Samuel’s Farewell

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Look upon the one the Lord has chosen. 00:00:07 Speaker 1: The crowd erupted into a cacophony of praise. Trumpets blared, and the voices of the people rose like a storm. Long live the king, they shouted. Long live King Saul. 00:00:22 Speaker 2: Did you hear the messengers? Is Jabez truly under attack? 00:00:26 Speaker 3: Nahash and his host have come. The elders of Jabesh sent messengers, but no one has answered. 00:00:35 Speaker 2: People of Israel tremble in their homes. 00:00:38 Speaker 1: Saul held Samuel's gaze. 00:00:41 Speaker 2: What are you looking at me for? 00:00:43 Speaker 3: This seems to be the job. 00:00:44 Speaker 4: Of a king. 00:00:45 Speaker 1: Saul lifted his blade high and bellowed, his voice rolling across the forest and into the camp beyond. 00:00:52 Speaker 2: Fight, you mighty men of Israel! Fight as one nation under God! 00:00:58 Speaker 1: The Israelites surged forward, their battle cries splitting the quiet. A cheer rose from the Israelite ranks, a deafening roar of triumph. They had fought with the fury of God, and they had prevailed. For now, Saul said nothing. He stood tall, letting the moment consume him. But deep within, the seeds of pride had been planted, and Samuel... watching from the corner of his eye, saw them begin to take root. Israel had its king. Songs of triumph rang out across the land. Echoing through hills and valleys as the people praised Saul for his victory over the Ammonites. In every village stories were told of the battle, of how their new king had faced Nahash with unflinching courage and struck him down. Men, women and children alike sang of Saul, their hero, the saviour of Jabesh-Gilead. The name of their king was on every tongue, lifted high with adoration. Saul has killed his thousands! 00:02:16 Speaker 2: Saul has killed his thousands! 00:02:23 Speaker 1: But Samuel, the prophet, listened to the songs with a heavy heart. In the halls of the elders, where men sat marveling at Saul's strength and daring, Samuel sat in silence, his expression grave. Saul was there too, seated among them, listening humbly as the elders heaped praise upon him. For a moment, Samuel allowed himself to wonder if perhaps Saul was the king Israel needed. 00:02:54 Speaker 2: Who among us has doubted Saul? Let them be put to death for their insolence. 00:03:00 Speaker 1: The room murmured in agreement, but Saul rose quickly, his hands raised to silence them. 00:03:07 Speaker 2: No, no, brothers. Let no one be put to death this day. 00:03:11 Speaker 1: Today the Lord has worked salvation for his people. 00:03:15 Speaker 3: Let us rejoice in him and show mercy to one another. 00:03:18 Speaker 2: Ah, and he's a man of mercy and forgiveness too. 00:03:22 Speaker 3: Ha, ha, ha. 00:03:23 Speaker 2: Now this is our king. No one is better to unite the tribes. 00:03:28 Speaker 1: The room stirred in agreement. Samuel's eyes narrowed, his fingers tightening around the staff in his hand. He studied the young king carefully. Perhaps there was hope for this man. Perhaps Saul could be more than the people's foolish demand for a king. Samuel stood slowly, rising to address the room. His presence, though bent with age, still carried the authority of decades spent as the Lord's servant. 00:04:01 Speaker 2: Well, I suppose it's settled then. 00:04:03 Speaker 3: You have the king you've begged for. He's here, he's grand, and, well, I'm sure nothing could possibly go wrong. Let's coronate this young man before the Lord and the people at Gilmore. 00:04:19 Speaker 1: The elders murmured their approval. and preparations were made. The nation of Israel gathered once again, their joy unshaken, their songs rising anew as they journeyed to Gilgal. At Gilgal, the smell of roasted sacrifices filled the air as Samuel offered burnt offerings to the Lord. Beside the altar, Saul stood surrounded by the tribes who brought peace offerings and gifts to the Lord in thanksgiving. The people's cheers and songs were deafening, their voices raised in unison. Long live the King! Long live the King! Saul beamed from ear to ear, drinking in their acceptance. But Samuel stood apart. Watching the celebration with a sadness that gnawed at him, he could still hear the echoes of those same voices raised to God in years past. 00:05:25 Speaker 4: They used to sing of the Lord's deliverance. 00:05:29 Speaker 3: Now they sing of Saul. 00:05:32 Speaker 1: Samuel could feel it in his bones. Saul's reign would not bring the salvation they dreamed of. When the sacrifices were complete, Samuel climbed onto a stone platform overlooking the crowd. He raised his hands, and the cheers and songs quieted until only the crackling of the altar fire remained. 00:05:54 Speaker 2: Behold! I have obeyed your voice. 00:06:00 Speaker 3: You have asked for a king, and here he stands before you. 00:06:06 Speaker 2: I am old now. 00:06:08 Speaker 3: But I have faithfully walked before you since I was young. 