*1 Samuel 8:6-22
Displeased by the Israelites’ rejection of God as their king, Samuel warns them of the burdens a human king will impose.
- The People’s Request:
- The elders of Israel approach Samuel, expressing their desire for a king to rule over them.
- They cite Samuel’s sons’ corruption as a reason for seeking a change in leadership.
- Samuel’s Response:
- Samuel is deeply troubled by their request and prays to the Lord for guidance.
- God instructs Samuel to warn the people about the implications of having a king.
- Warning of Kingship:
- Samuel conveys God’s warning to the people, outlining how a king would exploit them for his own gain.
- He predicts heavy taxation, conscription into the military, and forced labor under the king’s rule.
- Rejection of God’s Rule:
- Despite Samuel’s warnings, the people persist in their demand for a king.
- They insist that they want to be like other nations with a visible, earthly ruler to lead them into battle and judge them.
- God’s Approval:
- Despite the people’s rejection of His guidance, God instructs Samuel to heed their request and appoint a king.
- However, He warns Samuel to make them fully aware of the consequences and the nature of the king’s rule.
- Conclusion:
- Samuel conveys God’s decision to the people and warns them again of the consequences of their choice.
- The people remain resolute, and Samuel agrees to find them a king to reign over them, signaling a significant shift in Israel’s political landscape.
1 Samuel 8:6-22 shows us the importance of listening to God rather than insisting on our own way. The Israelites demanded a king, even after God warned them of the troubles it would bring. Sometimes, we want something so badly that we ignore wise advice or the consequences. This passage teaches us to trust God’s wisdom, even when His answer isn’t what we want. When making decisions, we should pray, listen, and trust that God knows what is truly best for us.
1 Samuel 8:6-22 (WEB)
8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.”Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do to you. 9 Now therefore, listen to their voice. However, you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who will reign over them.”10 Samuel told all the LORD’s words to the people who asked him for a king. 11 He said, “This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them as his servants, for his chariots and to be his horsemen; and they will run before his chariots. 12 He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest; and to make his instruments of war and the instruments of his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers, to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 He will take your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, even your best, and give them to his servants. 15 He will take one tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work. 17 He will take one tenth of your flocks; and you will be his servants. 18 You will cry out in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves; and the LORD will not answer you in that day.”19 But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”21 Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. 22 The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and make them a king.”Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go to your own city.”