1 Samuel 12:23

1 Samuel 12:23

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.

a. NLT: “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.

b. NIV: As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: 'I, also, far be it from me to sin against Jehovah, by ceasing to pray for you, and I have directed you in the good and upright way;

d. Amplified Bible: Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

e. Septuagint: And far be it from me to sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will serve the Lord, and shew you the good and the right way.

Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: And I, also far be it from me to sin against HASHEM and refrain from praying on your behalf; rather I shall instruct you in the good and proper path.

1. “…God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you…”

a. God forbid [2486 * chaliylah] [Strong:  literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!:--be far, (X God) forbid.] [AMG, Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament: An adversative interjection of strong emotion, let it never be, far be it. It strongly suggests that something should not be the case.]

b. sin [2398 * chata] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn:--bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.]

c. the LORD [3068 * Yehovah] [Strong: the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.]

d. ceasing [2308 * chadal] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle:--cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want.]

e. pray [6419 * palal] [Strong: a primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray:--intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.]

f. for you [1157 * ba’ad] [AMG, Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament: After the verb to pray, it indicates what is to be prayed for, Genesis 20:7.]

1). Here we are told that if we stop praying for those who the Lord has instructed us to pray for, we are sinning against God. In the New Testament Paul gives us a small list about who to pray for first.

a). 1 Timothy 2:1-8 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

2. “…but I will teach you the good and the right way.”

a. teach [3384 * yarah] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.]

b. good [2896 * towb] [Strong: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ((-favoured)).]

c. right [3477 * yashar] [Strong: straight (literally or figuratively):--convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).]

d. way [1870 * derek] [Strong: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).]

1). Scripture gives us the right way we should walk.

a). Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

1:6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

b). Matthew 7:13, 14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

                  7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be                     that find it.