1 Samuel 8

 

How is Jesus Christ different from earthly kings?

"Samuel’s sons take bribes and pervert judgment—The Israelites seek for a king to rule over them—Samuel rehearses the nature and evils of kingly rule—The Lord consents to give them a king.

1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

6 ¶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.

7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

10 ¶ And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king.

11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

19 ¶ Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.

22 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city." (1 Samuel 8)

And here's the commentary entitled: "Jesus Christ is my King." : 

"1 Samuel 8 tells of an event that would forever change the destiny of the Israelites. For protection against their enemies, the Israelites wanted what their neighbors had—a king to rule over them. As you read about their request and the Lord’s response, think about who you look to for safety and guidance. Consider what it means to let the Lord “reign over [you]” (1 Samuel 8:7).

Over the coming weeks, you will read about a number of kings called to lead Israel. As you learn about them, consider the following questions:

• How were the Lord’s warnings fulfilled in 1 Samuel 8:10–18?

• How were the children of Israel affected by their choice to have an earthly king?

• How is Jesus Christ different from earthly kings? Consider what worldly influences you may need to remove from your life to let Christ be your King.

See also “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!,” Hymns, no. 66." 

The children of Israel were so determined to have an earthly king that they didn't listen to Samuel's warnings on the consequences making such choice. They just wanted to be just like their neigbors, forgetting that they were a peculiar people unto the Lord and that they were supposed to let Him reign over them as their only King.

Jesus Christ is different from earthly kings in many ways:

• He is perfect.
• There is no issue at all in the way He treats us because He loves us and cares for us.
• He never lets us down. He always lifts us up.
• He never has the tendency to abuse us.
• We can always count on Him.
• He always keeps His promises.
• He sacrificed for us.

The worldly influences I may need to remove from my life to let Christ be my King: 

• My tendency to get distracted and spend a lot of time and energy in things that don't matter the most.
• My tendency to get occupied by things that I'm concerned about personally there are people around me.
• My tendency to think of myself as superior to others.

 

 

1 Samuel 9:2–3, 21; 1 Samuel 15:17; 1 Samuel 10:21–22; 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Samuel 10:9

 

What do the stories of Saul and David teach you about the difference between how people see us and how God sees us?

"2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

3 And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?" (1 Samuel 9:2–3, 21)

"17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?" (1 Samuel 15:17)

"21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.

22 Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff." (1 Samuel 10:21–22)

"7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

"9 ¶ And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day." (1 Samuel 10:9)

And here's the introductory commentary for this week's reading assignment: "June 8–14: “The Lord Looketh on the Heart” 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16 : 

"Saul was a keeper of donkeys. Though tall and handsome, he was “little in [his] own sight” and self-conscious about his family heritage (see 1 Samuel 9:2–3, 21; 15:17). On the day he was to be presented before Israel as their king, he didn’t show up; he was so nervous he “hid himself” (1 Samuel 10:21–22). Looking at Saul, you might not have guessed that he would lead the Israelites to victory over their enemies—or that he would later become prideful and rebel against the Lord.

David was a keeper of sheep. He wasn’t as physically impressive as his seven older brothers. On the day Samuel came to choose a new king for Israel, it didn’t seem worthwhile to include David among the possible candidates, so he was left out in the fields with the sheep. Looking at David, you might not have guessed that he would have the faith and courage to defeat a giant and become Israel’s most successful king.

But the Lord sees past our labels, our physical appearance, our insecurities. He looks, instead, “on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). And even when our heart isn’t quite right, if we’re willing, He will give us “another heart” (1 Samuel 10:9)."

The stories of Saul and David teach us that while people see our physical appearance and our insecurities or weaknesses, and are prone to label us, the Lord looks on the heart. And when we come unto Him, He shows us our weaknesses and transforms us, giving us "another heart" when our heart isn't quite right.