*1 Samuel 8:1-5
The Israelites, dissatisfied with Samuel’s sons as judges, request a king to rule them like other nations.
- Israel’s Desire for a King:
- As Samuel grows old, he appoints his sons as judges over Israel, but they do not follow in his ways and are corrupt, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
- The elders of Israel come to Samuel at Ramah and express their discontent with his sons’ leadership, demanding that Samuel appoint a king to rule over them like all the other nations.
1 Samuel 8:1-5 teaches us to be careful about wanting what others have instead of trusting God’s plan for us. The Israelites asked for a king because they saw other nations had one, but they didn’t consider whether that was best for them. This reminds us that just because something looks good for others doesn’t mean it’s right for us. Instead of following the crowd, we should seek God’s wisdom and trust that His way is always best.
1 Samuel 8:1-5 (WEB)
8:1 When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. 3 His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah. 5 They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”