When God is Not King
Read 1 Samuel 12:1-25
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23-24)
About Chapter 12 - Transition in Leadership and Structure
This passage marks a significant shift, not just in leadership but also in governance. It moves from a theocracy—where God is King and His will is communicated through prophets, judges, and priests—to a monarchy, with the installation of a human king like the surrounding nations. Samuel, the last judge, leads the Israelites through a profound reflection on their past, present, and future.
Transition with a Clear Conscience
Transitions can be challenging, especially when one feels "ousted" from a position. Yet Samuel exhibited humility, recognizing that he ultimately served God, the true King. In obedience, he completed the transition with integrity, leaving with a clear conscience. He boldly declared that he had served God and Israel faithfully, without wrongdoing, whether intentional or unintentional.
This underscores two key qualities of God’s servants: humility in submitting to God’s will and credibility in living a life of integrity. These hallmarks define a leader who honours God through selfless service.
Don’t Forget Your Past
Human nature tends to forget commitments made in desperate times when prosperity comes. The Israelites had pledged to serve God, who delivered them from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:3-4). Yet, when faced with the threat of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, they said to Samuel:
“No, but a king shall reign over us,” although the Lord your God was your king.” (1 Samuel 12:12)
Their demand for a king reflected a sin of covetousness, as they desired to be like other nations, rather than relying on God’s kingship. This serves as a reminder to honour past commitments and remain faithful to God, especially during times of prosperity and change.
Don’t Forget Your God
Even with a king to lead them, the Israelites were warned not to emulate the patterns of other nations. Samuel exhorted them to remember the Lord, whom they had pledged to serve with all their hearts (1 Samuel 12:20).
This is a lesson for all believers: while seasons of life may change and priorities may shift, one thing must remain constant—our commitment to pursuing God’s holiness. We must continually remind ourselves of His sovereignty and our calling to live in faithful obedience.
God Will Not Abandon You
Despite their rebellion, Samuel offered a message of hope and assurance:
“The Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.” (1 Samuel 12:22)
This demonstrates God’s unwavering faithfulness, even when His people fall short. It is a reminder of His covenant love, grounded not in our merit but in His character and purposes.
The Call to Servanthood
Samuel’s commitment to serve God and the people did not waver, even after the transition. He declared:
“Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23)
True servanthood seeks to please the Master. If God does not give up on His people, neither should His servants. Like Samuel, we are called to walk alongside others, praying for them and teaching them the ways of the Lord. Our steadfastness in service encourages others to remain steadfast in their faith.
Reflection:
This passage reminds us that transitions are inevitable, whether in leadership, roles, or seasons of life. While our circumstances may change, God remains constant. His faithfulness calls us to respond with humility, integrity, and steadfast devotion.
As we navigate life’s transitions, let us not forget the past faithfulness of God, nor abandon our commitment to Him. Instead, let us continue to pursue His holiness, trusting in His promises and reflecting His steadfast love in our service to others.
1 Samuel 12:1-25
12 And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. 3 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.” 4 They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand.” 5 And he said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”
6 And Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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. 10 And they cried out to the Lord and said, ‘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.’ 11 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. 12 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.13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 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. 15 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. 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. 17 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.” 18 So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
19 And all the people said to Samuel, “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.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “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. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 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.23 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.24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”