SAMUEL'S FAREWELL SPEECH (1 SAM 12)
Samuel asserts the integrity with which he had performed his office and reminded them of the great and good things, the Lord had done for them in times past. He urged them to fear and serve the Lord, lest the hand of God be against them. He terrified them by calling for thunder in an unusual time and then comforts and encourages them. He further encouraged them to stay faithful in doing their duty so that God would be with them and will not forsake them. He also warned them that failing to stay faithful to God would bring ruin and destruction.
1 Sam 12:3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed......Samuel establishes his faithfulness in the ministry before the ministered publicly. A great example for us to follow to remain faithful in the god assigned tasks.
1 Sam 12:6 It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt....... Samuel emphasized that the leadership so far was provided by God... Theocracy.
1 Sam 12:12 you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your king.........Looks like the Israelites could not realize the real leadership (of God) over them. They could not recall and be grateful for the way how God led them.
1 Sam 12:14 If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good!........They are urged to recognize the Lord as their true king, though they now have a new king (Saul) like other nations. The introduction of kingship into Israel's socio-political structure has not changed the fundamental nature of Israel's relationship to the Lord. God is the king of every area of our life. We must recognize His kingship and pattern our relationships, work-life, home life according to His principles. The fear of the Lord is not merely a pious attitude but a serious and obedient response to the revelation of God's holy Character.
1 Sam 12:16-18 Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the Lord to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.” Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel..........The Lord Himself demonstrates His existence and power, authenticating the truthfulness and seriousness of the words of Samuel.
1 Sam 12: 20 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”......... The miraculous thunder rain in unusual time prompted the people of Israel to realize their unworthiness and their failure and to confess their sins. They urged the leader representing them before God to pray for them.
1 Sam 12: 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you ........For Samuel, a lack of praying for others was a moral compromise, a sin. The importance of intercession is emphasized here. Intercession for others is an important ministry displayed by His people throughout the Bible. We should pray continually for others (Eph 6:18). We may disagree with others but we shouldn't stop praying for them.
1 Sam 12:24,25 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”............Samuel urged the people of Israel to give God His place and to recognize His doings on a regular basis in his final address to them. He reminds them the importance of fearing and obeying God and to serve Him faithfully so that they would be blessed in their life. To receive the blessings of God there is no other shortcuts. Also we need to take time to reflect on the things God has been doing in our lives. Obedience to God would bring long term consequences even though it may look difficult in the short run. Disobedience to the revealed instructions of God would lead us to bondage.
