12Then Samuel addressed all Israel: "I have done as you asked and given you a king.H8050H559H3478H8085H6963H559H4427H44282Your king is now your leader. I stand here before you—an old, gray-haired man—and my sons serve you. I have served as your leader from the time I was a boy to this very day.H4428H1980H6440H2204H7867H1121H1980H6440H5271H31173Now testify against me in the presence of the LORD and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong."H6030H3068H4899H7794H3947H2543H3947H6231H7533H3027H3724H5956H5869H77254"No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe."H559H6231H7533H3947H3972H376H30275"The LORD and his anointed one are my witnesses today," Samuel declared, "that my hands are clean." "Yes, he is a witness," they replied.H559H3068H5707H4899H5707H3117H4672H3972H3027H559H57076"It was the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron," Samuel continued. "He brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt.H8050H559H5971H3068H6213H4872H175H5927H1H5927H776H47147Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors.H3320H8199H6440H3068H6666H3068H6213H18"When the Israelites were in Egypt and cried out to the LORD, he sent Moses and Aaron to rescue them from Egypt and to bring them into this land.H3290H935H4714H1H2199H3068H3068H7971H4872H175H3318H1H4714H3427H47259But the people soon forgot about the LORD their God, so he handed them over to Sisera, the commander of Hazor's army, and also to the Philistines and to the king of Moab, who fought against them.H7911H3068H430H4376H3027H5516H8269H6635H2674H3027H6430H3027H4428H4124H389810"Then they cried to the LORD again and confessed, 'We have sinned by turning away from the LORD and worshiping the images of Baal and Ashtoreth. But we will worship you and you alone if you will rescue us from our enemies.'H2199H3068H559H2398H5800H3068H5647H1168H6252H5337H3027H341H564711Then the LORD sent Gideon, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel to save you, and you lived in safety.H3068H7971H3378H917H3316H8050H5337H3027H341H5439H3427H98312"But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammon, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king.H7200H5176H4428H1121H5983H935H559H4428H4427H3068H430H442813All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the LORD has granted your request.H4428H977H7592H3068H5414H442814"Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God.H3372H3068H5647H8085H6963H4784H6310H3068H4428H4427H310H3068H43015But if you rebel against the LORD's commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.H8085H6963H3068H4784H6310H3068H3027H3068H116"Now stand here and see the great thing the LORD is about to do.H1571H3320H7200H1419H1697H3068H6213H586917You know that it does not rain at this time of the year during the wheat harvest. I will ask the LORD to send thunder and rain today. Then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking the LORD for a king!"H2406H7105H3117H7121H3068H5414H6963H4306H3045H7200H7451H7227H6213H5869H3068H7592H442818So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the LORD and of Samuel.H8050H7121H3068H3068H5414H6963H4306H3117H5971H3966H3372H3068H805019"Pray to the LORD your God for us, or we will die!" they all said to Samuel. "For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king."H5971H559H8050H6419H5650H3068H430H4191H3254H2403H7451H7592H442820"Don't be afraid," Samuel reassured them. "You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don't turn your back on him.H8050H559H5971H3372H6213H7451H5493H310H3068H5647H3068H382421Don't go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!H5493H310H8414H3276H5337H841422The LORD will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the LORD to make you his very own people.H3068H5203H5971H1419H8034H2974H3068H6213H597123"As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.H595H2486H2398H3068H2308H6419H3384H2896H3477H187024But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.H3372H3068H5647H571H3824H7200H143125But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away."H7489H7489H5595H4428
in Egypt and cried out to the LORD, he sent Moses and Aaron to rescue them from Egypt and to bring them into this land.H3290
