The nation of Israel demanded a king, like all the nations around them. Samuel followed the command of the Lord and anointed Saul, the son of Kish, to be the first king. After Saul led the nation in the defeat of the Ammonites, the nation rallied around their new king.
In Samuel's farewell address, bowing out as judge over Israel, he reminded them of their sinful choice in choosing a king. As evidence of God's anger against the nation, Samuel called for thunder and rain at harvest time, when it would normally be dry.
The people realized their sin and plead for mercy.
Samuel's response, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty" (1 Samuel 12:20-21).
Notice what God did NOT do:
He did NOT send bolts of lightning in the thunderstorm to wipe out the people.
He did NOT abandon them.
What did He do?
He allowed them to continue serving Him.
He commanded them to turn away from empty things.
His was a call of repentance. Turning from the emptiness of empty things. Turning to the fullness of God.
And He in His grace and mercy allows the same for us.
He forgives and allows for repentance.
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