1 Samuel 12 Stepping Back
Samuel is stepping back from his role as judge in Israel. He is NOT stepping back from being the voice of God for the people. Or praying for them.
When Israel asked for a king, Samuel KNEW it was a bad move. God was their king, and they rejected Him in doing this. They didn’t surprise God when they did this. We know this for a fact because He included instructions for a king in His Law that He gave to Moses. But it was still a sin when they did it. It was also the ‘beginning of the end’ for Israel. Until this point, when God punished them, He allowed other nations to come into their territory and oppress them. When the rule of kings end, God will allow them to be pulled from their land completely. Yes. They will return, but without the kings.
Samuel is stepping out of the role of judge. Let their new king do it. Samuel will NOT tell them that what they have done is right, because he KNOWS better. He charges them though to follow the Lord; their king and all. Let’s join in the crowd as Samuel makes his last public address as judge of Israel.
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It has been a wonderful day of celebration. The victory over the Ammonites has united the people of Israel. It gave them courage, even though all they had to fight with had been farm implements, sticks, and stones. They saw what a united front, and obedience, could do.
Samuel had stood with Israel during that battle. He was not on the front lines, but he was there when victory was declared. He was also there to stand beside Saul as he chose not to avenge himself on those who had ridiculed his new role.
Samuel has continued to watch the people as they celebrate. He knows that things have changed now. Saul is finally taking on the role he was called to. “It’s time to step back” he tells himself. “I’m old and tired. Let the king they chose lead them.” Samuel also knows that he will continue to be the voice of God. If not in the people’s ears, then in the king’s. He has one last warning to give to all the people before he steps back.
Samuel stands up and moves to the mound where the sacrifices were offered. He raises his arms to get the people’s attention. A hush begins to descend on the gathering as people look up and notice him. It takes a few minutes for the last pockets of conversation to come to an end. When all are quiet, Samuel addresses the crowd.
“Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you…” Samuel motions with his arm to indicate Saul where he is seated. “…And now, behold, the king walks before you,…” Samuel drops his arm as if it weighs a ton. “…and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day…” Samuel spreads his arms wide, inviting any to accuse him. “…Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” (1 Samuel 12:1-3) Samuel drops his arms back to his sides and looks around the crowd.
A look of shock weighs upon the faces of most of the crowd. Samuel has always done what it right and walked in the ways of the Lord. Surely, he knows this. Samuel is asking for confirmation of this from the people. YES. As ONE MAN, they will speak the truth about him.
“You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.” (1 Samuel 12:4) is the congregation’s reply.
Samuel nods his head. He knew this truth, but he needed the people to acknowledge it as well. “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” (1 Samuel 12:5a)
“We are witness.” (1 Samuel 12:5b)
There is no coming back from this oath. The people have given him a clean slate. But he is not finished yet. It’s time to address the people’s unclean slate.
“The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers…” Samuel makes eye contact with as many in the congregation as possible. “…When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place…” Samuel swept his arm around to indicate the very ground they were seated upon. “…But they forgot the Lord their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. And they cried out to the Lord and said,…” Samuel adopted a pleading pose as if he were the one beseeching the Lord for help. “,… ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.’…” Samuel stood tall to indicate victory. “…And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety…” Samuel points his finger at the people. “…And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the Lord your God was your king.” Samuel again raises his arm to indicate Saul. “…And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you…” Samuel raises his arm again in a manner of warning. “…If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well…” Samuel drops his arm and shakes his head slowly. “…But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king…” Samuel rises up again to his full height, raises his hands toward heaven. His voice thunders out a warning. “…Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.” (1 Samuel 12:6-16)
“Lord God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; Your people need to see Your hand this day. They need to understand the wickedness that they have done in demanding a king.” As soon as the words finished falling from Samuels’ lips, there was a GREAT sound of thunder and rain fell from the sky as if an entire lake were being emptied upon the people all at once.
Screams of terror erupted throughout the congregation and then pleading for mercy. “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” (1 Samuel 12:19)
Samuel nodded his head and spread his arms out, motioning the people to calm down. “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself…” The rain began to lessen. Samuel smiled and put his hand to his heart. “…Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way…” Samuel raised his finger again in warning. “…Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:20-25) Another loud clap of thunder filled the place so that it shook even the ground they were seated upon. Then the rain stopped completely. and the sun peeked through the clouds.
Samuel looked around at the people one more time before taking his leave. He stepped down from the knoll and began walking towards his home. His task was done. No one called out to him or chased after him.
The celebration came to a close with the departure of Samuel. The people began cleaning up the places where they had been sitting and breaking into small groups. These groups then made their own way to the roads that would carry them home. NONE would forget this day.
(to be continued)
It is interesting to me how God made allowances for what He KNEW would come. As I was thinking about this, I remembered another ‘sin’ God knew was coming and made provisions for; divorce. God knew the hearts of men and set requirements in place that would guide and guard man’s heart as he struggled with their most intimate relationships. Jesus said plainly that God never intended for men and women to get divorced, but because of their hearts, He made provision for it in the Law. So, He made provision for the time when they would ‘divorce’ Him and seek another to rule over them. This helps me to understand how God had prepared in advance for the sin He KNEW they would partake in eventually.
Father God, You know my heart better than even I do. And You prepared a way for forgiveness for me before I even said my first words. Before my heart even beat, You laid the foundation for our relationship. You KNEW it wouldn’t always be smooth or perfect, but You loved me enough to plan my life anyway. THANK YOU! I KNOW that my life is still FAR from perfect, but I trust You to lead me on the paths You have laid out for me to walk.
