What does 1 Samuel 12:21 mean?
"And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain." - 1 Samuel 12:21
1 Samuel 12:21 - "And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain."
The verse 1 Samuel 12:21 from the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain."
This verse comes from the book of 1 Samuel, which is part of the historical books in the Old Testament. The historical books of the Bible recount the history of the nation of Israel, from its inception as a people through the period of the judges and the monarchies.
The context of this verse is important to understanding its full meaning. In this chapter, the prophet Samuel is addressing the Israelites, who have rejected their traditional system of judgeship in favor of a monarchy. Samuel, in his farewell address, recounts God's faithfulness to the Israelites and warns them not to turn away from God and serve other gods. He urges them to serve the Lord with all their heart and not follow after vain things that cannot profit or deliver.
The theme of this verse is the danger of turning away from God and following after vain things. The Israelites are being warned of the consequences of forsaking the true and living God for idols and the emptiness of the pursuit of things that have no real value. The theme of idolatry and the call to wholehearted devotion to God is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, as the Israelites struggled with turning away from the one true God to worship false gods.
The verse also carries the theme of the sovereignty and faithfulness of God. In the preceding verses, Samuel recounts God's faithfulness to the Israelites in delivering them from their enemies and providing for their needs. The warning against turning away from God is rooted in the understanding that God alone is the source of true profit and deliverance.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between the pursuit of "vain things" and the true profit and deliverance found in serving the Lord. The term "vain things" refers to anything that is empty, worthless, or devoid of real value. In the context of the Israelites, this likely referred to the worship of false gods, the pursuit of material wealth, and a reliance on human strength rather than God's provision. The symbolism here serves as a warning to prioritize the pursuit of God and His righteousness over the empty pursuits of the world.
The message of this verse is relevant for believers today. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, the call to wholeheartedly serve the Lord and not turn aside to pursue vain things remains a relevant and important exhortation. The verse serves as a reminder to prioritize our relationship with God, to seek His kingdom first, and to be aware of the emptiness and futility of pursuing things that do not ultimately bring true profit or deliverance.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 12:21 from the King James Version of the Bible carries a timeless message about the dangers of turning away from God and pursuing vain things. The verse serves as a warning against idolatry and a call to wholehearted devotion to God. It offers a contrast between the emptiness of the pursuits of the world and the true profit and deliverance found in serving the Lord. This verse is a powerful reminder of the sovereignty and faithfulness of God and the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else.
1 Samuel 12:21 Artwork
1 Samuel 12:21 - "And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain."
1 Samuel 21:12 - "And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath."
1 Samuel 2:12
1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."
1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."
1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."
1 Samuel 12:18 - "So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel."
1 Samuel 23:21 - "And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."
1 Samuel 17:21 - "For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army."
1 Kings 21:12 - "They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people."
1 Samuel 13:21 - "Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads."
1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."
1 Samuel 21:10 - "¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."
1 Samuel 12:6 - "¶ And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt."
1 Samuel 18:12 - "¶ And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul."
1 Samuel 2:12 - "¶ Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD."
1 Samuel 1:12 - "And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth."
1 Samuel 1:21 - "And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow."
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."
1 Samuel 12:11 - "And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe."
1 Samuel 7:12 - "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."
1 Samuel 12:16 - "¶ Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes."
1 Samuel 12:25 - "But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."
1 Samuel 15:12 - "And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal."
1 Samuel 28:12 - "And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul."
1 Samuel 5:12 - "And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven."
1 Samuel 11:12 - "¶ And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death."
2 Samuel 12:21 - "Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread."
1 Samuel 10:12 - "And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?"
1 Samuel 16:21 - "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer."