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!
22. The lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the lord to make you his very own people.
23. “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.
24. But be sure to fear the lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
25. But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.”