1 - 25 Samuel's Farewell SpeechSamuel is now old and he gives a farewell speech, saying that he hasn't cheated or oppressed anyone (they agree). He reminds the Isrealites of their past (from Jacob to Moses to Samuel). Then he reminds them that it was they who demanded a king. He says, "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! 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 fathers."
Samuel calls for thunder and rain and it comes. The people want Samuel to pray for them because they have done evil asking for a king. Samuel tells them not to be afraid even though they have done evil "For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own" just don't keep doing evil - if they do that, they will be swept away.
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How would WE fare if we stood before everyone we knew and asked, "Who have I wronged?" This also made me think that if (in a perfect world) everyone followed God's law and feared his justice then we wouldn't need police or a judicial system.
Samuel reminds them that, king or no king, God is their king and his justice prevails still. The king is just a "middle man".
Samuel asked God to send rain and thunder as punishment for their sin of asking for an earthly king. They were afraid, realized their sin, and begged Samuel to pray for fogiveness for them.
He replied with several good points. He said that they shouldn't be afraid because, in spite of all their sin, they never turned away from God. This is the WORST thing a believer can do.
22 "For the sake of his great name" God does have a reputation to uphold. His name must be greatest in heaven and on earth. He wouldn't have "chosen" Israel, brought them this far, then destroy them or abandon them. If the people abandon HIM then they are subject to His justice (which still proves his power and preserves his reputation).
24 "If you persist in doing evil, you will be swept away." also a good reminder for us.
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