1 Samuel 8 explains why God’s people often find themselves in less-than-ideal situations. What about your life? Have you compromised somewhere? Have you demanded something and then realized—or are just now realizing—that what seemed better actually caused more worry?

A. Rejection of the Lord (1 Samuel 8:1–8)

1. What did Samuel do when he grew old (1 Samuel 8:1)? Why?
2. How did Samuel’s sons live and lead (1 Samuel 8:2–3)?
3. How did Israel’s elders respond to Samuel’s decision (1 Samuel 8:4–5)?
4. What reasons did the elders give for requesting a king (1 Samuel 8:5, 20)?
5. Why do you think Samuel was displeased by their request (1 Samuel 8:6)?
6. How did Samuel handle his disappointment (1 Samuel 8:6)? How do you respond when matters do not go your way?
7. Why was God displeased with the people’s request? Also read Deuteronomy 17:14–20.
8. Are you ever tempted to believe that the world’s ways are better than God’s? Give an example and consider the consequences.

B. Tough Consequences (1 Samuel 8:9–18)

1. What two things did the Lord tell Samuel to do (1 Samuel 8:9)?
2. What warning did Samuel give beginning in verse 11?
3. Why did the Lord have Samuel explain what the king would do (1 Samuel 8:9)?
4. List at least ten consequences of choosing a king (1 Samuel 8:11–18).
5. Which consequence would trouble you the most? Why?
6. Describe three situations in which people choose the world’s way without fully considering the consequences.
7. Can a person return to God after making foolish choices? Read 1 Samuel 8:18 and 1 John 1:9. What would you recommend to a friend who wants to return to the Lord?

C. Insisting on Our Own Way (1 Samuel 8:19–22)

1. How did the people respond to Samuel’s warning about the heavy costs of having a king (1 Samuel 8:19–20)?
2. If having a king would bring such burdens, why did the Lord permit them to have one (1 Samuel 8:9, 22)?
3. What should a parent do when a child insists on something that will cause long-term problems?
4. Where might you be insisting on your own way rather than trusting God’s wisdom?

Summary and Further Study

• Compromise often begins with deception. Compare Israel’s choice with what happened in the Garden of Eden. Why did Adam and Eve eat the fruit? Why did Israel compromise here?
• Jesus is King and rules over all. Do you faithfully serve Him, or do you put your desires first? Ask the Lord to reveal where you have slowly drifted from obedience.
• For further study, read 1 Kings 9–10:25 about God’s blessings to Solomon, then 1 Kings 10:26 and 11:1–8 about Solomon’s disobedience and spiritual decline. Continue through 1 Kings 11 to observe the consequences.

Next: Read the 1 Samuel 8 study or listen to the audio teaching.