Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 12
When people feel guilty because of their sins (evil deeds), that feeling does not give them a right relationship with God. People often confess their sins because they are afraid of God’s judgements. However, the desire to avoid punishment cannot itself create a right relationship with God.
In this passage, the people’s sin was to demand a king for their nation. They did that because they were unwilling to trust God. They did not want to accept God’s rule over their lives. When God then allowed a storm to ruin their crops, they were very afraid. They realised that their sin deserved a much worse punishment. They urged Samuel to pray that God would not deal with them as his enemies.
In his reply, Samuel explained how they could have a right relationship with God. His advice was the same advice that he had always given to them (7:3). They must serve God with their whole hearts. In other words, they should obey God because they love him. Both their attitudes and their actions should express their love for God (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:29-30).
The people in Israel served false gods for the same reason as they wanted a king. They wanted to have someone or something powerful that would help them. They were unwilling to trust God alone. They still desired God’s help; however, it seemed safer to have many gods than to have just one God.
In the real God’s opinion, that behaviour is not sensible; it is very foolish. He alone created the heavens and the earth; people should serve him alone. So in God’s opinion, when his people do those wrong things, they are not loyal to him.
Next part: God’s character makes his promises certain (1 Samuel 12:22)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 450 page course book.
© 2014, Keith Simons.