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Samuel’s bargain

1 Samuel 12:19-25 (JDV)

1 Samuel 12:19 They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to Yahveh your God for your servants so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”
1 Samuel 12:20 Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following Yahveh. Instead, worship Yahveh with all your heart.
1 Samuel 12:21 Don’t turn away to follow trivial things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are trivial.
1 Samuel 12:22 Yahveh will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people.
1 Samuel 12:23 “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against Yahveh by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.
1 Samuel 12:24 Above all, fear Yahveh and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:25 However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”

Samuel’s bargain

Samuel bargained with the people in today’s text. He commanded them to stay true to God despite their past failures and to fear and follow him faithfully without getting caught up with trivial pursuits. For his part of the bargain, Samuel promised to pray for them consistently which is what they asked for. But he also promised to teach them the good and right way to follow God. The word of God and prayer are the leader’s tools.