¹⁹ Then all the people said to Samuel, “^(A)Pray to the Lord your God for your servants, so that we do not die; for we have added to all our sins ^(B)this evil, by asking for ourselves a king.” ²⁰ Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet ^(C)do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. ²¹ Indeed, you must not turn aside, for then you would go after ^(D)useless things which cannot benefit or save, because they are useless. ²² For ^(E)the Lord will not abandon His people ^(F)on account of His great name, because the Lord ^(G)has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. ²³ Furthermore, as for me, ^(H)far be it from me that I would sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but ^(I)I will instruct you in the good and right way. ^24 (J)Only ^[a]fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider ^(K)what great things He has done for you.

⁴ Perhaps the Lord your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to ^(A)taunt the living God, and will avenge the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for ^(B)the remnant that is left.’”