1 Samuel

1 Samuel 12:1-16

Saul's leadership was now proven in delivering a great victory over the Ammonites.  With all the tribes represented Samuel led them to Gilgal for this coronation ceremony.  Samuel speaks to them and steps down as their Judge and transfers power to the king.  In doing so, Samuel is reviewing his ministry before the people; in essence Samuel is saying his hands are clean and anything that happens from then on can't be blamed on him.  The people agree and tell him that he has never done them wrong.  Samuel reasons with them that God had heard them and brought them out of Egypt with Moses and Aaron.  When the forefathers forgot God, He gave them over to their enemies.  The permissive will of God allowed them to have the king they cried out for.  If they fear the Lord and don't rebel then things will go good.  If they do rebel then the hand of the Lord will be against them as it was with their fathers.  We might notice how similar this language and setting are to Moses transferring power to Joshua and the warnings of Deuteronomy to the children to remain faithful.

1 Samuel 12:17-19

The people were called to stand and see.  Samuel calls to the Lord for rain during harvest to show that it was an evil thing when they asked for a king.  The people likely scoffed at Samuel, after all everything was working out good for them.  How could this be bad?  They could not see that their wickedness was great, so a sign was given.  This was to reveal that their motivation was wrong and it wasn't God's timing. 

The people saw the sign of the thunder and rain and greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.  They saw their sin, but it was too late to avoid the consequences.  We might find our self in this place from time to time.  What can we do?  All we can do is learn our lessons well, trust in the Lord and make sure we don't repeat the failure.  The key is to follow and trust the Lord and not turn away.  

1 Samuel 12:20-25

The people wanted a king to be like the other nations; to have a man stand strong as a leader and be united under him.  And the Lord had a man on the way to fill this role in His time.  When we run ahead of God's plan or seek our own plans we end up chasing empty things; things which offer no profit, can't deliver and are nothing.  Samuel told them not to turn from the Lord.  There is nothing to be gained by turning away.  Regardless of their sin, no other god or idol could help them.  God's grace is on them because they were His people.  We must trust in God regardless or what we see and feel and how we measure with the rest of the world.  He will not forsake His children. 

©2015 Doug Ford