1 Samuel 12:21

Translations

Modern

Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.

Traditional

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

Literal

And do not turn aside as though after the empty things that do not profit and do not deliver; for they are nothing.

Latin

Et nolite declinare post vana, quæ non proderunt vobis, neque eruent vos, quia vana sunt.

Original

Hebrew

English

Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.

Notes

1 Samuel 12:21

worthless … they are empty: Israel was slow to understand this lesson (for example, Isaiah 40:18–26; 44:9–20).

1 Samuel 12:6–25

In 1 Samuel 12:1–5, Samuel examined himself and was found innocent. In 1 Samuel 12:6–25, he examined the nation and found it guilty.

1 Samuel 12:1–25

The confirmation of Saul as king at Gilgal was the last step in making him king (1 Samuel 11:12–15). It was also a suitable time for Samuel to give his farewell speech as Israel's leader.

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Security and Obedience

Events

Reign of Saul

Related verses

Habakkuk 2:18
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.
Jeremiah 10:15
They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.
Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all.
Deuteronomy 11:16
But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,
Jeremiah 14:22
Can the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies alone send showers? Is this not by You, O LORD our God? So we put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.
Isaiah 45:20
Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.
Isaiah 44:9–10
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.
Isaiah 46:7
They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.
Jeremiah 2:13
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
1 Corinthians 8:4
So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.
Jonah 2:8
Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.
Psalm 115:4–8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Meaning of Names in the Bible Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Idolatry: Folly of Reproof: when from God: should be Accompanied by Exhortation to Repentance

1 Samuel 12:21

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics