1 Samuel 12:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Samuel contrasts the new king now leading them with his own long lifetime of faithful service from childhood to old age.
What Does 1 Samuel 12:2 Mean?
Samuel points to the visible change: the king now walks before the people, while he himself is old and gray. He has served openly since his boyhood in the temple at Shiloh, and now hands the reins on.
To walk before the people is to live a life laid open to their inspection. Samuel offers his whole record, nothing hidden, as evidence that a life can be spent in the sight of God and neighbor without shame. Such transparent faithfulness is the soil in which trust grows.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 12:2
What does 1 Samuel 12:2 mean?
Samuel contrasts the new king now leading them with his own long lifetime of faithful service from childhood to old age.