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Samuel’s Word to Israel

1Samuel 12:1-25

 

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 (12:1-6)

    1. The Witness of His Faithfulness (12:1-2)

      1. Before all Israel (v.1)
      2. Unto old age (v.2a; Proverbs 16:31)
      3. From childhood (v.2b; Proverbs 20:11; 2Timothy 3:15)

    2. The Witness of His Walk (12:3-4)

      1. The witnesses (v.3)
        1. Before the people
        2. Before the Lord (see Romans 1:9)
        3. Before "his anointed"; NOTE: "his anointed" is Saul the king (10:1; 2Samuel 1:14)
      2. The claim of the prophet (v.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
      3. The consent of the people (v.4)

    3. The Witness of His Testimony (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 (12:6-19)

    1. Concerning a Righteous God (12:6-7)

      1. A God who promotes (v.6a; Psalm 75:6)
      2. A God who preserves (v.6b)
      3. A God who performs (v.7a; Psalm 46:10)

    2. Concerning a Forgetful People (12:8-11; cp. Judges 2:7-19)

      1. They were blessed (v.8)
      2. They forgot (v.9a; Psalm 106:13, 21)
      3. They were sold (v.9b)
      4. They cried unto the Lord (v.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 (v.11a)
      6. They were secure in the land (v.11b)

    3. Concerning a Holy Responsibility (12:12-15)

      1. Responsible for their decision (v.12-13); NOTE: After had delivered them in so many things, they ran to be like the world when the latest problem stuck up its head. Believers do the same today.
        1. Trusting in man (v.12a)
        2. Replacing God with a human king (v.12b; Judges 8:23)
        3. Receiving their request (v.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 (v.14-15)

        1. The blessing of obedience (v.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 – God’s hand against you (v.15)

    4. Concerning a Mighty God (12:16-19)

      1. Rain in wheat harvest – usually a very dry time (v.16-17; Proverbs 26:1)
      2. The people feared (v.18)
        1. The Lord
        2. Samuel
      3. The people sought the prayers of Samuel (v.19)

  3. A WORD OF WISDOM (12:20-25)

    1. The Wisdom of Obedience (12:20-21)

      1. Serve the Lord (v.20)
        1. Without fear (Exodus 20:20)
        2. Continue to follow Him
        3. With all your heart (Deuteronomy 10:12)
      2. Turn not aside (v.21)
        1. To leave the Lord
        2. To seek vain things (Colossians 2:8)

    2. The Wisdom of Faith (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 (12:23a)

      1. Without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17)
      2. For others (1Timothy 2:1)

    4. The Wisdom of Training (12:23b-25; 2Timothy 2:2)

      1. The teacher (v.23b; 1Timothy 3:2)
      2. The lesson (v.24a; Psalm 143:10)
        1. Fear the Lord
        2. Serve Him in truth
        3. Serve Him with all your heart
      3. The purpose (v.24b; Psalm 143:5-6)
      4. The risk (v.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 Him now and give Him all your heart.

 

 

 

 

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