Israel’s pride and disobedience to God had caused many trials for the nation during the time of the judges. God’s judgment would often be administered when He would allow an enemy nation to defeat them and many lives would be lost. The Philistine army had defeated Israel twice, which resulted in massive loss of life as well as the ark of the covenant being secured by their enemies (1 Samuel 4:1-22). Taking possession of the ark of the covenant brought the wrath of God upon the Philistines until they finally returned it to Israel, who rejoiced that the ark was once again in their possession (1 Samuel 5:1-7:1). The ark of the covenant was taken to the city of Kirjath Jearim, where it was then taken to the house of Abinadab and Eleazar was consecrated priest over the ark (1 Samuel 7:1). After the ark had remained in Kirjath Jearim for 20 years (7:2), Samuel challenged Israel to return to the Lord and stop worshiping false gods (7:3a). If Israel would worship and obey God only, Samuel promised that the Lord would deliver them from the oppression of the Philistines (7:3b). Israel heeded the voice of Samuel and repented of their sin before God (7:4-6), but the Philistines gathered themselves against Israel to battle, which sent fear throughout the nation (7:7-8). The children of Israel cried out to Samuel and he, in turn, cried to the Lord for help and victory against the Philistines (7:9). God heard the prayer of Samuel and as the Philistines gathered against Israel, the Lord “thundered with a loud thunder” and their enemies were defeated that day (7:10-11). In order to commemorate God’s help in defeating the Philistines, Samuel set up a stone between Mizpah and Shen and called it Ebenezer, which means stone of help (7:12). This stone would become a visible reminder that God is the Helper of Israel. God continued to bless the nation of Israel, especially during the time of Samuel who judged Israel all the days of his life (7:13-17).
When Samuel became old, his sons judged Israel but they were consumed with riches and took bribes (8:1-3), which was not permissible for the judges (see Deuteronomy 16:19). The actions of Samuel’s sons caused the elders of Israel to ask Samuel to give them a king to rule over them like other nations (8:4-5); however, the request of the elders displeased Samuel so he prayed to the Lord concerning the circumstance (8:6). The Lord responded to Samuel saying, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (8:7). Throughout Israel’s history they had often forsaken God and chased after other gods and their request for a king was ultimately a rejection of Him as the One who would rule over them (8:8). God told Samuel to grant them their request for a king but to also warn them concerning the behavior of a human king (8:9). Samuel communicated to Israel that their future king would draft their sons and daughters to work for him (8:11-13), tax their fields and flocks (8:14-15, 17a), and take their best servants and animals (8:16). Even though Israel was forewarned about the dangers of taking a king for themselves, they refused to heed Samuel’s warning and begged him to give them a king to rule over them so that they could be like other nations whose kings judged them and fought on their behalf (8:19-20). Samuel reported to the Lord the response of Israel, so God told Samuel to anoint a king for them (8:21-22). Israel’s desire for a human king meant that they were not satisfied with God ruling over them and fighting on their behalf. Rather than allowing an infallible, divine King to rule over them, they chose a fallible, human king who would not bring them the freedom they were seeking.
Dear God, may I choose You to rule and reign over my life for only You can provide the freedom I desire.
