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1 Samuel 8 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Samuel’s reputation as a judge was top-notch. He followed in a long line of judges who would call God’s people back to repentance, but only for a specific period of time. Because Samuel’s sons failed to follow in his footsteps, the elders now request a king. How was this different from a judge?
- A judge would be called for a time, to serve God’s purposes and then move on. A king would reign exclusively and pass his reign on to an heir.
- A judge was the extension of God’s will, purposed to meet a need in a time of crisis. A king would set up a kingdom, a government, and a bureaucracy.
- A judge was always chosen by God. A king (as in this case) was chosen by the people. Samuel is very troubled by this and takes it personally. God assures him it isn’t him the people are tired of following, but rather, God Himself. It has been this way since the beginning.
- In the end, Samuel warns the people, but they still decide to choose a king.
When that time comes, you will complain bitterly because of your king, whom you yourselves chose, but the LORD will not listen to your complaints.”
1 Samuel 8:18 GNB
In many ways, a king was a step backward for Israel. The people wanted a kingdom ruled by man (like other nations) rather than a kingdom ruled directly by God.
“The people forgot their covenant relation to Jehovah—that they were a peculiar nation, with a peculiar history and a peculiar mission. Such a demand showed ingratitude, distrust and disloyalty toward God. They wanted to better their government instead of reforming their character, and looked to legislation for help which could come only from righteousness.”
Biblical Illustrator
He gave them what they asked for. This is what God does. When we plant our stake in the ground and refuse to listen to any reason or logic, God will often allow that part of us to die so that restoration can begin. For Israel, acquiring a king was the hill they were fully willing to die on… and death would certainly follow. It would not be their king, but the King of Kings who would finally die on a hill to satisfy the cravings of humanity.
We wanted a King. We needed a Savior. Jesus was both.