Samuel led Israel as a judge all his life. As he was getting older, he handed over his job to his two sons. However, they failed to follow their father’s way to fear God and shepherd the people (3).

The elders of Israel gathered and came to Samuel. It was good for them to be proactive, trying to resolve the issue of bad leadership. But their hearts were not in the right place. They demanded a king just like all other nations (4). Samuel was unhappy with this challenge. Yet God knew these people were not rejecting Samuel but rejecting God himself (7). God had hope and vision for Israel to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:6). Yet, these people rejected God here, and later rejected Jesus as their king (Jn 19:15).

God was going to let them have their wish. Yet he warned them through Samuel. Unlike a judge raised by God to lead his people during a crisis, a king would reign over them. Their sons and daughters will be his servants. Heavy tax will be charged to cover the king’s expenses. More than anything, they will not be able to turn to God for rescue if they suffer under the king’s rule (18). The Israelites still wanted a king like all others. They did not know what they were doing (Lk 23:34a).
Application: Father, thank you for the privilege to have you as my king. I find peace in your power and mercy. Set me apart to worship you as my king.
One Word: God is my king.