1 Samuel 8

 3 repeated phrases:

(1) "But his sons did not follow his ways v.3,5"

Samuel's sons sadly did not follow his father and gave the elders of Israel an excuse to ask for the king.
When Eli's sons were wicked, they did not ask for the king. They now asked for the king, not just a replacement for Samuel. They were motivated by another reason, which is, to follow the other nations.

8:5 They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons don’t follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.”

(2) God said it plainly, "it is me that they have rejected as their king v.7" and "they have rejected me and have served other gods v.8."

Asking for a king is a reflection of 2 things: God was their king and now they asked for a human king and that means they rejected God; when they asked for replacement with a human king that means they wanted to serve other gods.

What does kingship mean in the Law?
(ZIBBC) In Israel, the emphasis falls on God himself as the Great King, with the human king to serve not as a demigod, but as vice-regent (vassal) to the Great King (cf. comments on 2:10). The “law of the king” (Deut. 17:14–20) makes it clear that the king in Israel is to be subservient to the divine law and must not “consider himself better than his brothers” (v. 20). Though 1 Samuel 8:7 does not elaborate, something in the elders’ demand for a king “such as all the other nations have” represents a rejection of the supreme kingship of Yahweh, and this is a serious sin indeed (cf. 10:19; 12:17, 19, 25)

Israel was tired to be the number #2 or the "vice-regent." They wanted to be number #1 even with the possible danger of losing God's protection.

8:18 In that day you will cry out because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD won’t answer you in that day.

They thought they could do a better job. They dreamed for the autonomous and thought it would all be work out.

8:20 We will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us and lead us and fight our battles.

Reflections:
For Israel, they have forgotten all the protections and rulership that God had given them before. They were ungrateful. How about us?

Second, they thought having a king like other nations would be the best way to rule their country? Do we have this kind of false hope today? We think humans can take control of everything, including choice of life and death, choice of genders and "life-styles." We reject God's standard and make ourselves the "king," and everything will be just fine. But, it is not.

Personally, are we satisfied with being number #2? Do we realize the implication when we want to be #1? That means, we do not want to worship God anymore v.7-8.

As a leader, how shall we lead like a number #2? That means we honor God as our #1 leader and follow His Words when we lead.

(3) "The LORD said to Samuel, 'Do as they say...v.9, 22"

God knew very well about humans. Before Samuel told Israel all the negative implications of requesting for kinds God already knew that the answer from Israel would not change. "Do as they say" means God abandoned man or what Paul said, "God gave them over" Rom 1: 24, 26, 28.

2024

v.1-9

Bright spots

1. Samuel's sons did not follow his ways v.3, 5

2. What the elders asked for is not a replacement but another kind of leaders. A king like the other nations have. Not the king that God had told them in Deut. Therefore, God said, "they have rejected (me) as their king." v.7 And that was along their line of rejecting God as their God and served other gods v.8. 

What does kingship mean in the Law?
(ZIBBC) In Israel, the emphasis falls on God himself as the Great King, with the human king to serve not as a demigod, but as vice-regent (vassal) to the Great King (cf. comments on 2:10). The “law of the king” (Deut. 17:14–20) makes it clear that the king in Israel is to be subservient to the divine law and must not “consider himself better than his brothers” (v. 20). Though 1 Samuel 8:7 does not elaborate, something in the elders’ demand for a king “such as all the other nations have” represents a rejection of the supreme kingship of Yahweh, and this is a serious sin indeed (cf. 10:19; 12:17, 19, 25)

The form of the leadership they wanted reflected which God did they worshiped. 

Reflection

I just read the news about what are the accurate predictions of the presidential election? Basically the Dow Jones and Misery Index (reflection of inflation). "別看民調了！華爾街分析師：要預測美國大選 美股更準" In other words, people in America worshipped money. How about myself? Do I want to have leaders who follow God and lead me according to the will of God? How about a leader who is poor or not book-smart, but just love the Lord. Will I like to have them as my leaders? May God help me to worship Him alone.

3. God's reaction was to let them to have what they wanted. Even when the people gave up God, God still cared for them. He asked Samuel to warn them and make them aware of the harms of the kings. In v.18, Samuel told them that when they cried out bc of their king God would not answer them. People still refused. I think God was merciful to sinners. He did not tried once, but He told you the consequent and tried again. (Although, the result was disappointed v.19). And that was not the end, at the end, Samuel was going to select Saul for them.

Reflection

Do I give people 2nd chance? I tried to help a sister to understand Scriptures, but like my previous experience with her. No good comes out. Am I done with her? Far from it, according to what God has done to Israel. 

v.10-18

Bright spots

1. 2 repeated themes:

A. The king will take your sons, your daughters, your best fields, your servants, your best stocks, and finally yourself. If you are asking for a king, are you ready to sacrifice this much? If what you look for a leader is for economic reasons, but now you are giving up more. Is this a wise choice?

B. Those the king took are for his armies, or administration, for his servants, administrators, and finally his own use. In v.17, "He will demand a tenth of your flocks..." Perhaps, if you choose God or a human king, both requires you to make sacrifices as (A), but if you choose a human king, these things you gave up would be in the dispose of this man. Do you trust Him or God?

2. God is very fair in pointing this out to Israel. He did not try to demonize the king or portrait an extraordinary evil king. The requirement listed here perhaps is what an over the average king might ask for. He wanted Israel to make a decision, but not manipulating them.

3. v.18, people needed to be responsible for our choices. God did not manipulate you, but if you chose to not trusting God, He would not answer you.

Reflection

In what areas, I do not trust God? I did not ask God whether I should take the Covid vaccines, but I just listened to what other people said.  I made that person my god. 

v.19-9:14

Bright spots

1. Note the flow of the voice in v.19-22. The people did not listen to Samuel's voice and insisted to have a king like other nations v.19. Samuel speak everything the people said to the ear of the LORD v.21. Then the LORD told Samuel to listen to their voice v.22. 

Rejecting God is seen in rejecting the voice of His servant. As the servant of God, there is no need to be frustrated. Just bring their voices to the LORD.

Reflection

I was worried and did not have peace about the condition of one of the 4 girls when I noticed some changes for her. There is no need to be like that. Just bring her condition to the LORD and do what the LORD told me to do. 

2. The qualities of king God found for them: from a prominent person' family 9:1, handsome x2 v.2, tall above average v.2, responsible to the task v.4, care for his father v.5, and humbly listen to the advice by his servant v.6-10. 

God did not find a inferior person to be their king even Israelites rejected Him. He is merciful and kind even when we do not treat Him the same way.

3. God made Saul meeting with Samuel in His sovereignty. Through Saul's servants, they went to find Samuel v.6, 10. Through the girls who come out to draw water they were encouraged to find Samuel in the right time and space v.13. Lastly, God told Samuel and he purposely came out in their direction to meet them v.14. 

God showed Himself to Saul Who He is before they met. He was interested to develop relationship with Saul even though the people were not interested to pursue a king under God's rulership. 

Reflection

Compare to God, I always stayed away from people who rejected me or what I said. I prayed that I will be like Him. 

Audrey