1 Samuel

1 Samuel 12: The LORD keeps His people

Begin in prayer

Before we stand with Israel at Gilgal and hear Samuel say the LORD will not forsake His people, let us pray together. Ask Him to hold us close, and to show us Jesus.

For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:28

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You will not forsake Your people, and help us to delight in You above all things. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Samuel told Israel that he had listened to them and set a king over them, and he asked them to witness against him. He reminded them how the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron and brought their fathers out of Egypt. When the people asked for a king, the LORD sent thunder and rain at harvest, and they feared Him. The people begged Samuel to pray for them, and he told them not to turn aside to vain things. Samuel said the LORD would not forsake His people for His great name’s sake, because it had pleased Him to make them His own. He promised to keep praying for them and to teach them the good and right way.

As you read 1 Samuel 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake and because He chose them.

Samuel gave his farewell speech and asked the people to witness that he had taken nothing from anyone (verses 1 to 5). The LORD sent Moses and Aaron, and later Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah and Samuel, to rescue them (verses 6 to 11). Again and again they forgot the LORD, fell into their enemies' hands, cried out, and were saved (verses 9 to 11). When Nahash came, they asked for a king, though the LORD their God was their king (verse 12). Samuel called for thunder and rain in the dry season of wheat harvest, and the people feared the LORD (verses 17 and 18). They confessed that they had added this evil to all their sins (verse 19). Samuel told them not to be afraid and not to turn to vain things that cannot profit or save (verses 20 and 21). The LORD will not forsake them, because of His great name and because it pleased Him to make them His own (verse 22). God keeps His people for His own sake, and He gave His Son to bring sinners into His people.

How does 1 Samuel 12 show us that the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake and because He chose them?

The LORD has been faithful to His people.

Samuel reminded Israel how the LORD sent Moses and Aaron to bring their fathers out of Egypt (verses 6 and 8). Their fathers forgot the LORD, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies (verse 9). When they cried and confessed, He sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah and Samuel to rescue them (verses 10 and 11). Samuel called these the righteous acts of the LORD (verse 7).

The LORD will not forsake His people.

Samuel said the LORD will not forsake them, for His great name's sake and for His choice of them (verse 22). They had added the evil of asking for a king to all their sins (verse 19). He kept them because He had chosen them, and Samuel promised to keep praying and teaching (verse 23). Jesus said He will never throw out anyone who comes to Him (John 6 verse 37).

The people must not turn to vain things.

Samuel warned them not to turn aside after vain things, which cannot profit or deliver (verse 21). Vain things are idols and every false hope that cannot save. He told them to fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all their heart (verse 24). If they kept doing evil, they and their king would be consumed (verse 25).

Memorise

For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself.

1 Samuel 12:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what vain thing do I turn to, and do I need Jesus to keep me?

Samuel said, “Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself.” The people had sinned, and still the LORD kept them.

God keeps His people because He chose them, and we have no goodness to offer in return. We have all gone after vain things, and our sin deserves His judgment. Jesus bore the sin of His people on the cross, and the Father raised Him from the dead. He offered Himself once for all, so none who belong to Him can be lost.

Do not turn aside to vain things. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He forgives everyone who comes to Him, and He keeps them to the end.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD will not forsake His people, and that Jesus is the Mediator who prays for them. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He will not forsake His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you

Deuteronomy 31:6

Father, thank You that You will not forsake Your people, for Your name’s sake and for Your own pleasure. Thank You for Jesus, who prays for His people and keeps them. Turn us from vain things, and help us to trust You alone. Keep us close to You this week. Amen.