1 Samuel 12

Messiah (the Lord's Anointed)

Anointed — Hebrew mashiach, the word that becomes 'Messiah' (Greek 'Christ')

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. 1 Samuel 12:3–5

Here 'his anointed' means King Saul, but the title 'the LORD's anointed' is the very word Messiah. Israel's anointed kings were shadows of the one true Anointed King, Jesus Christ, who stands with the Lord as witness and judge.

• alludes to 1 Samuel 2:10 — Hannah's song first speaks of the Lord exalting 'the horn of his anointed'.
• the same title in Psalms 2:2 — 'The LORD, and ... his anointed' — the psalm applied to Christ in Acts 4:26-27.

Jehovah the Deliverer

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 12:6–11

Samuel retells how Jehovah rescued Israel again and again whenever they cried to Him. Latter-day Saints understand this Jehovah who brought Israel out of Egypt to be the premortal Jesus Christ, the Deliverer.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same title in 1 Nephi 19:10 — The God of Abraham who led Israel out of Egypt is the God who yields Himself to be crucified.

Jehovah, Israel's King

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. 1 Samuel 12:12

Israel wanted a human king even though Jehovah was already their King. Jesus Christ is the King of Israel who will one day reign personally.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 1 Samuel 8:7 — 'They have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.'
• the same title in Isaiah 33:22 — 'The LORD is our king; he will save us.'

Jehovah the Covenant God

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 1 Samuel 12:22

Even after Israel's mistake, Jehovah promises not to abandon the people who carry His name. The covenant God of Israel is Christ, who keeps His people for His name's sake.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)