1 Samuel 12:13-25 ▼

13 So now, behold, the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.

14 If you will fear Yahweh and serve Him and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of Yahweh, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow Yahweh your God.

15 But if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the command of Yahweh, then the hand of Yahweh will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16 Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which Yahweh will do before your eyes.

17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the eyes of Yahweh by asking for yourselves a king.”

18 So Samuel called to Yahweh, and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.

19 Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.

21 And you must not turn aside, for then you would go after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless.

22 For Yahweh will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because Yahweh has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and upright way.

24 Only fear Yahweh and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for see what great things He has done for you.

25 But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.”