1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

46 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 Editiondiscipline to come would be a result of the sin of the people, not Samuel. Furthermore byhis life and ministry among them Samuel had given the people no reason for demanding aking. He was also seeking to vindicate the type of rule he represented that was God's willfor Israel then."Here, as in 8:11-18, a keyword is the verb take: if kingship was to becharacterized by the tendency to take rather than to give, it was otherwisewith the prophet. As he stepped down from high office, Samuel's handswere empty (verse 5)." 141Samuel's review of God's faithfulness 12:6-12Neither had God given the people occasion to demand a king. He had delivered them inthe past from all their enemies when they confessed their sins, repented, and sought Hishelp. They had been unfaithful to God and had disobeyed His Law, but He remainedfaithful to His commitment and promises to them.Samuel's challenge to obey God 12:13-18The Hebrew grammatical construction translated "the king whom you have chosen,whom you have asked for" (v. 13) shows that the people had not just requested a king butdemanded him out of strong self-will. The key to Israel's future blessing would be herfearing Yahweh, serving Him, listening to His voice through the Mosaic Law and theprophets, and not rebelling against His commands (v. 14). The major message of theBooks of Samuel thus comes through again clearly in Samuel's final words to the nation,as we would expect. For the Israelites, obedience to the Mosaic Covenant would result infertility of all kinds (cf. Deut. 28:1-14).God confirmed the truth of Samuel's words supernaturally when He sent rain during thewheat harvest, the driest period of the year. The rain symbolized the blessing of God forobedience (cf. Deut. 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 donot appreciate rain during harvests, and a warning of future potential judgment.Samuel's reassurance of the people 12:19-25The people's rebellion against God was not something they could undo. Consequenceswould follow. Nevertheless Samuel counseled them to follow and serve the Lordfaithfully from then on. They should not fear that God would abandon them because oftheir sin of demanding a king. He would not cast them off because He had promised tostay with them and had committed Himself to them (Exod. 19:5-6). His name (reputation)would suffer if He abandoned them.Not only did the Israelites need to walk in obedience to God, they also needed thesupportive intercession of Samuel that would bring down God's enablement so they could141 David Payne, pp. 57-58.