Samuel’s Call to Repentance (1 Samuel 12)

The events in this chapter are the fourth stage in Saul’s inauguration as king of Israel. This is the last step in the handover of authority from Samuel as a God-appointed judge to Saul as a king. As we have noted previously, the desire of Israel to have a king was a sin because it indicated rejection of the Lord. So far Israel as a nation had not repented of this sin, and Samuel was aware of it. Therefore he preached this sermon to point out to the Israelites what they had done.

Rejected a God-honouring leader

The Israelites had concluded that their weakness was due to ineffective leadership, perhaps also that Samuel was old and not as physically capable as before, and with no suitable successor in his family. The first thing that Samuel does is to remind Israel that he, as God’s appointed leader, had functioned in an exemplary manner. This is what he means when he asks questions about his behaviour. In an everyday situation, for a leader to ask for verification from his people would be regarded as pride, particularly if he would be claiming flawless behaviour. But that is not what Samuel is doing. His aim is to lead the people to repentance, and an aspect of their sin was rejection of him as God’s judge. Samuel’s action is similar to Paul’s claim when he said to Timothy: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ (2 Tim. 4:7).

Samuel gets them to confirm that the system of which he was a representative had worked well with a righteous man as judge. There is a certain hesitation on the part of the Israelites to affirm this before the Lord, although they are willing to acknowledge it to Samuel. This hesitancy points to a growing awareness that the realised the Lord was not pleased at their rejection of the theocratic form of government, particularly since Samuel was of an upright character.

Rejected God’s ways of restoration in the past

The second consequence of their sin in choosing a king was that they were now rejecting God’s long-tried method of deliverance and restoration. We can see this in Samuel’s account of the history of Israel.

Samuel begins with the reminder that they had come into existence as a nation only because God had redeemed them from the land of Egypt. In his sovereign grace he had sent deliverers to them, and through the leadership of Moses and Aaron they had been set free. Through his power, seen particularly in his miracles wrought through Moses and Aaron, God had delivered them from the control of Pharaoh. The deliverance had climaxed in being given a place where they could serve God.

Nevertheless, the Israelites showed their lack of commitment to God and he responded to their unfaithfulness by allowing them to be under the control of a foreign power. This captivity was both a punishment for their sin and a stimulant to prayer. The oppression they enjoyed caused them to cry to the Lord for mercy.

The Lord’s response was to raise up deliverers whom he equipped with what was necessary to deliver his people. He did this repeatedly, which suggests that while he did not approve of their sin he did approve of the method of rule.

Samuel now considers the recent conflict with Nahash the Ammonite. His attack was similar to the invasions previously experienced by Israel, but their current response was totally different to previous responses. On these occasions Israel had recognised their sins and in response God had sent a deliverer, but on this occasion Israel had decided which type of deliverer they should have, a king like the surrounding nations (vv. 12-13).

Still there was a remedy for the situation. Although they had sinned, God was still prepared to bless them if they were obedient to him. Otherwise they would face his judgment, as their forefathers had done (vv. 14-15).

Received clear evidence that God disapproved of their actions

So far, the example of Samuel, the lessons of history and the promise of blessing have had no real effect on the Israelites. Something more is needed before they will apply to themselves the truth of their actions. Therefore Samuel asks for a sign from heaven to verify his assessment of the situation.

The storm was an impressive sign. The wheat harvest was in May/June and it did not rain for several weeks before then. But it was also a costly sign, because it meant that the people had lost the wheat harvest, but compared to what God could have done to them it was a light punishment.

The storm was a sign that Samuel was a true prophet, that the Lord vindicated his words. What happened here is similar to the vindication of Elijah on Mount Carmel when fire from heaven devoured the sacrifice.

The storm was a sign that the Lord can give either blessing or punishment, and that he is to be feared by his people.

Repentance expressed by the people

The sign from the Lord had the true effect, for the people were afraid and concerned that worse was to come for their rebellion. It looks as if their opinion of the king went down as their estimate of the Lord and Samuel went up.

Fear of God is expected of New Testament believers as well. Jesus told his disciples, in the context of assuring them that their heavenly Father knew the number of hairs on their head, ‘And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell’ (Matt. 10:28). In Acts 9:31, Luke refers to a healthy church in this way: ‘So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.’ Paul describes the Christian life as follows: ‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God’ (2 Cor. 7:1).

Their repentance included the realisation that they needed a leader whose prayer life had power with God. As they watched the storm come at the command of Samuel they realised, that old and weak though he was, he was a far more effective leader than the outwardly impressive Saul. The Lord often shows his grace when he provides servants who make the spiritual prosperity of his people their primary occupation.’

Reassurance given by Samuel

Now that the people had confessed their sin Samuel was able to assure them that there was hope. The Israelites seemed to have concluded that the storm meant there was no hope for them. So Samuel had to reassure them that progress could be made, despite the ongoing presence of the king they had chosen. This is a reminder that grace can work even in situations where an action has caused irremovable consequences.

Notice the reason that Samuel gives for this hope. While his judgment would come if they sinned, blessing does not come primarily because of their devotion. Rather it comes because the Lord has committed himself to them. As F. B. Meyer points out, ‘The flame of God’s love requires no fuel.’ Christian service is a response to the faithfulness of God and is not an attempt to win God’s favour.

Character of Samuel

There are one or two features worth reminding ourselves about Samuel’s character. First, there is his faithfulness to God in difficult times. Second, there is his love for his people, expressed in his determination to lead them to repentance. Third, there is his devotion to his people, expressed in his promise to pray for them and teach them, which is the same priorities that the leaders of the early church expressed in Acts 6:4. Fourth, there is submission to God’s providence that had given him a new role to play, that of a prophet rather than a judge.

Lessons to think about

First, don’t secularise the way God’s leaders in the church are chosen. For example, a person should not be made an elder because he is a good businessman or works in a profession. They are to be chosen for their spiritual qualities.

Second, success is not found through a leader’s capabilities but in the faithfulness of God when both a people and their leaders are devoted to him. It comes when they repent of their failings, take hold on God in prayer, and when the leaders teach according to the word of God and pray for them.

Third, the story gives comfort to those who imagine they have failed irreversibly. True, the effects of past sins may live on, but that does not mean that spiritual prosperity cannot come. What is needed is repentance, and once sin has been repented of, we should expect the Lord’s grace to work fruitfully in our lives. God does not count the number of times he has to forgive us.

Fourth, the story illustrates another biblical principle, that God can take a sinful action and use it as a means of bringing blessing. The office of kingship did not have a good start, but it opened the door for the reigns of David and Solomon. Other examples of this principle are the sinful action of Joseph’s brothers in selling him into Egypt which became the means of their deliverance during the future famine, and the evil act of killing Christ which became the means of salvation to all who trust in him.

Fifth, we are to be thankful that we have a greater than Samuel to teach us and pray for us, for ultimately Jesus Christ is the prophet and priest of his church.