“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 claim as his rights.” 1 Samuel 8.6-9
And the Lord said, “It is not you they have rejected… but they have rejected me as their king.”
This isn’t the first time this has happened. The Israelites have been rejecting God as their king for a long time. “Since I brought them out of Egypt until this day,” says the Lord. For years and years, the Israelites have been told what God will do for them. They have been warned what other kings will ask of them. And still, they are asking for a king.
What must God think of them—and us? Humanity has been rejecting God and His will since the beginning of time. Is it pride? Surely it must be! Why else would we continue to reject a good and loving God if not for our own selfishness and desires?
Israel wanted to be like the other nations that had a king ruling over them. But in truth, they were not any better off. As the saying goes, “The grass is always greener…”—so they believed it would be for them. “Just give us a king!” they asked Samuel. And the Lord said, “Do it,” but “warn them what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
Human nature is very forgetful. If we would only read and remember the promises of the Lord, we would not stray into sin. Imagine the grief we would be spared if we trusted God completely, making Him our King and our Lord, rather than succumbing to the temptations of this world.
As we will see, Samuel gave them a king, and he was not all he was cracked up to be! Again, they would learn a valuable lesson: only God can be King.
“O Lord God, thank you for this day. Thank you for this life and for the blessings that surround it. Even the hardships can draw me to you and increase my dependence upon your Word and Spirit. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power. I trust you Lord and love your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen