Here Samuel was rebuking Israel for leaving God as her Husband and King. Because they wanted a king as a replacement for God, they would not have the proper enjoyment of the good land.
cf. 1 Sam. 10:24
cf. 1 Sam. 8:7; Judg. 8:23
Here Samuel was rebuking Israel for leaving God as her Husband and King. Because they wanted a king as a replacement for God, they would not have the proper enjoyment of the good land.
The Septuagint and other ancient versions read, Barak.
cf. Exo. 2:22-23; 3:9
cf. Num. 16:15; Acts 20:33; 2 Cor. 7:2
Samuel’s reminder implies a comparison between Samuel and Saul. His reminding Israel of his integrity (vv. 1-5) implied that Saul would pervert justice and take away many things from the people. Samuel had this kind of foresight concerning Saul.
Samuel considered that not praying for God’s people was a sin against Jehovah. God’s elect are His peculiar, personal possession as a treasure (Exo. 19:5). This book shows that Samuel’s heart was only for God’s elect. Samuel’s caring for God’s elect was a crucial aspect of the history concerning Samuel, which was in sharp contrast to the history concerning Saul.