I
Samuel 8 -Israel demands a King
Samuel
made his own sons judges to succeed him, although they were unworthy and
incompetent for the job. I was a mistake. Samuel was a great judge, a good
prophet, and a great man of God, but he was a failure as a father just as Eli
had been.
The
people of Israel ask for a king. They are influenced by the surrounding
nations. The fact that Samuel had made his sons judges gives these people an
excuse to ask for a king. This was sad news for Samuel, but God comforts him
with the assurance that Israel’s rejection is not of him but of God Himself.
Samuel
warns Israel what it will be like to have a king. He tells them that a king
will reign over them, take their sons for soldiers, their daughters for cooks
and maidservants, and part of their fields, vineyards, olive yards, and animals
for himself. He warned them that eventually they will cry out in their distress
and in that day the Lord will not hear them.
“And
He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15.
God granted Israel their desire for a king, but it was not to their advantage,
God’s guidance of the nation was indirectly through the prophet. He did not
speak directly to the king. Samuel continued to convey God’s word to the king.
Much
of what Samuel worked for and prayed for turned out differently from what he
expected, and yet he remained faithful to the Lord to the end. Leaders who are
faithful to God may not always appear to be successful to men.
Please
read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.
If
you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.
J.
Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference
Commentary.
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