In the days of Samuel the Israelites wandered from God. They were suffering the consequences of sin; for they had lost their faith in God, lost their discernment of His power and wisdom to rule the nation, lost their confidence in His ability to defend and vindicate His cause. They turned from the great Ruler of the universe and desired to be governed as were the nations around them. Before they found peace they made this definite confession:

"We have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king." 1 Samuel 12:19.

The very sin of which they were convicted had to be confessed. Their ingratitude oppressed their souls and severed them from God.

Go on to How to make confession acceptable to God...

White, Ellen Gould: Steps to Christ. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1892; SC 38.2