Life Under King Jesus (1 Samuel 12) - 1/11/26

INTRO

• Samuel’s farewell address at the transfer of leadership from judge/prophet to monarchy

• Israel has a human king, but the LORD remains their King

• Their covenant responsibility does not change before their King and the Lord.

• Today we live under the reign of the true and better King… Jesus Christ
  

Hear the Lord – vv. 1–5

• Samuel’s faithful, proven ministry (1 Sam. 3:20)

• Leadership transition appointed by God: Samuel → Saul

• Samuel’s point: I have walked faithfully before you—so listen to the LORD now

• Integrity gives credibility to the message

• God’s Word is STILL trustworthy, true, and perfect

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

Remember the Lord – vv. 6–12

• Courtroom/covenant setting: “The LORD is witness” (v. 5)

• “The righteous deeds of the LORD” (v. 7): God is always right, just, and faithful

• Deliverance history: consistent faithfulness to His people

• “They forgot the LORD” (v. 9)

• The cycle: sin → discipline → crying out → deliverance

• Mercy displayed (v. 12)

  • They demanded a king, rejecting the LORD as King

  • God used the king they demanded to bring deliverance

  • Earthly solutions are temporary; the LORD’s mercy is the deeper story

Titus 3:3–7 - For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (ESV)

Respond to the Lord – vv. 13–25

“And now, behold the king” (v. 13): you asked, God granted… yet the LORD still reigns. Even with a king, the king and the people remain accountable to the LORD. The expectation…the ONLY WAY TO RESPOND.

Fear – Serve – Obey (vv. 13–15)

• Fear the LORD: worshipful awe, not panic

• Serve Him: loyal devotion, not divided allegiance

• Obey His voice: submission to His Word

• Warning: rebellion brings discipline on people and the king
  

Stand still and see (vv. 16–18)

• Stop and observe God.. who He is and what He does

• Wheat harvest rain: abnormal season; storm threatens crops

• Their sin is serious; God’s discipline is real
  

Do not turn aside — Press On (vv. 19–25)

• The people plead for intercession; Samuel shepherds them to return to the LORD

• “Do not be afraid… do not turn aside” (vv. 20–21): repentance is forward-facing faithfulness

• Samuel’s commitment: prayer and instruction (v. 23)

• Bottom line: fear the LORD and serve Him with full devotion (v. 24)

• Warning: persistent rebellion brings righteous discipline (v. 25)

1 Peter 1:14–16 - As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (ESV)

THE WHAT NOW

• The Word is authoritative… position yourself to hear with humble obedience

• The LORD has always been faithful… trust His Word and remember His deeds

• Behold our King.    King Jesus, the true and better King who reigns and saves; fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully