Week 2: King Saul
Monday - 1 Samuel 8
Today we read 1 Samuel 8, and in this chapter, we are taken out of the era of the Judges and into the era of the Kings. The Israelites go to Samuel and demand from him a king. Samuel is, of course, not happy with this. On the one hand, if they want a king, so that means that God is NOT their king. God has been leading them since they came out of Egypt - and now they want a king "like the other nations?" On the other hand, he also probably felt rejected because he is the judge and they tell him "make us a king to judge us like all the nations." And this is why the Lord told him "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me."
But Samuel despite his displeasure, turns to the Lord and prays. And the Lord tells him to heed the voice of the people. First, warn them about what it means to have a king, and what the bad behavior of the kings will be, and then if they still want a king, give them one.
The Lord, in his foreknowledge, had planned for this. If we open Deuteronomy 17, there's a section in the Law of Moses about kings and the principles governing kings. You can read it in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, but I'll summarize it here.
- "a king whom the Lord your God chooses"
- "one from among your brethren; not a foreigner"
- "not multiply horses or cause the people to return to Egypt"
- "not multiply wives for himself"
- "not multiply silver and gold for himself"
- He should write for himself a copy of the Law of Moses from the one before the priests and it shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.
The role of the king was meant to be a spiritual leader of the people. If he walked in all of God's commandments and observed them, then the people would follow him. But if he didn't... if he introduced idol worship, or if he became distracted by many wars, or distracted by women or by money, then he would lead the people astray.
Unfortunately, most of the kings that will reign over Israel will fall short of these requirements. Some will be good - not perfect, but good - like King David. Some kings will start out bad and repent - like King Manasseh. Some kings will start out good and get worse - like King Saul, who we will read about in tomorrow's chapter.
Don't forget to read the Scripture. God bless you.
No comments to display
No comments to display