No Unfinished Business

By Alessandra Velsor

“Samuel said to them, ‘The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.’ ‘He is witness,’ they said. Then Samuel said to the people, ‘It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your ancestors.”—1 Samuel 12:5–7 (NIV)

Are you currently in a transitional season in your life? Even if you’re not, today’s reading serves as a reminder of how to finish well when that time comes.

This passage is known as Samuel’s farewell speech to the people of Israel. Although Samuel’s role as prophet has diminished, he’s not fully retiring from ministry. This also serves as a reminder for us Christians that we’ll always be on a mission for Jesus until our last breath! Samuel remains an advisor to the new king of Israel, Saul, and also is the one to find his replacement.

This is a bittersweet moment for Samuel because it wasn’t supposed to go this way. The people of Israel are choosing a flawed human as king over their perfect Creator who already rules over all the earth. This takes place at the peak of Saul’s popularity as he just led Israel to victory over the Ammonites in the previous chapter. Saul’s reputation of strength and resilience is what the Israelites think they need. In reality, they’re rejecting what they do need, and Samuel displays each and every characteristic in verses 1–17.

Samuel makes a bold move of integrity by asking them, with God and the anointed king as witnesses, if he has transgressed as a judge. He goes as far as to say that if he sinned against them without knowledge, now is the time to make it right. They acknowledge Samuel has been a blameless and godly leader, even stripping his corrupt sons from authority and placing them “with the people.” Although Samuel wasn’t always perfect and showed preference to his sons, he did lead a life of humility and integrity from when he was a young child.

The story could have ended here, but Samuel truly wants no unfinished business between him and the people of Israel. Now, it’s Samuel’s turn to speak and, in doing so, he gives them a little history lesson about their tendency to stray from God when the Lord has shown nothing but faithfulness in His countless attempts to deliver them from their oppressors. He’s not leaving any words unsaid as he confronts them for their pattern of abandoning God and all His precepts. Despite their unfaithfulness, God delivered Israel and sent Gideon or Jerub-Baal (Judges 6–7), Barak (Judges 4–5), Jephthah (Judges 11–12), and Samuel to their rescue (Hebrews 11:32–34).

Samuel’s trust in the Lord is evident as he rebukes Israel for their lack of contentment. Israel begged for a secular solution to their problem, as they wanted an earthly king to fight for them without understanding the severity of their request. They wanted to be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:20). God already knew their impatience for the Messiah would cause this (Deuteronomy 17:14–15). But the Bible always reminds us to never put our trust in kings or the government. Our trust should always be in God (Psalm 146:3, 118:9, 60:11) because God will always be the King (Exodus 15:18; Psalm 10:16, 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10).

Finally, Samuel gives them a warning of obedience in verses 14 and 15. Because of God’s mercy and grace, God didn’t punish them for their rejection but granted them with their request. However, next time will be different and God expects them to submit to His appointed leaders (Romans 12:1–2). Sadly, Saul doesn’t adhere to these warnings (1 Samuel 15:11).

Pause: What does it mean to “finish well?”

Practice: Reflect on a time you transitioned into something new. After reading today’s passage, would you have done anything differently? What will you do the next time that time comes?

Pray: Father, thank You for the reminder to walk in integrity, to be faithful to You, to trust You with all my heart, and to obey Your commands. Thank You for the mercy and grace You display to us when we fail You and stray away from Your gentle guidance. Keep us focused on You as we continue to walk this journey of life. Amen.