16 “So now take a stand! Look at this awesome thing the Lord is doing.
17 Isn’t the wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord to send thunder and rain. Then you will know and will see for yourselves what great evil you’ve done in the Lord’s eyes by asking for a king."
18 Samuel called upon the Lord, and God sent thunder and rain on that very day. Then all the people were in awe of the Lord and Samuel.
19 All of them said to Samuel, "Please pray for us, your servants, to the Lord your God so we don’t die because we have added to our many sins the evil of asking for a king."
20 But Samuel answered the people, "Don’t be afraid. Yes, you’ve done all this evil; just don’t turn back from following the Lord. Serve the Lord with all your heart.
21 Don’t turn aside to follow useless idols that can’t help you or save you. They’re absolutely useless!
22 For the sake of his reputation, the Lord won’t abandon his people, because the Lord has decided to make you his very own people.