1. The people ask for a king (1-5)

During the period of the judges, everyone did what was right in his own eyes, and the land was full of idolatry and lawlessness. Samuel had filled the leadership void, but Samuel was getting old and his sons were corrupt. The elders of Israel asked him to appoint a king to lead them. They wanted to be like the other nations.

2. Samuel prays about it (6-22)

Samuel saw their request as a rejection of himself--and a rejection of God, for God was their king. They did not have to be like the other nations, for they were God's people. God himself was their defense. So Samuel prayed. God told Samuel that he was right; their request came from wrong motives. But if, after being made aware of all the dangers of a monarchy, they still wanted a king, he was to grant their request. God himself planned to establish a kingdom--for his own reasons (Dt 17:14-20).

Application: Lord, when I feel that I am right, and others seem wrong, help me to pray.
One Word: In times of change, pray