Indeed, it stood as a symbol of judgment against the nation, and it was repeatedly destroyed. Verses 10-18 record what God told Samuel to communicate to Israel that they would experience with their new king. (See Deuteronomy 12:31.) Israel Asks for a King. The King the People Wanted. It existed long before (Judges 8:22; Judges 9:9). God does not prevent us from sinning, and He does not force us to live righteously. 1. [] 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba() 3 But his sons did not follow his waysThey turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.. 4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. But the time would come when Israel would be so persistent in their demand for a king that God would let them have their will. 1 Samuel 8:9-18 In I Samuel 8:9-18, God strongly forewarns Israel about the painful future they were creating for themselves by desiring a king to rule over them. Additionally, not only did God use Israel’s might to punish evil nations like these, He used the Babylonian, Assyrian, and Egyptian kings to punish Israel. Another reason it was wrong to ask for a king is that the Israelites did so in order to be like “all the other nations.” God had created Israel as a unique people. In 1 Samuel 8, Israel wants to install a king to make them like other nations. Even an attempt to rebuild it in 363 and it is reported that fire erupted from the earth beneath the site killing those doing the work. So God gave them their hearts’ desire in King Saul. In 9:1–10:16, the author relates the way God privately revealed to Saul that he was to become Israel’s king. He was their leader. God had previously said in Deuteronomy 17 that the time would come when Israel would have a king, so their wanting a king is not the issue. Someday they would be sorry, but they would have to learn that the hard way. For now, though, God would not just turn his people over to another human being, even if he were a king. Samuel was their judge, and that was the system of rule at the time. Consequently, God allowed Israel to have their own king. And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world" (Tennyson) Introductory. 8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. - The desire of Israel for a king, as expressed by their elders to Samuel,was a turning point in their history. When the Israelites wanted a king like other nations had, they were rejecting their unique, set-apart position as God’s people. Despite God’s warnings, they were adamant — enough with this judge stuff; give us a king! King: a ruler who answers to no one Lesson Outline Lesson Text Israel wanted a king. Subsequent monarchy in Israel, especially that of the house of David, was divinely intended to point to the incarnation when Israel’s God became flesh, and was born into the royal line of King David, thus reasserting the LORD’s rights as not only the Lord of Israel, but also as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The people of Israel admired and respected Samuel, but he was getting old; and they did not want to be governed by his sons, who had a terrible reputation. This desire was not new. They were turning against God himself instead of Samuel. As God permitted Israel to have a king, he allowed the temple to be built, but it was never his will. When people want to sin or lose faith in God, He does not take away their free will, but they will have to live with the consequences. 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