00:06:14 Speaker 1: His voice faltered, his throat tightening as sorrow welled up within him. He gripped his staff, steadying himself. His gaze swept across the people. Children and elders, warriors and shepherds, the faces of a nation he had guided for so long. A single tear slid down his weathered cheek, though he made no move to wipe it away. He shook his head and snarled a bit, angry at the people for abandoning God as their king, hurt that they had rejected him in the process. 00:06:51 Speaker 3: Here I am, arms outstretched before you. Testify against me before God. If you have any qualms with how I've led you, Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or cheated? Have I oppressed any of you? Have I taken a bribe or taxed you unjustly? Tell me, and I shall make it right. 00:07:21 Speaker 1: The people shouted as one, their voices carrying up to the heavens. 00:07:26 Speaker 2: You've done no wrong to us, Samuel. You've been fair and just. You have honoured us. 00:07:33 Speaker 1: Samuel drove his staff into the stone beneath him, the sharp crack reverberating across the assembly. 00:07:40 Speaker 3: So then the Lord is witness against you. His anointed king is witness this. 00:07:50 Speaker 2: Day that I have done you no wrong. I have only served you, loved you, and led you in the ways of the Lord. 00:08:05 Speaker 1: Samuel's voice grew harsher, his tone that of a father scolding his wayward children. 00:08:13 Speaker 3: The Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron to bring your ancestors. 00:08:18 Speaker 2: Out of Egypt is witness. The Lord. 00:08:24 Speaker 3: who struck down the Egyptians and led you into this land, his witness. Your fathers cried out to him in their suffering, and he delivered them again and again, first from Egypt, then from the Moabites, Philistines. 00:08:45 Speaker 2: The Amalekites. 00:08:48 Speaker 3: Judges and warriors were sent to save you, to fight for you, and to keep you safe But still, you forget him! 00:08:59 Speaker 1: The sky darkened as Samuel spoke, thick clouds rolling in from the west, shrouding the sun. The people shifted uneasily, glancing at the heavens. 00:09:16 Speaker 3: The Lord has conquered kingdoms and toppled towers for you. Yet you whine for a king like children. When Nahash came, you did not call on the Lord to save you. No, you asked for a man. And here he is, the king you demanded. The Lord has given you what you wanted. 00:09:44 Speaker 2: But take heed. 00:09:47 Speaker 3: If you and your king obey him, all will be well. But if you rebel, your hearts grow proud and arrogant. If you forget the Lord. again, then he will stand against both you and your king. 00:10:08 Speaker 1: The wind howled and the sky turned black. The people began to murmur, fear flickering in their eyes. Saul did his best to remain right where he was, hiding the embarrassment welling up within him. This was supposed to be his coronation, but Samuel had turned it into a day of judgment. 00:10:29 Speaker 3: Stand and see what the Lord will do before your eyes! Thunder and rain shall come to show you how greatly you have grieved the. 00:10:42 Speaker 2: Heart of God! 00:10:52 Speaker 1: Lightning split the sky, striking a cypress tree behind Samuel. The tree erupted into flames, its branches crackling as the fire spread. A moment later... The heavens opened and rain poured down in torrents. Thunder roared, shaking the earth beneath their feet. The people cried out in terror, falling to their knees. 00:11:17 Speaker 2: Pray for us, Samuel. We have sinned. We have added to the sins of our fathers by asking for a king. 00:11:25 Speaker 1: Samuel sighed, the rain soaking his robes as he stood tall against a storm. Do not fear. 00:11:34 Speaker 3: The Lord will not forsake his people, for it pleases him to make you his own. 00:11:42 Speaker 2: But you must serve him with all your heart. 00:11:48 Speaker 4: Do not cling to worthless things that can neither satisfy nor save. 00:11:57 Speaker 3: As for me, I. 00:11:59 Speaker 4: Will not sin by ceasing my prayers for you. I will still be here to guide you, counsel you, and offer sacrifices on your behalf. 00:12:11 Speaker 2: But heed this warning. 00:12:14 Speaker 3: If wickedness rules your hearts, you and your king shall be swept away. 00:12:22 Speaker 2: For the Lord resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:12:28 Speaker 1: The storm began to subside, the rain quenching the fire and leaving the ground sodden The people left in silence, their spirits subdued. Saul remained behind, standing at a distance as he watched Samuel descend from the platform. For the first time, a seed of bitterness took root in Saul's heart. He wondered if Samuel had ever truly wanted him to be king, or if the old prophet was secretly praying for his failure. He smiled thinly as Samuel approached. masking his thoughts. Together, they left Gilgal to begin the work of establishing Saw's kingdom. But deep within Saw, something had begun to shift. This PrayDogCon production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.