The Israelites asked for a king. They ignored the Lord’s warning. Samuel reported their words to the Lord, and the Lord then told Samuel to appoint them a king.

“Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, ‘No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.’ Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the LORD’S hearing. And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to their voice, and appoint them a king.’ So Samuel said to the men of Israel, ‘Go every man to his city’” (1 Samuel 8:19–22).

Life seems simple, but people make it difficult through irresponsible choices. God’s way is far better, yet people insist on their own plans and believe their thoughts are superior. They cling to their decisions. God sometimes grants such requests, but the consequences may follow for generations.

In the Garden

Reflect on what happened in the Garden of Eden. The same pattern occurred: the tempter enticed Adam and Eve to reject God’s authority over their lives. When we accept God’s rule, we follow what He has commanded. God offers far more than earthly kings can provide. The Garden demonstrated this. No person can create such a place for us, regardless of the promises made.

The tempter repeatedly entices people to believe that their own plans or ideas—such as having their own king—would be better. This event was another sign of the same stubborn heart.

The Future with a King

First Samuel 9:1 marks an important moment in Israel’s history: they were about to have their own kings. Although God was a far better King, they would learn the limitations of earthly rulers so that they could long for the righteous King God promised—Jesus Christ.

The years of David and Solomon might appear good, and they were evidence of God’s grace, but they were relatively brief. Overall, many kings of Israel and Judah were evil and did not follow God’s ways. Even David and Solomon had serious flaws that affected thousands of Israelites.

Solomon accumulated many chariots despite the Law’s warning (compare 1 Kings 10:26). First Kings 11 then describes how Solomon’s heart drifted away from God. Many years later, Israel also rejected Jesus as the King of Israel. Yet through that rejection, God made a way for us to receive forgiveness through Jesus and a new heart that embraces His Lordship.

In Your Life

The Lord is King, but do you also insist on your own way? Do you believe your way is better than what God has planned for you? Beware of the tempter and his promises. Our sin exposes our unbelief; we begin to trust something other than God.

Many people become convinced that depending on government to meet every need—no matter the cost—is better than trusting what God provides. God designed government to be His servant, not His substitute. The more we treat government as our ultimate provider, the more distance we create between ourselves and God.

Is there any reason to doubt God’s provision? No. He is faithful. God gave Israel its own land, flowing with milk and honey, but the people still thought their own way was better.

Conclusions and Applications

God’s people often find themselves in situations where they believe a path other than God’s is better. In each case, they turn away from the Lord. They abandon what is best. They compromise. What will it take for us to embrace and live by the conviction that God’s ways are always better, even when they seem less appealing at the moment?

• Obey your parents?
• Live within your means?
• Forgive fully?
• Be patient with others?

The best way to live is in a fearless pursuit of God. Sometimes following Him will seem unreasonable. If God were not present and closely watching, it would be foolish or dangerous.

God is present.

He is watching over you and me. As we live by His promises, we will find a special garden springing up around us. God is seeking those who will confess Him as King and follow Him.

“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:11).

Review: Bible Study Questions for 1 Samuel 8