The people who refuse to listen

Samuel explained to the people the rights that a king would have, but the people refused to listen to his warning. Instead, they replied, “No, but there shall be a king over us.” (1) The people wanted a king to be like all the other nations. In other words, they desired the status and political system that other nations had. (2) They also said, “that our king may judge us.” This marks a transition from a system where leaders within each tribe led their tribe to a system where a single king ruled the nation. (3) They hoped for a king who would lead them in battle. (4) Samuel listened to the people and brought their words before the Lord. The Lord already knew the hearts of the people even before hearing it. Here, it shows Samuel seeking the Lord’s guidance.

The Lord’s answer

The Lord instructed Samuel, “Listen to their voice and appoint a king for them.” This is what is referred to as “permissive will.” It means that due to the stubbornness of the people, the Lord made a concession. Samuel informed the people that their request had been granted by the Lord and sent them back to their towns. Now, what was the sin of the people of Israel? (1) They rejected God and relied on a human king. (2) Another sin was seeking a king, disregarding God’s timing. God knew that a time would come when Israel would need a king and already had prepared a person, who is David. However, David was still too young at that time. Therefore, Saul was chosen as king. Those who cannot wait for God’s timing inevitably dig their own graves. The ultimate response from God is written in Hosea 13:9-11, “It is to your own destruction, Israel, that you are against Me, against your help. Where then is your king, that he might save you in all your cities; and your judges, to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.” These words were fulfilled during the Babylonian captivity. Let’s learn from the bad example of the people of Israel and affirm the blessings of trusting in God.