ADULT STS LESSON 202 SAMUEL REPROVES ISRAEL
MEMORY VERSE:
“And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king” (1 Samuel 12:19).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 12:1–25
Following the conquest of the Ammonites in the previous chapter, all the children of Israel approved and installed Saul as their king at Gilgal. While they and their new king rejoiced and offered peace offerings in that gathering, Samuel knew that all was not well with them. Beginning with their ill-advised request for a king, he reminded Israel at Gilgal that the institution of kingship was not as a result of any misdeed on his or God’s part. Making allusion to God’s constant response to their cry since the time of their fathers in Egypt, he reproved them for rejecting the kingship of God over them by demanding a king like other nations. Therefore, he counselled them and their king to fear, serve and obey God to avoid divine judgment. In order to convince them that they had displeased the Lord by their request, he prayed and God sent thunder and rain from heaven, even though it was time of harvest when the rains would have stopped. This made them to tremble and see the foolishness of their action. Believers should realise that self-will attracts divine displeasure. They should continue to trust God, follow and obey Him wholeheartedly.
CLEAR CONSCIENCE AND LIFESTYLE BEFORE GOD
1 Samuel 12:1–5; John 14:30; 18:38; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 4:4; Acts 24:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:5,6,19; 1 Peter 3:16,21; 2:19
“And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day” (1 Samuel 12:2).
Samuel lived a righteous life from childhood after his dedication to the Lord by his parents. Having been taught by Eli on the proper manner of responding to the voice and instructions of God, he continued to walk consistently before Him (1 Samuel 3:9,10). He was able to defend his innocence, clear conscience and godly lifestyle before Israel. He placed his life before them to be examined using some criteria that would leave some Christian servants laden with guilt should similar scrutiny be conducted on their character.
Samuel challenged Israel to present evidence of extortion, fraud, oppression and bribery against him. In fact, he was ready to make restitution if he had inadvertently defrauded, oppressed or taken bribe from any of them. He believed in the necessity of having a clear conscience and making restitution where necessary. Like him, believers should live transparently and holily so that they can boldly stand and witness anywhere and before anyone (1 John 4:17; Proverbs 28:1).
God wants our lives to be epistles of godliness and a pattern for others to emulate. Thus, Samuel could call God and the new king (Saul) as witnesses. A good conscience can give someone assurance of good deeds before God or man (John 8:9). Though it is possible to have a conscience of idols (1 Corinthians 8:7), a defiled conscience (Titus 1:15) and a seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2), believers are enjoined to obtain and maintain a good and pure conscience void of offence toward God and man (1 Timothy 1:5,19; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3).
“And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand” (1 Samuel 12:4).
The children of Israel affirmed the claim of Samuel that he had not defrauded, oppressed or taken bribes from them. His testimony challenges Christians to conduct themselves in a way that others can attest to their transparency. In leadership, as well as daily relationships with others, believers should be unblameable and above reproach. Christ saved us so we can have godly lifestyles, everywhere and at all times. He, therefore, commands that believers lead brighter lives that reprove, as well as dispel the darkness of sin and evil (Matthew 5:14–16).
Aside Christ’s testimony of Himself, the Father, demons and men declared our Lord was sinless and pure. Also, Paul the apostle lived a Christlike life with a clear conscience. Like Samuel, he called God and believers of his day as witnesses of his holy lifestyle. God expects believers to be “…blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
If Samuel could be steadfast in righteousness from childhood until old age, present-day believers must pray for grace to be steadfast in holiness and service until the end of their lives.
CORRECTION FOR BEING THANKLESS TO GOD
1 Samuel 12:6–13; 8:6–9; Psalms 116:12; 103:1–5; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 6:20
After testifying and obtaining affirmation that he led a righteous life before Israel, Samuel went further to prove that God had been gracious to them. He reminded them of His great mercies towards them, from the time of their preservation from famine in Egypt, to their deliverances from the hand of their enemies through the judges He sent, to point out that their demand for a king was the height of ingratitude.
Bidding them to “…stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers” (1 Samuel 12:7).
