Farewell Speech

Prepare: The Bible has been faithful to speak of the success as well as the failure of men.
Read: 1 Samuel 12:1-15

Samuel's message was a combination of a coronation address and a revival sermon. Samuel was a little disappointed that the Israelites had asked for a king in his place. But God had told Samuel that the people had rejected Him and not Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7). So Samuel stepped down gracefully to make way for the king.

The people had rejected a proven godly leader for a man who had won only one victory and whose devotion to the Lord was as yet unknown. Samuel left office knowing that his conscience was clear. The hand of the Lord was with them when they obeyed, but it was against them when they rebelled. Verse 14 emphasizes the same secret of success that God gave to Joshua (Josh. 1:8). Rebellion became King Saul's besetting sin, and it cost him the kingdom.

Samuel could claim that he was upright throughout his career. The people affirmed that Samuel as priest and prophet had never exploited anyone to get an ox or an ass. He had neither cheated nor oppressed anyone. He had never taken any bribe from any one of them in order to condone any wrong. They had nothing against him. Samuel was a true and just judge and a godly leader.

Respond: Samuel had 60 long years of a blameless record life. How about your life?