God empowered Samuel

^13-15 “So here’s the king you wanted, the king you asked for. God has let you have your own way, given you a king. If you fear God, worship and obey him, and don’t rebel against what he tells you. If both you and your king follow God, no problem. God will be sure to save you. But if you don’t obey him and rebel against what he tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.
^16-17 “Pay attention! Watch this wonder that God is going to perform before you now! It’s summer, as you well know, and the rainy season is over. But I’m going to pray to God. He’ll send thunder and rain, a sign to convince you of the great wrong you have done to God by asking for a king.”
¹⁸ Samuel prayed to God, and God sent thunder and rain that same day. The people were greatly afraid and in awe of God and of Samuel.
¹⁹ Then all the people begged Samuel, “Pray to your God for us, your servants. Pray that we won’t die! On top of all our other sins, we’ve piled on one more—asking for a king!”

^20-22 Samuel said to them, “Don’t be fearful. It’s true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don’t turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don’t chase after ghost-gods. There’s nothing to them. They can’t help you. They’re nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who he is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people.
^23-25 “And neither will I walk off and leave you. That would be a sin against God! I’m staying right here at my post praying for you and teaching you the good and right way to live. But I beg of you, fear God and worship him honestly and heartily. You’ve seen how greatly he has worked among you! Be warned: If you live badly, both you and your king will be thrown out.”
 
I just love how God works here. Note that at this point, God had  commanded Samuel to appoint Saul as king. And Saul is king. Even said, Samuel is still speaking that he is speaking above everyone else, including the king. It is evident  in the last verse, "If you live badly, both you and your king will be thrown out." He spoke that like he is above everyone and everything else. That is exemplary, and evident that spirit of God was with him. Samuel prayed to God for thunder and rain as a sign of Israel's sins and God sent thunder and rain. 

This goes to the extent of showing the relationship that Samuel enjoys. Samuel was in sync with God. He shares God's vision and God's plan. He also shares God's joy and God's pain. He had an exclusive relationship with God.

We should all aspire to build this close relationship with God! So that we are closer to Him and can do His will!