Israel's Demand for a King
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/14/2014 PM
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Text:
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I Samuel 8:6-22
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Psalters: |
381, 71, 427, 427 |
- The demand.
- Note that “there was no king in Israel; and every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).
- Any form of government depends on hearts which fear Jehovah, recognizing God’s authority.
- The theocracy failed, not because an inherent weakness in the theocracy, but because of the wickedness of the people.
- It seems that the elders of Israel bring a request for a king to Samuel with seemingly justifiable reasons.
- One, Samuel was getting older (having served for 20 years) without an obvious, capable successor.
- Two, the threat of an attack from Ammon (I Sam. 12:12).
- Three, for Israel to have a king is not in itself wrong (Deut. 17:14-20).
- But the underlying cause for Israel’s request was spiritual.
- It is not a king that is wrong but the motive for wanting a king.
- First, they wanted to be “like all the nations” (5).
- Second, they ask for a king as a solution instead of crying to Jehovah for deliverance (cf. Ps. 118:8,9).
- Samuel is directed to listen to them, but to testify against them (9) which he does (11-18).
- A king, even a good king, “will take” (4 times).
- But Israel does not let wisdom move them from their folly (19).
- Lessons:
- Instead of looking to God for help, we are more interested in prescribing what form God’s help must take.
- Also, we do not like to be different for God’s sake, but want to fit in with the world (“like the nations,” 19b,20a).