16 Just stand here and watch the Lord show his mighty power.
17 Isn't this the dry season? I'm going to ask the Lord to send a thunderstorm. When you see it, you will realize how wrong you were to ask for a king.
18 Samuel prayed, and that same day the Lord sent a thunderstorm. Everyone was afraid of the Lord and of Samuel.
19 They told Samuel, “Please, pray to the Lord your God for us! We don't want to die. We have sinned many times in the past, and we were very wrong to ask for a king.”
20 Samuel answered:Even though what you did was wrong, you don't need to be afraid. But you must always follow the Lord and worship him with all your heart.
21 Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble.
22 But the Lord has chosen you to be his own people. He will always take care of you so that everyone will know how great he is.