Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. New Living Translation “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. English Standard Version And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. Berean Standard Bible “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. Berean Literal Bible And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid. You⁺ have done all this evil; yet do not turn aside from following YHWH, and serve YHWH with all your⁺ heart. King James Bible And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; New King James Version Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. New American Standard Bible Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. NASB 1995 Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. NASB 1977 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. Legacy Standard Bible And Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. Amplified Bible Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid. You have [indeed] done all this evil; yet do not turn away from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. Berean Annotated Bible “Do not be afraid, Samuel (his name is El) replied. “Even though you⁺ have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD {YHWH}, but serve the LORD with all your⁺ heart. Christian Standard Bible Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart. Holman Christian Standard Bible Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart. American Standard Version And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your heart: Contemporary English Version Samuel answered: Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the LORD and worship him with all your heart. English Revised Version And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have indeed done all this evil: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; GOD'S WORD® Translation "Don't be afraid," Samuel told the people. "You did do all these evil things. But don't turn away from the LORD. Instead, serve the LORD wholeheartedly. Good News Translation "Don't be afraid," Samuel answered. "Even though you have done such an evil thing, do not turn away from the LORD, but serve him with all your heart. International Standard Version Samuel told all the people, "Don't be afraid. You have done all this evil. Yet don't turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. NET Bible Then Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid. You have indeed sinned. However, don't turn aside from the LORD. Serve the LORD with all your heart. New Heart English Bible Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. Webster's Bible Translation And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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. World English Bible Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Samuel says to the people, “Do not fear; you have done all this evil; only, do not turn aside from after YHWH—and you have served YHWH with all your heart, Berean Literal Bible And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid. You⁺ have done all this evil; yet do not turn aside from following YHWH, and serve YHWH with all your⁺ heart. Young's Literal Translation And Samuel saith unto the people, 'Fear not; ye have done all this evil; only, turn not aside from after Jehovah -- and ye have served Jehovah with all your heart, Smith's Literal Translation And Samuel will say to the people, Ye shall not be afraid: ye did all this wickedness: but ye shall not turn aside from after Jehovah, and serve ye Jehovah with all your heart. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Samuel said to the people: Fear not, you have done all this evil: but yet depart not from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Samuel said to the people: “Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil. Yet truly, do not choose to withdraw from the back of the Lord. Instead, serve the Lord with all your heart. New American Bible “Do not fear,” Samuel answered them. “You have indeed committed all this evil! Yet do not turn from the LORD, but serve him with your whole heart. New Revised Standard Version And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Samuel said to the people, Fear not; you have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve him with all your heart; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shemueil said to the people: “You shall not be afraid! You have done all this evil, however do not turn away from after LORD JEHOVAH, but serve LORD JEHOVAH with all your heart! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Samuel said unto the people: 'Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; Brenton Septuagint Translation And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: ye have indeed wrought all this iniquity; only turn not from following the Lord, and serve the Lord with all your heart. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samuel's Farewell Address…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. 21Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.… Cross References “Do not be afraid,” Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Samuel replied. 1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 7:3 Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. “Even though you have committed all this evil, Ezekiel 18:21-23 But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live? Deuteronomy 30:1-3 “When all these things come upon you—the blessings and curses I have set before you—and you call them to mind in all the nations to which the LORD your God has banished you, / and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today, / then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. do not turn aside from following the LORD, Deuteronomy 5:32-33 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. / You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Joshua 23:6 Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left. 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. but serve the LORD with all your heart. Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Joshua 24:14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 1 Kings 8:61 So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.” 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Treasury of Scripture And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: you have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; Fear not Exodus 20:19,20 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die… 1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. turn not Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; Deuteronomy 31:29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. Joshua 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; Jump to Previous Afraid Committed Evil Heart Indeed Samuel Servants Serve Served Turn Turned WickednessJump to Next Afraid Committed Evil Heart Indeed Samuel Servants Serve Served Turn Turned Wickedness1 Samuel 12 1. Samuel testifies his integrity6. He reproves the people of ingratitude 16. He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time 20. he comforts them in God's mercy “Do not be afraid,” Samuel reassures the Israelites, echoing a common biblical theme where God or His messengers tell His people not to fear. This phrase is often used to comfort and encourage, as seen in Genesis 15:1 with Abram and in Luke 1:30 with Mary. It signifies God's presence and protection despite human failings. “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.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and last judge of Israel, who played a crucial role in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He is addressing the Israelites in this passage. 2. Israelites The people of Israel, who have just demanded a king to rule over them, rejecting God as their direct ruler. Samuel is speaking to them after they have realized their sin in asking for a king. