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12 But when you⁺ saw that Nahash (serpent) king of the Ammonites (tribal) was moving against you⁺, you⁺ said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} was your⁺ king. 13 Now here is the king you⁺ have chosen, the one you⁺ requested. Behold, the LORD {YHWH} has placed a king over you⁺. 14 If you⁺ fear the LORD {YHWH} and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you⁺ do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you⁺ and the king who rules over you⁺ follow the LORD your⁺ God, then all will be well. 15 But if you⁺ disobey the LORD {YHWH} and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you⁺ as it was against your⁺ fathers [against your king]. 16 Now, therefore, present yourselves and see this great thing that the LORD {YHWH} will do before your⁺ eyes. 17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD {YHWH} to send thunder and rain, so that you⁺ will know and see what a great evil you⁺ have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.” 18 So Samuel (his name is El) called to the LORD {YHWH}, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 They pleaded with Samuel (his name is El), “Pray to the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel (his name is El) replied. “Even though you⁺ have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD {YHWH}, but serve the LORD with all your⁺ heart. 21 Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty. 22 Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD {YHWH} will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you⁺ His own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD {YHWH} by ceasing to pray for you⁺. And I will continue to teach you⁺ the good and right way. 24 Above all, fear the LORD {YHWH} and serve Him faithfully with all your⁺ heart; consider what great things He has done for you⁺. 25 But if you⁺ persist in doing evil, both you⁺ and your⁺ king will be swept away.” 1 Samuel 12:12-25, Berean Annotated Bible. Public domain.
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