Samuel’s Word to Israel

INTRODUCTION: The Israelites were determined to have a king like all the nations and God had granted their request. However, in this chapter, Samuel establishes guidelines whereby they may still be able to serve the Lord and continue to receive His blessings. This chapter gives great hope to those who have some sin or failure in their past. God works with us where we are, and not only where we should have been.

1. A WORD OF WITNESS (1 Samuel 12:1-5)
1. The Witness of His Faithfulness (1 Samuel 12:1-2)
1. Before all Israel (1 Samuel 12:1)
2. Unto old age (1 Samuel 12:2a; Proverbs 16:31)
3. From childhood (1 Samuel 12:2b; Proverbs 20:11; 2 Timothy 3:15)
2. The Witness of His Walk (1 Samuel 12:3-4)
1. The witnesses (1 Samuel 12:3)
1. Before the people
2. Before the Lord (see Romans 1:9)
3. Before his anointed; NOTE: his anointed is Saul the king (1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Samuel 1:14).
2. The claim of the prophet (1 Samuel 12:3)
1. No theft
2. No fraud; DEFINITION - defraud: to take away property, rights, etc., by fraud or cheat (Leviticus 19:13)
3. No oppression
4. No bribe
5. Note: The prophet asks five questions. Five is a number associated with death and judgment.
3. The consent of the people (1 Samuel 12:4)
3. The Witness of His Testimony (1 Samuel 12:5)
1. By the Lord
2. Against the people
3. By the king his anointed
4. The agreement of the people
2. A WORD OF WARNING (1 Samuel 12:6-19)
1. Concerning a Righteous God (1 Samuel 12:6-7)
1. A God who promotes (1 Samuel 12:6a; Psalm 75:6)
2. A God who preserves (1 Samuel 12:6b)
3. A God who performs (1 Samuel 12:7; Psalm 46:10)
2. Concerning a Forgetful People (1 Samuel 12:8-11; cp. Judges 2:7-19)
1. They were blessed (1 Samuel 12:8).
2. They forgot (1 Samuel 12:9a; Psalm 106:13, 21).
3. They were sold (1 Samuel 12:9b).
4. They cried unto the Lord (1 Samuel 12:10).
1. They confessed their sins.
1. We have sinned.
2. We have forsaken the Lord.
3. We have served Baalim and Ashtaroth.
2. They prayed for deliverance.
3. They promised to serve God.
5. They were delivered (1 Samuel 12:11a).
6. They were secure in the land (1 Samuel 12:11b).
7. Note: This is a common cycle. Look at Psalm 107 for several instances of the same pattern. Two constant themes exist throughout the history of mankind: the failure of man, and the faithfulness of God.
3. Concerning a Holy Responsibility (1 Samuel 12:12-15)
1. Responsible for their decision (1 Samuel 12:12-13); NOTE: After the Lord had delivered them in so many things, they ran to be like the world when the latest problem arose. Believers do the same today.
1. Trusting in man (1 Samuel 12:12a)
2. Replacing God with a human king (1 Samuel 12:12b; Judges 8:23)
3. Receiving their request (1 Samuel 12:13); NOTE: If we want something bad enough, the Lord may give it to us even though it may not be His will.
2. Responsible to their God (1 Samuel 12:14-15)
1. The blessing of obedience (1 Samuel 12:14)
1. Fear the Lord.
2. Serve Him.
3. Obey His voice.
4. Rebel not.
5. Continue following the Lord.
2. The curse of rebellion Gods hand against you (1 Samuel 12:15)
4. Concerning a Mighty God (1 Samuel 12:16-19)
1. Rain in wheat harvest usually a very dry time (1 Samuel 12:16-17; Proverbs 26:1)
2. The people feared (1 Samuel 12:18).
1. The Lord
2. Samuel
3. The people sought the prayers of Samuel (1 Samuel 12:19).
3. A WORD OF WISDOM (1 Samuel 12:20-25)
1. The Wisdom of Obedience (1 Samuel 12:20-21)
1. Serve the Lord (1 Samuel 12:20).
1. Without fear (Exodus 20:20)
2. Continue to follow Him.
3. With all your heart (Deuteronomy 10:12)
2. Turn not aside (1 Samuel 12:21).
1. To leave the Lord
2. To seek vain things (Colossians 2:8)
2. The Wisdom of Faith (1 Samuel 12:22)
1. In the presence of God (Hebrews 13:5)
2. In the protection of God (Hebrews 13:6)
1. His pleasure
2. His people
3. The Wisdom of Prayer (1 Samuel 12:23a)
1. Without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
2. For others (1 Timothy 2:1)
4. The Wisdom of Training (1 Samuel 12:23b-25; 2 Timothy 2:2)
1. The teacher (1 Samuel 12:23b; 1 Timothy 3:2)
2. The lesson (1 Samuel 12:24a; Psalm 143:10)
1. Fear the Lord.
2. Serve Him in truth.
3. Serve Him with all your heart.
3. The purpose (1 Samuel 12:24b; Psalm 143:5-6)
4. The risk (1 Samuel 12:25; cp. Isaiah 1:18-20)

CONCLUSION: Have you missed God’s will in the past? It is not too late to please Him. You can still continue in His way and He will still bless. But you must dedicate to follow Him now and give Him all your heart.