After the king of the sons of Ammon came against Israel, they wanted and insisted to have a king over them.  YHVH spoke through His prophet that they did not need a king, but they kept on about it until He gave them what they asked for.  Today’s focus is not about whether Israel was to ever have a king or not, but suffice it to say, that it surely wasn’t time for them to have one yet.  Once YHVH relented to give them a king, He was very clear what would come with it.  We will look at those words today.

1 Samuel 12:13-18 says, “13  Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, YHVH has set a king over you. 14   If you will fear YHVH and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of YHVH, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow YHVH your Elohim. 15   If you will not listen to the voice of YHVH, but rebel against the command of YHVH, then the hand of YHVH will be against you, as it was against your fathers. 16  Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which YHVH will do before your eyes. 17   Is it not the wheat harvest today?[season of Shavuot/Feast of Weeks] I will call to YHVH, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of YHVH by asking for yourselves a king.” 18  So Samuel called to YHVH, and YHVH sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared YHVH and Samuel.”

The rest of this chapter is rich with patterns for us to learn from our forefathers.  Let’s finish up with verses 19-25. “19  Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to YHVH your Elohim, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.” 20  Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. [In context this fear would mean, do not be afraid] You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following YHVH, but serve YHVH with all your heart. [Repent and move forward in obedience] 21  You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver, because they are futile. 22  For YHVH will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because YHVH has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. 23  Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against YHVH by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct [Counsel] you in the good and right way. 24   Only fear YHVH and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 25   But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.”

As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear Elohim and keep His commandments, because this applies to every man.”

May we have a joyful Shabbat!!

Tammy

Courtesy of

River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a