Samuel’s farewell address at Gilgal is one of the Old Testament’s most striking integrity speeches - a prophet clearing his own name before the assembled nation, rehearsing God’s saving acts from Egypt through the judges, and closing with urgent pastoral care: do not turn away from following the LORD.
Full sung version coming soon.
Lyrics
Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have listened to your voice And have made a king over you Now, behold, the king walks before you I am old and grey-headed
Witness against me before the LORD Whose ox have I taken Whose donkey have I taken Whom have I defrauded or oppressed
Of whose hand have I taken a bribe The people said, You have not defrauded us Nor oppressed us, nor taken anything from anyone’s hand The LORD is witness, his anointed is witness
It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron Who brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt Stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD Concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD
When Jacob came into Egypt and your fathers cried to the LORD The LORD sent Moses and Aaron Who brought your fathers out and made them to dwell in this place But they forgot the LORD their God
He sold them into the hand of Sisera And into the hand of the Philistines They cried to the LORD and said We have sinned, forgive us, deliver us
The LORD sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel And delivered you out of the hand of your enemies You lived in safety But when you saw Nahash you said, No, a king shall reign over us
Now see the king whom you have chosen The LORD has set a king over you If you will fear the LORD and serve him Then both you and the king are followers of the LORD
If you will not listen to the LORD’s voice But rebel against his commandment The LORD’s hand will be against you Stand still and see this great thing
Is it not wheat harvest today I will call to the LORD to send thunder and rain You will know and see that your wickedness is great Yet don’t turn away from following the LORD
Listen
1 Samuel 12 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.
Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press