1 Samuel Chapter 12
Samuel’s Farewell Address
1 Then Samuel told Israel,
“I’ve listened to you and appointed a king. 2 Now here’s the king living among you, but I’m getting old and gray; my sons are with you. I’ve lived among you since I was young. 3 Here I am. Accuse me in the presence of Yahveh and his anointed. Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Who’ve I defrauded or oppressed? Who’ve I taken a bribe from to blind me? I’ll return it to you.”
4 They said, “You haven’t defrauded or oppressed us, or taken anything from anybody.”
5 He said, “Yahveh and his anointed are witnesses that you haven’t found anything in my possession.”
They said, “They’re witnesses.”
1 Sam 12:1-5
6 Samuel told the people,
“Yahveh appointed Moses and Aaron to bring your ancestors up from Egypt. 7 Now, stand so I can remind you in his presence about the good things he did for you and your ancestors. 8 When Jacob went to Egypt and your ancestors appealed to Yahveh, he sent Moses and Aaron to settle them here. 9 But they forgot him. So he sold them to Sisera, commander of Hazor’s army, to the Philistines, to the king of Moab, and they fought them. 10 They appealed to Yahveh, ‘We’ve sinned by leaving you and worshiping the images of Baal and Ashtoreth. But deliver us now from our enemies, and we’ll serve you.’ 11 He sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and me to deliver you from enemies in every direction; so you’ve lived in security. 12 When you saw Nahash threatening, you told me you wanted a king—although Yahveh your God was your king. 13 Here’s the king you asked for and chose, and Yahveh has put over you. 14 If you’ll respect, serve him, and regard his command, you and the king will be following him. 15 If you disregard his command, he’ll oppose you like he did your ancestors. 16 Take your stand right now and see this great thing he’ll do to you. 17 Isn’t today wheat harvest? I’ll call out to him to send thunder and rain. You’ll see that he considered asking for a king a bad thing.” 1 Sam 12:6-17
18 Samuel called out to Yahveh, and he sent thunder and rain that day. The people feared him and Samuel.
19 They told Samuel, “Pray for us so we won’t die. We’ve added to our sins by asking for a king.”
20 Samuel said,
“Don’t be afraid. You have done the wrong thing, but don’t turn aside from serving Yahveh with all your heart. 21 You’d be going after pointless things that can’t save. 22 Because of his great name, Yahveh won’t abandon you. It pleased him to make you his people. 23 I’ll never sin against him by not continuing to pray for you. I’ll instruct you in the right way. 24 Just respect him and serve him sincerely. Think about the great things he’s done for you. 25 If you still act sinfully, he’ll sweep away you and your king.”
1 Sam 12:18-25