A King Like the Nations
June 1st, 2011
1 Samuel 8: 1-22
- Samuel is being mocked by the Israelites
- He has served them well all his life but he didn’t raise his sons very well
- Samuel still has many years left to serve when this is asked
- Samuel was hurt by this request. We often feel hurt but instead of pretending all is well or letting everyone know how he felt, Samuel took this to God
- How do we handle hurt? It is wise to assess our feelings and take them to God
- vs 7: Samuel receives healing from God
- When we feel hurt by rejection we might be experiencing a little of how God feels when we reject Him
- If we get close enough to God people will react to us in a similar way they react to God
- Ephesians 4:31-32 – we should live not holding grudges
- It is ambigious whether God wanted to give the Israelites a king.
- In this passage He seems against a king but in Deutronomy 17:14-15 God is pleased about a king
- The sin in this passage is how and why they’ve asked for a king
- The Israelites wanted a king because they are scared of their enemies
- If they remembered their Ebenezer they wouldn’t have asked for a king as they would remember what God did for them – the Israelites were not trusting God
- Psalm 46:1 – God helps us
- Samuel warns the Israelites of the danger of their request but they refuse to listen to him – they have forgotten that God is on their side
- God wants them to trust Him
- If we stay faithful to God we have no idea how much He will do for us
- Stay close to God and He will bless you