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, whom the Israelites are called to follow and serve wholeheartedly despite their previous disobedience. 4. King Saul Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Saul is the newly anointed king of Israel, whose reign marks the beginning of the monarchy that the Israelites demanded. 5. Gilgal The location where Samuel delivered this address, a significant site for Israel where they renewed their covenant with God. Teaching Points Repentance and AssuranceDespite past sins, God offers forgiveness and calls for continued faithfulness. Believers should not be paralyzed by fear of past failures but should repent and move forward in obedience. Wholehearted Service Serving God requires total commitment. This involves aligning one's actions, thoughts, and desires with God's will, as emphasized by the Hebrew word "lebab" (heart), which denotes the inner self. Faithfulness in Leadership Just as the Israelites were called to follow God despite having a human king, Christians are reminded to prioritize God's authority over any earthly leadership. Covenant Relationship The call to serve God with all one's heart is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people. This relationship demands loyalty and devotion. Fear and Faith The exhortation "Do not be afraid" highlights the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and sovereignty, even when facing the consequences of sin. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 12:20?2. How does 1 Samuel 12:20 encourage us to remain faithful despite past sins? 3. What does "do not turn aside" teach about steadfastness in our faith? 4. How can 1 Samuel 12:20 guide us in resisting modern-day temptations? 5. Which New Testament teachings align with the call to "serve the LORD" wholeheartedly? 6. How can we apply Samuel's advice to our daily walk with God? 7. What does 1 Samuel 12:20 teach about repentance and God's forgiveness? 8. How does 1 Samuel 12:20 address the issue of idolatry? 9. What historical context surrounds 1 Samuel 12:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 12? 11. What defines being devout? 12. What are Kierkegaard's key ideas and notable works? 13. How do we reconcile 1 Samuel 16:7's emphasis on God looking at the heart with David's 'handsome' description in 16:12, suggesting external attributes mattered? 14. How could the people's immediate repentance in 1 Samuel 12:19 be verified historically or culturally? What Does 1 Samuel 12:20 Mean Do not be afraidSamuel opens with calming words, because Israel has just realized the weight of asking for a king and is terrified of God’s anger. Scripture often pairs God’s holiness with His mercy: • Joshua 1:9 assures, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” • Isaiah 41:10 echoes, “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Fear that drives us from God is never His goal; He calls us near, confident in His presence. Even though you have committed all this evil Samuel does not minimize sin. Their demand for a king was rebellion, yet grace remains available. • 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Isaiah 1:18 invites, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow.” God’s pattern: expose sin, extend forgiveness, restore fellowship. The acknowledgment of “all this evil” becomes the doorway to mercy, not a barrier. Do not turn aside from following the LORD Repentance is more than regret; it is a deliberate re-alignment. Samuel warns against drifting to “the right or to the left.” • Deuteronomy 5:32–33 urges, “Be careful… you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.” • Joshua 24:14–15 places the decision plainly: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Staying on course involves daily, conscious choices—small course corrections that keep the heart anchored to God’s ways. But serve the LORD with all your heart The call moves from avoidance to active devotion. Whole-hearted service is love expressed through obedience, affection, and priority. • Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” • Matthew 22:37 reaffirms this as the greatest commandment. • Earlier, 1 Samuel 7:3 challenged Israel, “Return to the LORD with all your hearts… and serve Him only.” Whole-hearted service is not legalistic obligation; it is joyful surrender that recognizes God’s covenant faithfulness and responds in kind. summary 1 Samuel 12:20 balances sobering honesty about sin with an energizing invitation to fearless, whole-hearted devotion. God exposes rebellion yet immediately offers mercy, urging His people not to retreat in shame but to press in with renewed loyalty. The verse captures the gospel pattern: do not fear, acknowledge sin, refuse to wander, and engage in passionate service to the Lord who faithfully loves and restores. (20) Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness.--A very great and precious evangelical truth is contained in these comforting words of the great and good seer. They show how deeply this eminent servant of the Most High had entered into the Eternal thought. No sin or course of sin was too great to be repented of. Afar off these true ministers of the Lord saw, though, perhaps, "in a glass' darkly," the Lamb of God, whose blood cleanseth from all sin. Isaiah often pressed home the same truth to the sinning Israel of his own day in such terms as, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;" and Samuel's words--bidding the people, in spite of the guilty past, yet press on, following the Lord and serving Him with all the heart--were taken up by Samuel's prophet-successors, and repeated in coming ages again and again in such moving exhortations as, "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God" (Hosea 14:1). They were re-echoed by men like Paul, who, with stirring loving words, bade their hearers, forgetting all the things that were behind, their past guilt and failure, press on still fearlessly for the real prize of life.Verse 20. - Ye have done all this wickedness. The ye is emphatic, and to give its force we should translate, "Ye have indeed done all this evil." From following Jehovah. See on ver. 15.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Do notאַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not be afraid,” תִּירָ֔אוּ (tî·rā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten Samuel שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel replied. וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Even though you אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you have committed עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם (‘ă·śî·ṯem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every this הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, evil, הָרָעָ֖ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not turn aside תָּס֙וּרוּ֙ (tā·sū·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5493: To turn aside from following מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition-m Strong's 310: The hind or following part the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel but serve וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel with all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every your heart. לְבַבְכֶֽם׃ (lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart Links 1 Samuel 12:20 NIV1 Samuel 12:20 NLT 1 Samuel 12:20 ESV 1 Samuel 12:20 NASB 1 Samuel 12:20 KJV 1 Samuel 12:20 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 12:20 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 12:20 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 12:20 French Bible 1 Samuel 12:20 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 12:20 Samuel said to the people Don't be (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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