- The desire of Israel for a king, as expressed by their elders to Samuel,was a turning point in their history. Samuel was their judge, and that was the system of rule at the time. Chapters 9 and 10 describe the process by which God revealed the identity of Israel’s king. So God gave them their hearts’ desire in King Saul. Additionally, not only did God use Israel’s might to punish evil nations like these, He used the Babylonian, Assyrian, and Egyptian kings to punish Israel. God didn't want Israel to have a king because he was their king, but since the people longed for one, He had his prophet Samuel anoint a man named Saul as the first king of Israel. Chapter 10:17-27 records the process by which God publicly identified Saul to the Israelites as their king. He was their leader. 8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. And his line of kings was no all-star lineup. And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world" (Tennyson) Introductory. This desire was not new. God does not prevent us from sinning, and He does not force us to live righteously. 1 Samuel 8:9-18 In I Samuel 8:9-18, God strongly forewarns Israel about the painful future they were creating for themselves by desiring a king to rule over them. King: a ruler who answers to no one Lesson Outline Lesson Text Israel wanted a king. When people want to sin or lose faith in God, He does not take away their free will, but they will have to live with the consequences. It existed long before (Judges 8:22; Judges 9:9). In 9:1–10:16, the author relates the way God privately revealed to Saul that he was to become Israel’s king. The King the People Wanted. Indeed, it stood as a symbol of judgment against the nation, and it was repeatedly destroyed. They were turning against God himself instead of Samuel. Israel Asks for a King. Even an attempt to rebuild it in 363 and it is reported that fire erupted from the earth beneath the site killing those doing the work. In 1 Samuel 8, Israel wants to install a king to make them like other nations. God had previously said in Deuteronomy 17 that the time would come when Israel would have a king, so their wanting a king is not the issue. Another reason it was wrong to ask for a king is that the Israelites did so in order to be like “all the other nations.” God had created Israel as a unique people. Consequently, God allowed Israel to have their own king. Despite God’s warnings, they were adamant — enough with this judge stuff; give us a king! Someday they would be sorry, but they would have to learn that the hard way. For now, though, God would not just turn his people over to another human being, even if he were a king. God will often use human forces to mete out His discipline. The people of Israel admired and respected Samuel, but he was getting old; and they did not want to be governed by his sons, who had a terrible reputation. Verses 10-18 record what God told Samuel to communicate to Israel that they would experience with their new king. When the Israelites wanted a king like other nations had, they were rejecting their unique, set-apart position as God’s people. As God permitted Israel to have a king, he allowed the temple to be built, but it was never his will. 1. Subsequent monarchy in Israel, especially that of the house of David, was divinely intended to point to the incarnation when Israel’s God became flesh, and was born into the royal line of King David, thus reasserting the LORD’s rights as not only the Lord of Israel, but also as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are probably familiar with Samuel's successor, King David, referred to by God as "A man after my own heart". 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