Israel Rejects God as King

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. I Samuel 8:4-9

Steps: 1, 2, 3

Israel is tired of being different. They do not want judges to rule over them, they want kings, like all of the other nations had. They want a powerful person to rule over them so that they do not have to exercise personal responsibility. They chose to reject God as their king, because they can’t see Him and they can’t control Him, and He does things in ways that they do not approve of. God focuses on spiritual responsibility and they want physical power with no responsibility. God chooses to allow them to have their way and will choose a king that fits their hearts request.

Prayer for Today: God, please help us even though You already know what kind of chaos is in our hearts and minds. Grant us deliverance from our lusts and desires. Protect us from ourselves and help us in ways that will help us to change into Your likeness.