Wow.
Samuel has just come from a scathing rebuke of the Israelites for rejecting God as their King and asking Samuel to appoint a king, in the process rehashing much of what they had done since the exodus, which was mostly failures by the Israelites and bailouts by God. He’s called down thunder and rain to ruin their harvest. Then this. They confessed and asked that Samuel pray for them, that they should not die. This was his response.
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you. (1 Samuel 12:23-24 ESV)
Have you been discouraged by someone for whom you’re praying? Never stop praying for them, and instructing them in the right way. Make sure they “consider what great things He has done” for them.
