Give Us A King: Be Careful What You Ask For
35th in a series on how men and women in the Bible
deal with waiting, disappointment and unemployment
Give Us A King: Be Careful What You Ask For
Observations of 1 Samuel 8:1-10:1
Most often we pray foolish and selfish prayers. We don’t know any better. We think we know what we want and what we need. Especially when we see others with the ‘ideal’ job, house, car, spouse, children, etc. Envy and jealousy have no bounds. It’s a good thing that we have a perfect, good and sovereign God who knows better than we do what is good for us.
The nation of Israel at the time of Samuel was a Theocracy. Simply put, God was their king and He administered justice and rule through His prophets. But the system was broken. Eli’s sons had abused the people through the exploitation of the priesthood. They had a brief respite with Samuel for several years, but then even his sons misbehaved so much that it caused the people to wonder what it would be like to have consistent human leadership like everyone else.
“Give us a king”. In this request they are not seeking Samuel’s guidance, God’s wisdom or accepting any of the blame for their misbehavior. One commentator observes, they demanded not, “Give us a king that is wise and good, and will judge better than thy sons do,” but, “Give us a king,” any body that will but make a figure.” How many mistakes are made through impulsiveness or from lack of advice and wisdom? Israel had lost the vision that they were God’s chosen people for the redemption of the world. Their history of God’s intervention and miraculous activity was easily forgotten.
The pattern of Israel was to follow God when it was clear that they would be defeated or in a state of destitution without His help, then they would cry out to Him. But when things were going well or they felt confident in their own strength, they relied on human ingenuity and wisdom. Are we any different? God tells Samuel, “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” Before we judge them too harshly we should closely examine how we make decisions and what considerations we determine to be important.
Despite Samuel’s warnings about how a king will treat them, they declare, “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” Conformity to world standards brings a temporary peace and satisfaction because we hear the applause of the majority, but a hundred years later King Solomon wrote this, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
God honors the people’s request but uses the opportunity to discipline them as well. He gives them what they want. A king. And not just any king but someone who really looks….kingly…. “as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.” Isn’t this what they think will satisfy? As readers of history we should be skeptical about this choice and if we jump forward a few chapters we can see what matters to people and what matters to God are often two different things: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
We cry out for God to answer our prayers. It’s ironic that the only time I hear that God really did answer our prayers is when we get what we want. Things that seem to be good: a job, deliverance from cancer, a baby, money, etc. But what if God delays? What if getting what we want is not good for us? What if when we pray, we pray for God’s will rather than for our own selfish desires? What if being out of a job is better for us right now than being gainfully employed? Is it possible that in God’s wisdom, He has bigger plans for you and me than benefits and a paycheck?
Fortunately, God is not a cosmic gum ball machine into which we put our penny(quarter) and out comes exactly what we want. He is a good and gracious God who gives us what we need and something we often don’t consider…what will bring Him the most glory. So, let’s not be afraid to pray our pitiful and foolish prayers, but be ready for the best answer, “one that you would not believe even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5)
Thoughts to consider:
- Can you identify with Eli and Samuel who did their best to raise their children only to have them rebel against your authority and values?
- Likewise, have you done your best in your job only to suffer the consequences of someone else’s error or sin?
- Have you experienced the benefits of suffering and the consequences of honor and wealth? “Many that have done well in a state of meanness and subjection have been spoiled by preferment and power. Honours change men’s minds, and too often for the worse.”
- Like the people in Samuel’s day, have you ever jumped ahead of the good that God wants to do in order to get what you think you want?
- Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a circumstance or a person from which you would have never expected good?
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
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