Samuel now makes a farewell speech. Now that Israel has a king he thinks his work is over. However, we know that he still has an awful lot to do, including rebuking Saul and anointing David. Events do not determine whether or not we are significant, but whether or not we obey the Lord. It is the Lord's will that prevails.
Samuel reminds the people that he acted righteously all the time that he was leading the nation. Some of our leaders would do well to follow this model! The people agree that this is a fair reflection of his time as leader.
Then Samuel reminds the people of their history, of all the things that the Lord has done for them, starting with the rescue from Egypt. He also reminds them of the times that Israel sinned against God and the consequences of this.
The people wanted a king, but Samuel tells them that the basic rules of the game have in fact not changed at all. If they follow the Lord things will go well, if they rebel against the Lord things will not go well. The same applies to our nation. We can reject our Christian heritage if we wish, but we will have to take the consequences. If we adopt laws and practices that go against the Lord's ways then things will not go well for us.
Samuel then demonstrated most dramatically that it is the Lord who has true power.
The people had not escaped an obligation to the Lord by having a king, but notice that neither had they put themselves beyond redemption. If they turned to the Lord and trusted and obeyed Him they would be saved. Likewise, this nation can still be saved if we will only turn to the Lord.
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