And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
Samuel gave the warning after Israel rejected God's rule by demanding a human king, a sinful choice to submit to a man rather than to God that brings trouble. It warns Israel not to turn away from following the Lord to go after vain things. Those vain things are the customs and authority of other nations, held up as objects of trust and false hopes instead of God, including reliance on a human king. Such things are empty, futile and powerless; they cannot profit, benefit or help, nor deliver or save.
Instead Israel is to fear and serve the Lord faithfully, wholeheartedly and with all the heart, remembering what He has done. Despite their wrongdoing they need not despair, for God in mercy has not abandoned them and will not forsake His people when they obey Him. If they continue in wickedness, they and their king will be destroyed.
Samuel gave the warning after Israel rejected God's rule by demanding a human king, a sinful choice to submit to a man rather than to God that brings trouble. It warns Israel not to turn away from following the Lord to go after vain things. Those vain things are the customs and authority of other nations, held up as objects of trust and false hopes instead of God, including reliance on a human king. Such things are empty, futile and powerless; they cannot profit, benefit or help, nor deliver or save.
Instead Israel is to fear and serve the Lord faithfully, wholeheartedly and with all the heart, remembering what He has done. Despite their wrongdoing they need not despair, for God in mercy has not abandoned them and will not forsake His people when they obey Him. If they continue in wickedness, they and their king will be destroyed.