1 Samuel 12:12–22

Feared

1 Samuel 12:12–22

The Covenant Revisited (12–15)

After years of service, Samuel gives his farewell address, arguing that he has served Israel blamelessly (12:1–5). He then reminds them of the major events (the exodus, the entrance in to the land and the period of the judges) leading up to their request for a king (12:6–12). 

Subsequently, he introduces Saul as king. In so doing, Samuel reminds Israel of the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, recalling Moses’ farewell address in Deuteronomy 28. If the Israelites and their king follow the Lord, “It will be well with them” (v. 15). But if they disobey, “the hand of the Lord” will be against them (v. 15).

 Looking at Deuteronomy 28, we see the curse for disobedience leads to exile from the land (vv. 41–68). During the monarchy, the Temple is the place where God’s presence dwells in the midst of His people. Exile from the land therefore meant being driven away from God’s presence, as Adam and Eve had been driven out of the garden. Kings and Chronicles record that Israel did not heed Samuel’s warning and were driven out of the land, away from God and into captivity. 

A Sign Delivered (16–18)

To show the sinfulness of their request for a worldly king, Samuel asks God to provide a thunderstorm during the harvest, demonstrating His power and judgment. As a result of the storm, God was feared by the people, producing reverence and trepidation. 

Like the Israelites, we should realize that we stand before a holy God as sinners. God is not to be mocked. He is not to be taken lightly. Rather we should tremble and fear, for we know we deserve to face His wrath and judgment. Israel trembling before God does not compare to the day humanity will stand before His judgment seat (Rev. 20). That day mankind will quiver before their Maker and will be condemned for their transgressions.  

God’s Mercy and Grace (19–22)

Realizing their sin, the Israelites plead for their lives. They beg Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king” (v. 19). Samuel then encourages them not to fear but to serve their God. For the sake of His name, the Lord will not forget His people. If mercy depended on their merit, they would never attain it. They would only get what they deserve: a curse.

The Israelites, like the rest of humanity, have all disobeyed God (i.e., they have sinned) and deserve to be under a curse, separated from the presence of God forever. That’s what we deserve — you and I, no exceptions. On the cross, however, Jesus took the curse upon Himself in our place. He was our substitute. Paul says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Gal. 3:13). 

In Christ we don’t get what we deserve, we get what we don’t deserve: grace. We deserve to suffer the curse of death because of our sin. But Jesus suffered in our place by hanging on a tree (the cross). If you believe this, the curse you deserve has been lifted and you are no longer condemned before God. One day you will dwell with God forever in a new land, a new garden (Rev. 21–22). This is the good news of the gospel, a gift we could never earn or merit.