12. “But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammon, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the lord your God was already your king.
13. All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the lord has granted your request.
14. “Now if you fear and worship the lord and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the lord’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the lord as your God.
15. But if you rebel against the lord’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.
16. “Now stand here and see the great thing the lord is about to do.
17. You know that it does not rain at this time of the year during the wheat harvest. I will ask the lord to send thunder and rain today. Then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking the lord for a king!”
18. So Samuel called to the lord, and the lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the lord and of Samuel.
19. “Pray to the lord your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”
20. “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.
21. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!