Israel's Demand for a King

The demand.
1. 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).
  1. Any form of government depends on hearts which fear Jehovah, recognizing God’s authority.
  2. The theocracy failed, not because an inherent weakness in the theocracy, but because of the wickedness of the people.
2. It seems that the elders of Israel bring a request for a king to Samuel with seemingly justifiable reasons.
  1. One, Samuel was getting older (having served for 20 years) without an obvious, capable successor.
  2. Two, the threat of an attack from Ammon (I Sam. 12:12).
  3. 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.
1. It is not a king that is wrong but the motive for wanting a king.
  1. First, they wanted to be “like all the nations” (5).
  2. Second, they ask for a king as a solution instead of crying to Jehovah for deliverance (cf. Ps. 118:8,9).
2. Samuel is directed to listen to them, but to testify against them (9) which he does (11-18).
  1. A king, even a good king, “will take” (4 times).
  2. But Israel does not let wisdom move them from their folly (19).
Lessons:
1. Instead of looking to God for help, we are more interested in prescribing what form God’s help must take.
2. 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).