Give Us a King!

I. Text: 1 Samuel 8

II. 1 Samuel 8:1-6
   A. vv. 1-3: Samuel's sons
      1. When Samuel gets old, he made his sons judges over Israel
      2. Samuel's sons corrupt, as were the sons of Eli 
         (1 Samuel 2-3)
   B. vv. 4-6: Israel no longer can tolerate it
      1. Judges had existed for about 350 years or so
      2. Difficult period of time for Israel-- many times under 
         oppression
      3. Most recently, Philistines defeat Israel account of God's 
         anger with the house of Eli (1 Samuel 4-5)
      4. Samuel's children coming out like Eli's children boils 
         them over
      5. They desire a king
   C. Note the motivation of the people
      1. They want a king like the other nations have (v. 5)
      2. God has never commanded any such thing, but yet that is 
         what they want
 
III. 1 Samuel 8:7-22
   A. vv. 7-8: God speaks to Samuel
      1. Samuel is told not to take it personally, for indeed they 
         have rejected God
      2. They, as their fathers in the wilderness before them, do 
         not trust Him
      3. They do not trust that God will raise up a righteous 
         judge for them, and they would rather be like the other 
         nations than to have God rule over them
   B. vv. 10-18: Consequences of Kings
      1. To forewarn the people, God tells the people exactly 
         what will happen if they choose to have a king
      2. He describes in great detail everything that the king 
         will demand and how much they will have to pay to keep 
         him-- enslavement!
      3. He establishes how they will cry out to God, but God 
         would not hear, because they have chosen this lot
   C. vv. 19-22: Israel's response
      1. Israel "refuses to obey Samuel" (v. 19)
      2. Despite all the sufferings, they would rather be like 
         everyone else
      3. God gives them their king

IV. Lessons from Israel
   A. Israel tried to improve on God's plan
      1. Notice that it is God who would raise up judges for the 
         people in the books of Judges and early in 1 Samuel
      2. God's plan was to rule the people with the intermediary 
         of the judge
      3. Israel, however, sees that all the nations have kings 
         and armies and seem to be more successful
      4. Therefore, they want to be like the nations
      5. Today many seek to improve on God's plan, thinking His 
         ways ineffective and they seek to emulate what they see 
         around them in the world that seems to be successful
   B. Israel wants their way no matter what
      1. Despite any respect they have for Samuel, despite all 
         the protestations, they stick to their own way
      2. What Isaiah says of them is true: a rebellious people 
         (Isaiah 65:2)
      3. When they made up their minds, no persuasion would work
      4. How many people today, despite protestations from God's 
         word, still seek their own way?
      5. How many times will people never be able to be persuaded, 
         like Agrippa (Acts 26:28)?
   C. Even when the consequences are outlined, Israel chooses its 
      own way
      1. The things God lists off are unpleasant to say the least
      2. Heavy taxes, oppression, manumission, enslavement...
      3. The people hear all this and still want a king!
      4. How many times will people be told of the consequences of 
         unbelief and rebellion and still go their own way?
      5. People hear about the second death and the danger of 
         hellfire (Romans 6:23, 2 
          Thessalonians 1:6-9), and still choose their own way
      6. It is sad, but they have been warned!

V. Epilogue: What Happened to Israel
   A. The rest of the story of Israel testifies to the poor 
      decision Israel made on that day
      1. While David was a great king for Israel, and Israel did 
         gain the material benefits that they sought for a time, 
         the kings led to their destruction
      2. 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles testify how the kings of 
         Israel and Judah led the people astray into idolatry, 
         leading to the exile of all Israel by 586 BCE
   B. Romans 15:3: We understand this is written so that we can 
      have hope
   C. What was the result of Israel seeking after the nations 
      in their rebelliousness?
      1. Temporary earthly "benefits"
      2. High taxation, manumission, enslavement
      3. Departure into idolatry, exile, loss of the land of 
         Israel
   D. The lesson is clear
      1. Forsaking God's way, thinking the way of everyone 
         around you is better, will eventually get you into 
         deep trouble
      2. Rebellion will only lead to punishment
      3. Trust in God's way-- it's always better, it will work, 
         despite what we think
      4. We have no right to try to improve on God's plans!
   E. Invitation