Samuel's farewell speech

1Samuel told the Israelites:

I have given you a king, just as you asked. 2You have seen how I have led you ever since I was a young man. I'm already old. My hair is grey, and my own sons are grown up. Now you must see how well your king will lead you.

3Let me ask this. Have I ever taken anyone's ox or donkey or forced you to give me anything? Have I ever hurt anyone or taken a bribe to give an unfair decision? Answer me so the LORD and his chosen king can hear you. And if I have done any of these things, I will give it all back.

4“No,” the Israelites answered. “You've never cheated us in any way!”

5Samuel said, “The LORD and his chosen king are witnesses to what you have said.”

“That's true,” they replied.

6Then Samuel told them:12.6: Ex 6.26.

The LORD brought your ancestors out of Egypt and chose Moses and Aaron to be your leaders. 7Now the LORD will be your judge. So stand here and listen, while I remind you how often the LORD has saved you and your ancestors from your enemies.

8After Jacob went to Egypt, your ancestors cried out to the LORD for help, and he sent Moses and Aaron. They led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this land.12.8: Ex 2.23. 9But your ancestors forgot the LORD, so he let them be defeated by the Philistines, the king of Moab, and Sisera, the commander of Hazor's army.12.9: a Jg 4.2; b Jg 13.1; c Jg 3.12.

10Again your ancestors cried out to the LORD for help. They said, “We have sinned! We stopped worshipping you, our LORD, and started worshipping Baal and Astarte. But now, if you rescue us from our enemies, we will worship you.”12.10: Jg 10.10-15.

11The LORD sent Gideon,12.11 Gideon: The Hebrew text has “Jerubbaal”, another name for “Gideon”. Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel to rescue you from your enemies, and you didn't have to worry about being attacked.12.11: a Jg 7.1; b Jg 4.6; c Jg 11.29; d 1 S 3.20. 12Then you saw that King Nahash of Ammon was going to attack you. And even though the LORD your God is your king, you told me, “This time it's different. We want a king to rule us!”12.12: 1 S 8.19.

13You asked for a king, and you chose one. Now he stands here where all of you can see him. But it was really the LORD who made him your king. 14If you and your king want to be followers of the LORD, you must worship him12.14 If…him: Or “If you and your king want things to go well for you, then you must worship the LORD.” and do what he says. Don't be stubborn! 15If you're stubborn and refuse to obey the LORD, he will turn against you and your king.12.15 and your king: One ancient translation; Hebrew “and your ancestors” or “as he was against your ancestors”.

16Just stand here and watch the LORD show his mighty power. 17Isn't this the dry season?12.17 the dry season: The Hebrew text has “time for wheat harvest”, which was usually in the spring, the beginning of the dry season. I'm going to ask the LORD to send a thunderstorm. When you see it, you will realize how wrong you were to ask for a king.

18Samuel prayed, and that same day the LORD sent a thunderstorm. Everyone was afraid of the LORD and of Samuel. 19They told Samuel, “Please, pray to the LORD your God for us! We don't want to die. We have sinned many times in the past, and we were very wrong to ask for a king.”

20Samuel answered:

Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the LORD and worship him with all your heart. 21Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble. 22But the LORD has chosen you to be his own people. He will always take care of you so that everyone will know how great he is.

23I would be disobeying the LORD if I stopped praying for you! I will always teach you how to live right. 24You also must obey the LORD—you must worship him with all your heart and remember the great things he has done for you. 25But if you and your king do evil, the LORD will wipe you out.