Finishing Well

Finishing Well

1 Samuel 12:13–25

Samuel was the prophet and leader of Israel, guiding the people under God’s direction. He consistently reminded them of the importance of walking with God.

In chapter 7, Samuel reflected on all that God had done for Israel. He named the place Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” It was God who gave them victory over their enemies, including the Ammonites.

Ironically, despite defeating them, the Israelites desired to be like the Ammonites—they wanted a king. Imagine training yourself to imitate those you’ve already overcome! They rejected God’s rule in favor of human leadership.

Samuel was deeply disturbed, thinking they were rejecting him. But God clarified: “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me” (1 Samuel 8:7). So, God told Samuel to give them what they asked for—a king. Samuel then anointed Saul as king.

Saul Started Well

When Saul faced battle, he prayed for wisdom, and with God’s help, Israel won. After this, Samuel reminded the people in 1 Samuel 12:13:
“Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, the Lord has set a king over you.”

Israel was previously led by theocracy (God’s direct leadership), but now they wanted human kingship. Human-led governments often bring challenges—just look at modern nations, including Kenya and even the country we live in now.

The Danger of Rejecting God

It is dangerous for those who know God to reject His leadership and choose leaders based on personal preference. God told Samuel, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

When people drift away from God’s will, it brings hardship. Samuel stood before them and said:

“Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord… Whose ox have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? If I have, I will restore it.”
They responded: “You have not cheated or oppressed us.”

Samuel then recounted God’s faithfulness to their forefathers. Still, the people forgot and turned to idols. God allowed them to fall into the hands of their enemies—Sisera and the Moabites—until they cried out to Him for deliverance.

God Grants Their Desire, But with a Warning

God gave them a king, but Samuel warned:

Verse 14: “If you fear the Lord and serve Him… you and the king will continue following the Lord.”
Verse 15: “But if you do not obey… the hand of the Lord will be against you.”

The conditions for obeying and serving God do not change just because a king is in place. A king can never take the place of God.

Samuel declared in verse 16, “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing the Lord will do.”
To prove the seriousness of their decision, he called on God for a sign. In verse 18, “Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.”

Even though Saul was king, they cried out to Samuel. In life’s deepest crises, kings (leaders) are not enough. It is God who controls the weather, gives health, provides jobs, keeps families, and lifts us from glory to glory.

Seek God Always

Many only cry out to God in trouble, but we must seek Him in both good and bad times. It’s never about earthly kings or titles—it’s always about God.

Samuel also reminded them of the favor of being God’s people. He said that failing to intercede for them would be sin. He committed to continuing his role as a prophet, interceding and doing God’s will, regardless of the king’s presence.

Samuel Teaches Us How to Finish Well:

1. Be Concerned About Your Legacy
   Samuel said, “Here is the king you asked for.” He was transitioning leadership but remained faithful. Where God has placed you—serve wholeheartedly. Leave a legacy in your workplace, home, or ministry.
2. Remember and Remind Each Other of God’s Faithfulness
   God had been faithful, but the people still asked for a king. Let us continually remind each other of where God has brought us from.
3. Do Not Forget God’s Acts in History
   Write them down. Count your blessings one by one. Forgetting leads to disaster/hardship, as it did for Israel.
4. God Grants the Desires of Our Hearts—Be Careful What You Ask For
   God answers, but not all prayers draw us closer to Him. Israel wanted to be like other nations. Don’t desire what the world has—seek to be rooted in God. Choices have consequences.
5. Personalize God—He Has Chosen You
   Verse 22: “For the Lord will not forsake His people… because it pleased the Lord to make you His people.”
   If God has chosen you—choose Him back.
6. Intercede for Others—It Is a Sin Not To
   Samuel said failure to pray for others is sin. Let us be persistent in intercession. To do this effectively, we must be rooted, grounded, and established in God.

Final Encouragement:

Finishing well means holding on to God’s Word, remaining faithful in your calling, and living in a way that honors the legacy God has entrusted to you. Whether you’re a prophet, a parent, a leader, or a worker—live in obedience, pray not only for yourself but others in persistence, and always choose God.