Samuel Speaks for God

5L es
son 1 Samuel 12; Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 603-615

H ave you ever wanted to do something, even

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“Good,” Samuel replied. “Now stand here and
he people of Israel decided that they listen. I am going to remind you of all the good
wanted a king to lead them instead of things God did for you and your fathers and
God. They wanted to be like everyone else grandfathers when the Lord was your king.”
around them. So they went to Samuel and asked Samuel reminded them of how God had
him to let God know they wanted a king. sent Moses and Aaron to lead the people from
Samuel talked to God. And God gave them Egypt. And the people remembered.
Saul. When Saul led Israel to a “Remember how Israel forgot about the
victory in battle, the people
were ready to celebrate
having their king.
“Let us go to Gilgal,”
Samuel said to all the
people. “We can crown
the king and make a
sacrifice to the Lord.”
So Samuel, King
Saul, and all the people
gathered for the
celebration. They
sacrificed offerings
and worshipped the
Lord. Then Samuel,
now an old man with
gray hair, called for
quiet and began his
speech.
“God has done as you
asked,” Samuel said. “He
has given you a king
to be your leader. And
what about me? I was
your leader since my
youth. Tell me: Have I

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 The Message
God is glad He made
me His child. Memory Verse
“For the sake of his
great name the Lord
Lord and worshipped idols?” Samuel contin- . . . was pleased to
ued. “The Lord allowed them to become the
slaves of Sisera. What did the people do then?” make you his own”
“They asked the Lord to save them,” some (1 Samuel 12:22).
of the people said.
“They promised to serve the Lord,” others
replied.
“This happened again and again,” Samuel
reminded them. “Many times Israel forgot the
Lord and worshipped idols and became slaves. I will still be here to teach you how to follow ‘the
Each time they said, ‘We did wrong; we are way that is good.’ Remember always to serve the
sorry. We will serve You, Lord.’ And each time Lord with all your heart. Don’t worship idols.”
the Lord forgave them and saved them. Then God’s chosen people felt better. They
“Now,” Samuel continued, “you have asked promised again to remember the good things
for a king. And the Lord has given one to you. God had done for them.
You will not always like what your king asks
you to do. Respect your king, but always be
faithful to God.
“Now look and see what the Lord is
about to do. It is harvesttime. I will pray to
God for thunder and rain. This is to show you
what an evil thing you did when you asked
for a king instead of letting God lead you.”
Samuel called out to the Lord. That same
day the thunder rolled overhead and the
rain fell in great sheets. The people huddled
together, cold, wet, and frightened.
“Save us,” they cried to Samuel. “We were
wrong to ask for a king.”
“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel tenderly replied.
“For the sake of his great name the Lord . . .
was pleased to make you his own”
(1 Samuel 12:22).
The people began to feel better. Just
knowing that God was glad He chose them
to be His people made them feel warm inside.
“You did wrong,” Samuel said, “but you
are still God’s people. I will pray for you. And

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 S U N D A Y
S A B B A T H
R E A D With a family member, read and discuss
R E A D With your family, read the 1 Samuel 12:6-25.
Bible lesson story together. Imagine
that you are standing in the rain and D O Make one cloud-shaped cutout for each word of
can feel it falling on you. Read aloud the memory verse. Write each word of the memory
the memory verse from the Bible verse on a different cutout. Mix up the “clouds,”
(1 Samuel 12:22). then try to put them in order. Save the cloud words
for another day.
P R A Y Thank God that you are His
child. M A K E Make a chart and record the weather
each day this week.

P R A Y Thank God for rain.

M O N D A Y
D O Put your cloud-shaped T U E S D A Y
memory verse words in the right R E A D During worship today, read together what the
order and say the memory verse. people said to Samuel (1 Samuel 12:4, 5b, 19). Who was
Israel’s first king (before Saul)? (See 1 Samuel 12:12.)
R E A D With a family member,
read what Samuel said in your D O Think of five great names for Jesus, such as King of
lesson story (1 Samuel 12:1-3, kings. Play, sing, hum, or listen to “King of Kings” (He Is
5a, 6-17, 20-25). Our Song, no. 69). Put your cloud-shaped memory verse
words in the right order. Then try to say the verse to a
D O Tell your family about family member without looking at the words.
three great things that God
has done for you. Thank Him P R A Y Ask God to help you remember that you are
for doing them. His child.

W E D N E S D A Y
R E A D During family worship, read together 1 Samuel 12:9 and 12. List the names of Israel’s enemies.
Do you have any enemies?
D O Discuss with your family how God can help you deal with enemies. Pray for someone who has been
unkind to you.
D O Say your memory verse together.

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 T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y
D O Say your memory verse to D O During family worship
Samuel poured olive oil
a friend. In your own words, tell on Saul’s head to show that tonight, use your memory verse
them what it means. God had chosen him for a special clouds to teach the verse to your
job. This is called anointing. family. Explain the verse and tell
R E A D During family how it makes you feel.
worship, read together Samuel’s
weather forecast in 1 Samuel D O Tell your family three
12:16-18. Was it good or bad for things that you remember from your lesson
the rain to come at wheat story. What big lesson did you learn?
harvest? Why? (See 1 Samuel Together, read 1 Samuel 12:22, 23 and
12:17.) Draw a picture of wheat Nehemiah 9:17. What does God want you to
and some foods made from do about people who hurt your feelings?
wheat.
S I N G Sing “God Is So Good” (Sing for
D O Thank God for good Joy, no. 13), then thank Him for His
food. goodness to your family.

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