16 “Now therefore, istand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes: 17 Is today not the jwheat harvest? kI will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and lrain, that you may perceive and see that myour wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking a king for yourselves.”

18 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and nall the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

19 And all the people said to Samuel, o“Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”

20 Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; pyet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And qdo not turn aside; rfor then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. 22 For sthe Lord will not forsake tHis people, ufor His great name’s sake, because vit has pleased the Lord to make you His people. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord win ceasing to pray for you; but xI will teach you the ygood and the right way. 24 zOnly fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for aconsider what bgreat things He has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, cyou shall be swept away, dboth you and your king.”