1 Samuel 12
Samuel’s Final Instructions
After God used Saul to lead Israel’s armies to victory over the Ammonites, Samuel gathered the people for his final public address to confirm the political authority of the new king and to redefine his role as a spiritual leader and advisor.
This chapter . . . formally marks the end of the period of the judges. - Gordon
I Have Led You from My Youth until Now
Charges
Vs. 3 - Here I am. Bring charges against me before the Lord and his anointed
The people’s demand for a king was an insult to Samuel as well as to God. Samuel therefore called upon them to declare before God and before the king that he had been blameless in all his behavior. He had given them no cause to be dissatisfied with his leadership. - Don Fleming
Samuel wanted the nation to know that he passed a good legacy of leadership to the new king, Saul. He wanted Israel to recognize that he didn’t hand Saul a mess to clean up. If Saul proved to be a poor leader, no one could say it was because of Samuel’s bad example. - David Guzik
Confrontation
Vs. 7 - Now present yourselves, so I may confront you before the Lord about all the righteous acts he has done for you and your ancestors.
Samuel recounted to the people how God Himself had always heard their cries and moved to rescue them from their enemies. Israel had not lacked leadership; they desired a different kind.
Here Is The King You’ve Chosen
Vs. 13 - Now here is the king you’ve chosen, the one you requested. Look, this is the king the Lord has placed over you.
Samuel wanted it known that it was not his idea to appoint a king over Israel. This idea began in the hearts of Israel, not in the heart and mind of God. God allowed it and directed its execution, but it was the voice of the people that prompted it. - David Guzik
In this final public address, Samuel stressed again that it was the people rather than God who had initiated this inauguration. It was with God’s permission rather than His preference that a king had been chosen at this time. But Samuel also reminded the people that if God’s commandments were kept, His blessings would follow.
One wonders what Saul was thinking while Samuel said all these things? How did it feel to become king under these strange circumstances?
Back in Deuteronomy 17:14–20 Moses had given instructions about the kingship if the people ever went in that direction. We should learn from God’s way of installing a human king that his purposes are to inaugurate a line of human kings who would all fail until the king came who was not only man but also God, for only God can be king of Israel. In giving Israel a human king, God did not change his mind about only God being the rightful King of Israel. The point is that God alone is King of Israel, and there is coming a King, a Son of David, who will not fail like the others. He will not be just another sinful man. He will be the God-man. - John Piper
See This Great Thing
Storm
Vs. 18 - Samuel called on the Lord, and on that day the Lord sent thunder and rain.
God confirmed the truth of Samuel’s words supernaturally when He sent rain during the wheat harvest, normally the driest period of the year. The rain symbolized the blessing of God for obedience (cf. Deuteronomy 28:12). This storm was a sign that Yahweh was supporting Samuel. However, coming at this time of the year, it proved to be judgmental, since farmers do not appreciate rain during harvests, and a warning of future potential judgment. - Thomas Constable
Sin
Vs. 19 - They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”
When the people saw the storm during the dry season, they fully understood their rebellion and rejection of God as their shepherd and king. There is great mercy in every sign God sends to arrest the attention of His children.
Don’t Be Afraid
Vs. 20-21 - Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart. Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.
After Samuel’s scathing rebuke and powerful sign, the people fully grasped the gravity of their premature demand for a king. And in the storm, they became scared. But Samuel urged them to resist terror and to embrace trust. God would not forsake the people He had chosen, and weakness should not lead them to worship what was worthless.
Vs. 15 - if you disobey the Lord and rebel against his command, the Lord’s hand will be against you
Vs. 22 - The Lord will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people.
Vs. 25 - if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away
Even though you have sinned greatly, and terribly dishonored the Lord, even though you now have a king which it was a sin to demand, even though there is no undoing that sin or its painful consequences that are yet to come, nevertheless there is a future and a hope. There is mercy.
Then comes the great ground — the basis and foundation — of the gospel in 1 Samuel 12:22. Why don’t you need to fear, even though you have done all this evil? “For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.” - John Piper
I Will Pray for You
Vs. 23 - As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.
Samuel would continue to lead the people but in a slightly different role. Saul would be a political leader, and he would be a spiritual leader.
Samuel wants the people of Israel to know that even as he steps back and allows Saul to emerge as a leader, he will not forsake Israel. He will continue to lead and to serve them, but more in a spiritual way through prayer and teaching. - David Guzik
