And Samuel said unto them, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness — Samuel acknowledges the people's sin but reassures them: 'Fear not' (al tirah). The wickedness is acknowledged but will not be fatal if repentance follows. yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart — Samuel calls for renewed commitment: 'turn not aside' (al tasuru) from following God, and 'serve the LORD with all your heart' (ivdu YHWH bkol levavchemm). Complete devotion of heart (levav, the inner being) to God is the remedy for having rejected God's kingship.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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