Question 1

Why does Samuel ask Israel to witness against him in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Samuel asks the people to witness against him to show that he has led them honestly and without selfish gain. He asks if he has taken anyone’s ox or donkey, if he has cheated or oppressed anyone, or taken any bribe. The people answer that he has done none of these things. By doing this in front of the Lord and their new king, Samuel shows that their request for a king was not because he was corrupt, but because their hearts wanted a different kind of leader than God’s usual way of guiding them.

Question 2

What is the main message of Samuel’s reminder about Israel’s history?

Accepted Answer

Samuel reminds Israel of their history to show that God has been the real king all along. God raised Moses and Aaron, brought their fathers out of Egypt, and gave them a place to live. When they forgot God and served idols, God let enemies like Sisera, the Philistines, and the king of Moab trouble them. When they cried out, admitted their sin, and asked for help, God sent deliverers and made them safe. The message is that God has always been faithful, even when they were not.

Question 3

Who are Jerubbaal, Bedan, and Jephthah that Samuel mentions?

Accepted Answer

Jerubbaal, Bedan, and Jephthah are men God used as deliverers in Israel’s past. Jerubbaal is another name for Gideon, who led Israel against Midian. Jephthah was raised up to save Israel from the Ammonites. Bedan is less clear, but he is listed with these judges as one of the leaders God sent. By naming them, along with Samuel himself, the speech shows a pattern: whenever Israel turned back to God and cried out, God sent someone to rescue them from their enemies.

Question 4

What does this passage teach about God’s response when his people sin?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that when God’s people forget him and serve idols, he allows trouble to come through enemy nations. That is not to destroy them, but to wake them up. When they remember God, confess, “We have sinned,” and turn from idols, God hears their cry. He then raises up leaders to rescue them and gives them safety again. So we see both God’s justice in letting them feel the results of their choices, and his mercy in saving them when they honestly turn back.

Question 5

Why had Israel been sold into the hands of Sisera, the Philistines, and the king of Moab?

Accepted Answer

Israel was handed over to Sisera, the Philistines, and the king of Moab because they forgot the Lord and served Baalim and Ashtaroth. Turning from God to idols broke their covenant with him. As a result, God “sold” them into their enemies’ hands, meaning he stopped shielding them so they would feel the weight of their unfaithfulness. This hardship led them to see their sin, cry to God for help, and promise again to serve him. Their suffering and rescue are part of this repeated pattern.

Question 6

What does this passage show about leadership and integrity?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that godly leadership is marked by honesty, fairness, and a clean conscience before God and people. Samuel can stand in front of the whole nation and say he has not stolen, cheated, oppressed, or taken bribes. The people agree. His example teaches that those who lead God’s people should not use their position for gain. It also shows that even faithful leaders can be rejected when people want a different kind of rule, but God still watches over both leaders and people.

Question 7

What was happening when Samuel gave this speech to Israel?

Accepted Answer

Samuel spoke these words at a turning point in Israel’s life. The people had asked for a king to lead them, and God had given them one. Samuel was old and had led Israel from his youth, but now a new king “walked before” them. In this moment of change, Samuel cleared his record, reminded them that God had always been their true ruler, and showed them the pattern of their history: sin, trouble, crying out, and God’s rescue. His speech prepares them to live under a king while still fearing and serving God.

Question 8

How can this passage about Israel’s history speak to believers today?

Accepted Answer

This passage reminds believers today to think honestly about their own patterns. Like Israel, it is easy to forget God when life is comfortable and to chase other “gods,” such as comfort, status, or human strength. The story warns that such paths bring trouble. But it also encourages us that God hears when people admit their sin and turn back. Samuel’s clean life urges us to value integrity, especially in any place of influence. Above all, it calls us to remember God’s past help and keep trusting him as our true ruler.

1 Samuel 12:1

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

Samuel’s Farewell Address

Samuel Addresses Israel

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1 Samuel 12:1

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

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Samuel’s Farewell Address

Samuel Addresses Israel

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