samuel highlighted a consistency that God desires from His people—a combined devotion of both action and attitude, in recognition of the many wonders God had wrought on their behalf.
Keep God first in every thought, word, and deed; only with a healthy fear of the Lord, expressed in obedience and gratitude, can we remain faithful in our earthly journey.