1 Samuel 12:12-18
12 But when you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon was coming against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us!’ Yet the Lord your God was your king.
13 And now, behold, the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the Lord has put a king over you.
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God.
15 But if you do not listen to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, even as it was against your fathers.
16 Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the Lord is going to do before your eyes.
17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the Lord, that He will send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the Lord, by asking for yourselves a king.”
18 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
Advice for Appointing a King
Nahash the king of the Ammonites
How the people of Israel demanded a king was written in Chapter 8. In today’s passage, for the first time, it is explained that the reason the people sought a king was due to the invasion of Nahash the king of the Ammonites. Initially, Nahash probably started attacking the Israel cities on the east bank of the Jordan River. Eventually, he besieged Jabesh-gilead (Ch. 11). It was after this that Saul, who was in Gibeah, summoned the people of Israel. (1) Samuel points out that it was a sin for the people to demand a human king when the Lord Himself would save them as their King. They rejected the Lord, who is the King of Israel, and desired a human king. (2) The Lord agreed to set a king over the people. This is concerned as “permissive will.” Saul was established as king in such manner. (3) Even after the king was established, the Mosaic Law continued to be in effect. To receive the Lord’s blessings, both the king and the people must faithfully follow the Law. This is what it means to obey the voice of the Lord. (4) If they go against the Lord’s command, the Lord will cast judgment upon the people, just as He did on their ancestors.
Samuel’s prayer
Samuel seeks a miracle to make clear that the words which he speaks is indeed from the Lord. (1) It was the time of wheat harvest, which corresponds to late May to June in modern times. It does not rain in Israel during that season. (2) However, Samuel called upon the Lord. The Lord answered his prayer and sent thunder and rain. (3) This was a miracle of timing. Thunder and rain came at a time when it is normally impossible. As a result, the people learned how great their sin was and greatly feared the Lord. Without this, many most likely would not have realized the seriousness of their sin. There may be times when God will give the things, we stubbornly insist on having, through His “permissive will.” However, even if our wish comes true, it may actually grieve God. Let’s examine ourselves to see if we are in any way committing the foolish sin of trying to manipulate God.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please open my spiritual eyes, so that I may clearly see Your great presence. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.