We want a King

22. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today our text leads us to our study; the beginning of the monarchy and how it can to be.   Let’s look at the text:

I Samuel 8:1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.”

As you can see in the text Samuel was the judge over Israel and he ruled well but Samuel was now growing old and he appointed his sons who were Joel and Abijah as judges for Israel but they were dishonest boys and they walked not in the way of their father.   

The elders of Israel came to Samuel and they said because he is old and his sons do not walk in his ways they wanted to be ruled like the other nations with a king.  Israel saw the other lands around them and how they had kings to rule and wanted that style of leadership.  Israel had always been a unique nation in that their God was their king and God worked through his prophets and appointed representatives.  Israel had thus far be a theocratic nation which means God ruled.   Now Israel is in the land of promise and they have seen how other nations are ruled and what has made them distinctive all this time, they now want to change.

This request from the Israelites displeased Samuel and he went to the Lord in prayer and God consoled Samuel and told him not to take it personal.  The people were not rejecting Samuel but they were rejecting God as they had always done since bringing them out of Egypt.  God instructed Samuel to listen to the people but also warn them and let them know what would one day happen with the kings that would be appointed over them. 

Next week, we will continue our study as we get into the first king of the monarchy and as we find out what Samuel would say about the kings that would rule.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend.   For all my friends that tune in from other countries where Monday is not a holiday, I want you to know that I will not be posting on Monday so I’ll see you in web land on Tuesday. 

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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