After establishing his own flawless record as a leader, Samuel transitions to guiding the nation through a profound historical reckoning. By first ensuring his own hands are completely clean of any suspicion, he earns the moral authority to rebuke the people justly and without fault [מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה]. He invokes God as the absolute witness to his honesty, drawing a direct line between his own integrity and the leadership of Moses and Aaron, who were similarly guided by God [מלבי״ם, רד״ק, צאינה וראינה].
God's role in the lives of Moses and Aaron was one of active preparation and nurturing. He raised them, elevated them, and taught them for their ultimate mission [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, God worked directly with these leaders, performing great miracles and wonders by means of their efforts [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד].
The primary reason Samuel recalls the Exodus from Egypt is to remove a dangerous misconception from the minds of the people. He wants to uproot the belief that their survival depends on a mortal king. He reminds them that their historical salvation never relied on natural military strength. Instead, it was always the result of Divine providence and the merit of righteous individuals whom God brought into the world specifically to rescue the Israelites [אלשיך]. Their ancestors were redeemed from Egypt because of their absolute trust in God. The current generation should have maintained that exact same trust instead of demanding a human monarch [אהבת יהונתן].
Through this historical review, Samuel establishes a clear and timeless principle. God saves the Israelites sometimes through leaders who are perfect in their character and sometimes through those who are lacking, but salvation always hinges entirely on the people returning to God. If they observe the Torah, God will fight their battles just as He did during the era of the Judges. However, if they stray from the right path, no mortal king will be able to save them, and His hand will turn against them [רלב״ג].