Samuel was now giving up the leadership of God's people Israel on account of their now having the king they had asked for. He had not robbed anyone, nor had he been dishonest in his dealings with them; this they acknowledged. God had delivered the people out of Egypt, and brought them into Canaan, but when they forgot Him, He sent enemies who humbled them; Sisera, the Philistines and the Moabites. These were the nearby enemies; there were other enemies not mentioned from more distant lands. Then the people cried unto God and said,
"We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, . . but deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve Thee." God answered them by raising up deliverers who were used in setting the people free again.
Now, with the approach of a new enemy, Nahash the Ammonite, they had demanded a king, and their demand had been granted, even though Samuel had told them, "The Lord your God was your King."
If God were feared, served, obeyed and not rebelled against, the people should still be under His blessing and guidance; but if they were rebellious, His hand would be against them, as it was against their fathers. God gave a sign: He sent thunder and rain during wheat harvest (verse 18), which confirmed Samuel's words, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
God would not give them up, and Samuel would not cease to pray for them. This was grace and love on God's part to a rebellious and self-willed people. Samuel shone here in self-forgetfulness; he was rejected as Israel's leader but he manifested a loving interest in the people of God—an example to all who care for the children of God in our own day. He said to them "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you" (verse 24).
There is a marked similarity between Samuel's words in this chapter, and the apostle Paul's farewell to the Ephesian Christians in Acts 20:17-3517And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:17‑35). Both of these men had seen the failure, humanly speaking, of that which God had established; each had been an example of godliness before the people, and both of them warned of the dangers that lay before them. Would that these warnings were more really heeded!
"The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity (love) among yourselves." 1 Peter 4:77But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. (1 Peter 4:7).