Foundations Week 15, Day 2

Scripture Read:  I Samuel 3 & 8
Title: Samuel's Call & Israel's Demand for a King.
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "But the people refused to obey 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, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.''" I Samuel 8:19, 20

(E) Explain: Samuel was a prophet who served as a judge over Israel for many years.  In his old age his sons began to judge as well and they were corrupt.  The people of Israel decided the wanted a king to rule over them.  Up until this point God has been their ruler and the judges had been appointed by God.  This demand for a king upset Samuel and it upset the LORD, but this did not change anything.  God tells Samuel that He will give them a king and he will not be good for them, but the people did not care.  They wanted a king.  They demanded a king.  They wanted to be like everyone else around them.  They wanted a man to do the job of God and this displeased Samuel and more importantly it displeased the LORD.

(A) Application:  Why did Israel want a king?  We see they wanted a king because they wanted to be like all the nations.  God had called Israel to be distinct and unique.  God called Israel to be separate from the world and to be a blessing to the nations.  Israel wanted to be like everyone else.  God and Samuel took this as a rejection of God.  God had taken care of them up to this point, but now they decided they wanted their rule and protection to be under the commission of a king.  God responds by giving them a king.  As we will see soon, God gives the nation the ruler they want and demand.  However, God says that once he is appointed king he will not hear their cry because of the actions of their king.  They have chosen their leader and He will give them the leader they want. When we demand from God certain things that go against His plan and purpose, He gives us just what we want.  He allows us to have what we want, even if it is not good for us.  As a result He allows things to go south, and He will gently and lovingly fix the messes we make, but not without incident and accountability for our disobedience and hard-heartedness.   

(R) Respond: Who is the king of your life?  Is it man or is it God?  I choose God.  I will serve Him and him alone.  No person can ever take the throne of my heart.  LORD, I reserve the throne of my heart for you and you alone.