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1 Samuel 12: Samuel's Farewell

Samuel asked the people whether he had ever cheated or oppressed anyone, and they said he had not. He reminded them how the Lord had saved them again and again. To show their sin in asking for a king, Samuel called to the Lord, who sent thunder and rain in wheat harvest. Samuel told them not to be afraid but to serve the Lord with all their heart, and promised he would not stop praying for them.

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Bible:

Read 1 Samuel 12

World English Bible · 25 verses

  1. 1 Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 Now, behold, the king walks before you. I am old and gray-headed. Behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 They said, “You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from anyone’s hand.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 He said to them, “Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” They said, “He is witness.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 Samuel said to the people, “It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to your fathers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 “When Jacob had come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 But they forgot Yahweh their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 They cried to Yahweh, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 “When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when Yahweh your God was your king.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen and whom you have asked for. Behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 But if you will not listen to Yahweh’s voice, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then Yahweh’s hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 “Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 Isn’t it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in Yahweh’s sight, in asking for a king.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  18. 18 So Samuel called to Yahweh, and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  19. 19 All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  20. 20 Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  21. 21 Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  22. 22 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  23. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  24. 24 Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  25. 25 But if you keep doing evil, you will be consumed, both you and your king.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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1 Samuel 12 · Preschool

Thunder and Rain

Name Date

Color the rain falling on the wheat field! God sent thunder and rain when Samuel prayed.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“So Samuel called to Yahweh, and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.”

1 Samuel 12:18 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: God sent rain to show His power. Samuel promised to keep praying for the people. Who can you pray for this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

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