16. Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.
17. Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the Lord, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the Lord by asking for yourselves a king."
18. So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
19. Then all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king."
20. Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.
21. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.
22. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.
23. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.
24. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
25. But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away."