1Sa 12:10 | TNotes | STEP | 12:10 Then they cried to the Lord : Sometimes only suffering turns people’s hearts toward God. During the period of the judges, Israel repeatedly went through cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and rescue. • Baal and Ashtoreth: When people turn away from God, they inevitably turn to idols (see 7:3 ; Judg 2:13 ; 10:6 ). • An attitude such as if you will rescue us turns worship into a debased bargain, in which God must perform some action to a person’s liking. God deserves obedience and worship because he is God, not because of favors he can perform.

cJudg 2:13►

‏ 1 Samuel 12:10

12:10 ^a Then they cried to the Lord: Sometimes only suffering turns people’s hearts toward God. During the period of the judges, Israel repeatedly went through cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and rescue.

• Baal and Ashtoreth: When people turn away from God, they inevitably turn to idols (see 7:3 ^b; Judg 2:13 ^c; 10:6 ^d).

• An attitude such as if you will rescue us turns worship into a debased bargain, in which God must perform some action to a person’s liking. God deserves obedience and worship because he is God, not because of favors he can perform.