Give us a King

Give us a King Steven Keith
Samuel was the last judge that judged Israel well. Samuel helped save the Israelites from
the Philistines and he helped lead the people back to God. Samuel was getting old so he
appointed his two sons Joel and Abijah as judges of Israel. However, I Samuel 8:3 says “But his
sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and
perverted justice.” The elders come to Samuel and say “your sons are bad, so appoint us a king
like all the other nations have.” Samuel was displeased, so he prayed to God and God told him
they are not rejecting you, but they are rejecting me as their king. God says in I Samuel 8:9
“Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign
over them will do.” Samuel tells them all the things a king will do them, but the people still
want a King. I wonder if Samuel’s sons were good, if the people would still want a king.
I Samuel 8:20 says “Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go
out before us and fight our battles.” Then God grants the people there wish and tells Samuel
to grant them their wish and to give them a king. Samuel goes on later to anoint Saul as the
first king of Israel. The story could have been a whole lot different if Joel and Abijah would have followed their father’s footsteps.