Question 1

Why was asking for a king called a great wickedness in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Samuel says the people’s wickedness was great because they asked for a human king when the Lord their God was already their king. They did this in fear of Nahash and trusted a visible ruler instead of trusting the God who had saved them many times before. Wanting a king was not wrong by itself, but the way they asked, and the distrust behind it, showed a rejection of God’s rule. Samuel’s words and the storm from heaven helped them see that this was not a small mistake but a serious sin against God.

Question 2

What is the meaning of “fear the Lord and serve him” in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Here, “fear the Lord” does not mean a terror that runs away from God, but a deep respect and awe that takes Him seriously. To fear the Lord is to remember who He is, to listen to His voice, and to care more about pleasing Him than pleasing people. Serving Him means obeying His commands and giving Him your whole heart, not just empty words. Samuel tells them that if both they and their king live this way, they can go on following the Lord, even after their sin of asking for a king.

Question 3

Why did God send thunder and rain during wheat harvest?

Accepted Answer

Samuel asks the people to stand and see a great thing the Lord would do. Wheat harvest was normally a dry time, so thunder and heavy rain then would be very unusual. God sent this storm as a clear sign that He was displeased with their demand for a king. It made the people feel God’s nearness and power, and it helped them understand that their sin was real and serious. The sign was not only to scare them, but to wake them up so they would confess their sin and turn back to serving the Lord.

Question 4

How do the people respond when they see the thunder and rain?

Accepted Answer

When the thunder and rain come at Samuel’s prayer, the people are filled with fear of the Lord and respect for Samuel. They finally see how wrong they have been. They say, “We have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.” They ask Samuel to pray for them so that they will not die under God’s anger. Their response shows real fear, confession, and a desire for mercy. They no longer argue about their choice but admit it was sinful and throw themselves on God’s kindness through Samuel’s prayers.

Question 5

What comfort does Samuel give after telling them they have sinned?

Accepted Answer

Samuel does not leave the people in despair. He says, “Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord.” He reminds them that, even though their sin is great, God has not changed His heart toward them. He says the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake, because it pleased Him to make them His people. This means their hope is not in their goodness but in God’s own name and promise. So they should not give up, but keep serving Him with all their heart.

Question 6

What does it mean that the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake?

Accepted Answer

When Samuel says the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake, he is saying that God’s faithfulness rests on who He is, not on how well the people have done. God chose them and put His name on them, and He will not throw away His own promise and honor. This does not mean their sin is small, or that judgment will never come, but that God’s basic commitment to His people remains. Because of this, even after serious failure, they can turn back to Him and find mercy instead of being completely cast off.

Question 7

Why does Samuel say it would be a sin for him to stop praying for the people?

Accepted Answer

Samuel says, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” He sees prayer for the people as part of his calling before God, not just a kind favor. To give up on them in prayer would be like turning his back on what God had given him to do. Even though they have rejected his leadership and asked for a king, Samuel refuses to stop caring. He promises both to pray for them and to teach them the good and right way, showing that true spiritual leadership keeps praying and teaching, even after being hurt.

Question 8

What does Samuel mean by warning they will be consumed, both they and their king?

Accepted Answer

Samuel closes with a serious warning: “If ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” He is telling them that having a king will not protect them from God’s judgment. If they keep on in evil and refuse to obey the Lord, both the people and the ruler they trusted in will face ruin. This shows that human leadership cannot replace obedience to God. Their future depends on whether they turn from sin and fear the Lord, not on the strength or skill of their king.

Question 9

How can this passage guide someone who feels guilty for past choices?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God takes sin seriously, but it also shows that He does not cast off His people when they truly turn back. Israel’s demand for a king was a deep wrong, yet Samuel still says, “Fear not,” and calls them to keep following the Lord. For someone weighed down by past choices, this teaches both honesty and hope. We should admit our sin clearly, like the people did, and seek God’s mercy. At the same time, we should not give up, but go on fearing Him, serving Him with all our heart, and remembering how much He has already done for us.

1 Samuel 12:12

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king.

Samuel’s Farewell Address

The King Confirmed

Cross References

1 Samuel 12:12

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king.

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Samuel’s Farewell Address

The King Confirmed

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