"You have done a foolish thing," Samuel said.
"You have not kept the command the LORDyour God gave you; if you had,
he would have established your kingdomover Israel for all time."
1 Samuel 13:13 - P74
9 But they forgot the LORD their God; so he sold theminto the hand of Sisera, the commander of the armyofHazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the kingof Moab, who fought against them. - P78
10 They cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We havesinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baalsand the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the handsof our enemies, and we will serve you."
- P78
14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him anddo not rebel against his commands, and if both youand the king who reigns over you follow the LORD yourGod-good!
14 Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do notrebel against the LORD‘S commands, then both you and your king will show that yourecognize the LORD as your God. - P79
15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebelagainst his commands, his hand will be against you, asit was against your ancestors."
15 But if you rebel against the LORD‘s commands and refuse to listen to him, then hishand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors." - P79
Samuel addresses all Israel and says he has never taken anything from them.
He speaks of all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for Israel. - P77
Eventhough the Lord is Israel‘s king who delivered them from their enemies, thepeople sought another king. Now the Lord has set a king over them. If thepeople rebel against God, His hand will be against them. - P77
Samuel announces that his days as the leader of Israel are coming to anend, now that the people have a king to lead them. - P80
But this new era forIsrael is also a departure from the days when the Lord was their king,
who rescued their ancestors from Egypt and delivered them from theirenemies. - P80
Despite God‘s care for them, Israel rejected the Lord‘s divineleadership and asked for a human king. - P80
In His amazing grace, Godanswered their prayer and promises not to forsake Israel as long as theyserve and obey Him. - P80
Even after Israel‘s failures, rebellion, and rejection,
God does not reject His people but still calls them His own. - P80
This reminds us of God‘s everlasting
covenant with those He has adopted intoHis family. - P80
On account of Jesus‘ perfect obedience and act of sacrifice,
we are able to enjoy God‘s unfailing commitment and love. - P80
Dear Jesus, You are greater and stronger than all our fears. We trust You becauseYou are always able and willing to help us. - P81
Help us encourage one another tolook to You when we are afraid. In Your name, amen. - P81
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