15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.
15 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
15 But if you don't obey him and rebel against what he tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.
15 However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
15 But if you rebel against the Lord 's commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 12:15
Commentary on 1 Samuel 12:6-15
(Read 1 Samuel 12:6-15)
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can escape God's justice, by trying to shake off his dominion. If we resolve that God shall not rule us, yet he will judge us.