📊 1 Samuel 12:21 | The Transition

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

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In today’s email…

• 📖 Walking through Samuel’s farewell speech

• 💯 Serving God and God alone

• 📊 A poll about a prophet

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MEMORIZE 🧠 

And __ ___ turn aside after _____ ______ that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

1 Samuel 12:21

CONTEXT 📕 

Samuel had led Israel faithfully for years as a judge and prophet — through battles, transitions, and moments of national crisis.

But now…everything is changing.

The people had asked for a king.

They wanted to be like the “nations” (1 Samuel 8:5) and wanted protection from an attack from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 12:12).

They craved safety, power, and status. To Samuel, it felt like rejection.

And God agreed:

Still, God granted their request. Saul was chosen.

And now, in 1 Samuel 12, Samuel gives his farewell address. A final charge before stepping back and letting the people be ruled over by a king.

He begins by clearing his name: “Have I wronged you? Taken bribes?”

The people affirm his integrity. Then Samuel shifts. He recounts how God has always been faithful in delivering them, forgiving them, rescuing them.

But they, in turn, have repeatedly drifted.

Then comes the warning:

It’s a wake-up call about the danger of idolatry — of chasing after “empty things” that can’t truly bring them what they want and need.

Even with a king, their future still depends on their faithfulness to God.

The throne doesn’t replace the covenant. They have individual responsibility that they can’t outsource to a guy in fancy robes.

Samuel knows what’s coming.

Once kingship begins, the pull toward false gods, alliances, and power plays will grow even stronger.

So he pleads: don’t chase what’s empty.

Don’t look for salvation in what can’t save.

Samuel’s charge is clear: stay faithful.

No matter who wears the crown, God alone rules. And God alone rescues.

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

We may not bow to golden statues, but we still chase “empty things” all the time.

Sometimes in obvious ways.

Sometimes in subtle ways.

We can declare with our mouth that we trust God…but later that day let the fear of what others think prevent us from sharing the gospel with someone who needs Jesus.

Whether it’s success, reputation, money, comfort, or approval — they promise more than they can deliver.

When we chase these things, our focus is on ourselves.

But as Samuel encourages faithfulness in this new era for Israel, he urges them to serve the Lord:

Instead of receiving our identity from career, success, others’ opinions, or how our children behave, Samuel invites us to place our trust in the Lord.

We need to go all in on God. 100%.

Pray 🙏 

Father, I repent of trusting in things that are not You. I’ve looked for help in the wrong places. Remind me that You alone are my refuge. Help me let go of empty things and cling to Your Kingdom. Teach me to walk in trust, not fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TRIVIA 📊 

ANSWER KEY ✅ 

And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

1 Samuel 12:21