1 Samuel

Samuel’ Farewell

Samuel spoke to the Israelites: “Listen, I have paid attention to all that you have told me and have given you a king.

From now on, the king is here to lead you. As for me, I am old, and my hair is gray. My sons are with you. I have led you from my youth and continue to do so to this day.

Now, I am here. Answer me before the Lord and his anointed: Whose ox have I taken? Whose ass have I stolen? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? Have I taken a bribe from anyone? If so, tell me, and I will restore it to you.”

But they said: “You have not cheated or oppressed us; you have not stolen anything from anyone.”

Then Samuel said: “The Lord is a witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they answered, “He is a witness.”

Samuel then said to the people: “The Lord is witness, he who sent Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt.

Now, stand still, that I may confront you with all the deeds of the Lord who saved you and your ancestors.

Jacob went to Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed your ancestors. Then they cried to the Lord, and he sent Moses and Aaron. They brought your ancestors out of Egypt and brought them to this land.

But they forgot the Lord, their God, and he delivered them into the hands of Sisera, commander of the army of Jabin, king of Hazor, into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the king of Moab who fought against them.

Then your ancestors cried to the Lord and said: ‘We have sinned, forsaking the Lord and serving the Baals and Astartes. But now, deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’

And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hands of your enemies from all sides so that you lived in safety in your land.

Now, when you saw that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, attacked you, you said to me: ‘No! Let a king rule over us,’ although the Lord your God was your king.

Yet the Lord has given you the king you have chosen and asked for.

May you fear and serve the Lord! May you listen to him and not go against his commandments! May both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord, your God!

But if you do not listen to the Lord and break his commandments, his hand will be against you and your king.

Now, wait awhile to see the wonder the Lord will do before you.

Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call on the Lord that he may send thunder and rain. So you shall know that you have gone very wrong in asking for another king.”

Samuel called on the Lord, who sent thunder and rain that day. Then, all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

The people said to Samuel: “Pray to the Lord, your God, for your servants so we may not die, for we have added to our sins this evil of asking for a king.”

Samuel told the people: “Fear not! You have done evil, but now you must not turn away from the Lord. Serve him, instead, with all your heart.

Do not go after these useless and vain idols that cannot save.

The Lord will not cast away his people because of his great Name, since he has been pleased to make you, his people.

As for me, how can I commit the sin of ceasing to pray for you? I will continue to guide you in the right way.

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for you have seen the wonderful things he has done for you.

But if you persist in wickedness, you and your king shall be swept away.”