He rehearsed how Jacob, with his descendants, entered Egypt presumably on account of famine and was preserved. While in bondage in Egypt, their fathers cried unto God and He delivered them with a mighty hand through Moses and Aaron. Between their exodus from Egypt to settlement in Canaan, Samuel noted that they had been inconsistent with God and were fond of forgetting Him and consequently made enemy nations to oppress them. Each time they realised and repented, God showed mercy and delivered them.
As part of God’s great mercies, Samuel enumerated leaders He raised to deliver Israel and lead them on the path of righteousness. They include Moses, Aaron, Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah and himself (Samuel). He, therefore, reasoned that if God could deliver them from those mighty nations and from troubles, how would He not deliver them from Nahash?
This recollection was to show God’s great kindness and unmerited favour towards Israel, which they were not mindful to reciprocate. Sometimes, believers behave like the children of Israel by taking decisions and actions on some important issues without prayer and counsel. Forgetting the past mercies and help of God, some believers complain, murmur and turn to human alternatives instead of showing wholehearted gratitude and appreciation to God for the great and manifold blessings He gives us every time. Surely, our God is good.
Everyone can appreciate God by surrendering their lives to Christ and making Him their King. They can serve Him by showing love to other people, giving for the progress of His work and winning souls into His kingdom. Israel cried to God when they were in pains but rejected Him in their ease.
CASE FOR SUSTAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
1 Samuel 12:14–25; Deuteronomy 28:1,2,13,14; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
After rebuking the Israelites for their ingratitude, Samuel prescribed the conditions for the nation’s continued relationship with God.
“If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers” (1 Samuel 12:14,15).
Having a king over them did not exempt them from being loyal to the King of kings. Israel was to fear, serve and obey God with all their hearts. The purpose of the rebuke was to make them see their folly so they could repent and follow the Lord. Those who claim to be saved but are not should learn here that acknowledgment of one’s sinful state often precedes repentance. The prodigal son is a case in point (Luke 15:17–20). Preachers should make sinners and backsliders see the folly of rebelling against God and urge them to reconcile with Him.
To confirm that their action was sinful and displeasing to God, Samuel decided to convey the message with a sign:
“Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest to day?… So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel” (1 Samuel 12:16–18).
It is cheering that the children of Israel responded quickly by repenting of their evil. God demands the same response from those who have sinned against Him or done contrary to His will (Acts 17:30). We should not wait for Him to send “thunder and rain” before responding to His bidding.
Following Israel’s repentance, Samuel exhorted them not to fear but continue to follow and serve God with all their hearts. He specifically told them to refrain from vain things that do not profit. He further assured them that God would not forsake them (1 Samuel 12:21,22). Though God is always faithful to keep His words, we must abide in Him to enjoy divine preservation.
Samuel reveals that it is sinful to fail to pray for and teach the laity.
“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23).
Leaders should employ the weapon of ceaseless intercession for the congregation if they wish to see the presence and power of God in their lives. Prayers will open their eyes to the necessity of obtaining Christian experiences of salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, etc. The people of God should also be taught His undiluted word so they could be built up and prepared for heaven. Prayer and ministering the Word would transform and grow the church spiritually, as well as numerically (Acts 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:16,17).
The kernel of the right way Samuel taught the children of Israel is:
“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24).
The reverential fear of God makes a person to hate and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:7; 8:13). They were also required to serve Him in truth, to always obey, love, speak and live by the truth of His word (1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; Zechariah 8:16; Psalm 51:6; John 18:37; Psalm 119:30).
Samuel also pointed out to Israel the way to reciprocate God’s kindness towards them. It is through wholehearted commitment and service from everyone He has saved. God has not changed! Anyone who reneges on repentance or fails to meet the conditions for continued relationship with Him risks divine wrath and judgment (1 Samuel 12:25).
Questions for Review
- What can believers learn from Samuel’s disposition towards Israel at Gilgal?
- Why is it important for a believer to have a clear conscience towards God and man?
- How should believers handle rebuke from leaders?
- State why believers should avoid making decisions and taking actions without prayer and proper counsel.
- In what ways can believers show gratitude to God?
- What impact would ceaseless prayers of leaders have on the work of the ministry?
- State the condition for continued relationship with God.
