1st Shamu'AL (1 Samuel) — 12
Shamu'AL’s Farewell Address
1 Then Shamu'AL addressed all Yashar'AL: “I have done as you asked and given you a king.
2 Your king is now your leader. I stand here before you an old, gray-haired man, and my sons serve you. I have served as your leader from the time I was a boy to this very day. .
3 Now testify against me in the presence of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.”
4 “No,” they replied, “you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe.”
5 “For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and his anointed one are my witnesses today,” Shamu'AL declared, that my hands are clean. Yes, He is a witness,” they replied.
6 “Shamu'AL continued; It was 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH who appointed Musha and Aarun, and “𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH brought your ancestors out of the land of Mitzraym.
7 Now stand here quietly before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH as I remind you of all the great things 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has done for you and your ancestors.
8 “When the Yasharalym were in Mitzraym and cried out to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, he sent Musha and Aarun to rescue them from Mitzraym and to bring them into this land.
9 But the people soon forgot about 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH their 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, so 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH handed them over to Sisara, the commander of Hazur’s army, and also to the Philistines and to the king of Muab, who fought against them.
10 “Then they cried to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH again and confessed, ‘We have sinned by turning away from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and worshiping the images of Baal and Ashturath. But we will worship you 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and you alone if you will rescue us from our enemies.’
11 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH sent Gidaun, Badan, Yaphthah, and Shamu'AL to save you, and you lived in safety.
12 “But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammun, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH was already your Ruler.
13 All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has granted your request.
14 “Now if you fear and worship 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and listen to HIS voice, and if you do not rebel against the commands of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, then both you and your king will show that you recognize 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH as your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH.
15 But if you rebel against the commands of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH 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 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH 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 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to send thunder and rain today, then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH for a king!”
18 So Shamu'AL called to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and of Shamu'AL.
19 Then they all said to Shamu'AL; Pray to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH for us, or we will die! “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”
20 “Shamu'AL reassured them, Do not be afraid, “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH with all your heart, and do not turn your back on 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
21 Do not go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you, they are totally useless!
22 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will not abandon His people, because that would dishonor HIS great Name. For it has pleased 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to make you HIS very own people.
23 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.
24 But be sure to fear and serve 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH in Truth. Think of all the wonderful things 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has done for you.
25 But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.”