Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 8

Give Us a King

When Samuel got to be an old man, he set his sons up as judges in Israel. But his sons were shady characters and didn’t take after him; they were out for what they could get for themselves, taking bribes, and corrupting justice.

Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel. They presented their case: “Look, you’re an old man, and your sons aren’t following in your footsteps. Here’s what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else.”

When Samuel heard their demand—“Give us a king to rule us!”—he was crushed.  So, Samuel prayed to God, who answered him and said, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected ME as their King. From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they’ve been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they’re doing it to you. So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they’re in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they’re likely to get from a king.”

So Samuel told them in no uncertain terms what it will be like when they have a king.  He said, “Your king will take your sons and make soldiers of them and force them into dangerous battles.  He’ll put some of you to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. He’ll put your daughters to work as servants and slaves. He’ll confiscate your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. He’ll tax your harvests and vineyards to support his extensive bureaucracy. Your prize workers and best animals he’ll take for his own use. He’ll lay a tax on your flocks and you’ll end up no better than slaves. The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don’t expect the LORD to answer.”

But the people wouldn’t listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We will have a king to rule us! Then we’ll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles.”  It is remarkable that they want to be “like all the other nations,” when no other nation has had such an amazing opportunity as Israel.  No other nation had ever been chosen by the LORD to be His special people.  No other nation had ever had the unimaginable privilege of entering into a covenant with their Creator.  No other nation had been promised the coming of the Savior of the World!  No other nation was the object of God’s special care and protection and provision.  No other nation had the LORD, Himself as their King.  Yet, the people were blind to all of these incredible privileges and decide to settle for a human king.  

Tragically, as humans often do, they settle for “second best.”  Nevertheless, the LORD told Samuel, “Do as they request. Give them a king.”

So often we, too, settle for "second best."  We seek comfort and success in this world's systems when we have the incredible privilege of being God's chosen people and following His leadership.  If we insist long enough, the LORD will allow us to have our way.  But beware, you will regret not staying the course with God's perfect plan for your life.