Samuel said nothing of the slight which had been put upon himself; he uttered no reproach for the ingratitude with which Israel had repaid his lifelong devotion; but he assured them of his unceasing interest for them: "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king."

Samuel sagde intet om den foragt, som folket havde vist ham. Han bebrejdede dem ikke, fordi de kun gav ham utak for hans lange og hengivne indsats for deres skyld. Derimod forsikrede han dem om, at han fortsat ville nære en levende interesse for dem. "Det være også langt fra mig at synde mod Herren og høre op med at bede for Eder; jeg vil også vise Eder den gode og rette vej; men frygt Herren og tjen ham oprigtigt af hele Eders hjerte; thi se, hvor store ting han gjorde imod Eder! Men hvis I handler ilde, skal både I og Eders konge gå til grunde!"