A Few Words Before I GoNäide

Samuel continued to seek the best for the people

“Fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)

When Samuel was still a young boy, he “was established as a prophet of the Lord”. Over and over, Samuel called the people to repentance when they were unfaithful to God. He also functioned as a priest and a judge (1 Samuel 7:15). In short, he was Israel’s spiritual and political leader.

But when Samuel was old, the people asked for a king. This request upset Samuel, since he felt the people rejected God’s leadership. However, God told him to give the people a king if they insisted on it.

When Samuel’s time of leading the nation came to an end, he promised to keep praying for the people and instruct them “in the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23). Moreover, he reminded them of the great things that God had done for them. It was his deepest desire that the people would fear the Lord with all their heart, since he knew this was the only way to lasting happiness.

Samuel felt rejected by the people and concerned about their decision to ask for a king. However, he did not leave offended, but remained available as the people’s spiritual leader, while stepping back as a judge.

Have you ever been rejected by someone for whom you did your utmost? How did you say goodbye?