Hymn: When we walk with the Lord.
Text: 1 Samuel 8:1-22
Introduction:
Samuel was given as a result of God’s answer to his Mother’s (Hannah) fervent prayer for a child. His mother gave him to God for the rest of his life. God shaped him from the start and called him to play different roles in Israel.
After the death of Eli and his sons, Samuel became the judge in Israel but when he became old, his children could not measure up as judges. This made the people to demand for a King to rule over them. The request did not go well with Samuel but he had to hearken unto the voice of the people as instructed by the Lord. Thus Samuel became the first kingmaker in Israel.
Lesson Objectives:
- To know what made the Israelites ask Samuel for a King
- To discuss the sins of Samuels sons
- To examine Samuels reaction to the demand of the elders and Gods response
- To examine the warnings from Samuel to the people about the King they were asking for
- To know how Sauel discharged his assignment of anointing Saul as the first King of Israel.
Question 1.) What made the elders of Israel to ask Samuel to make a King for them?
1 Samuel 8:1-5
When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel in his place. But they turned out to be corrupt and so could not be trusted to be fair in their judgement. It was obvious that Samuels sons were not better in this sense than Elis sons.
Israel wanted a King for a number of reasons which include the followings:
- Samuels sons were not credible to lead Israel
- The twelve tribes that made up Israel have always had problems working together as each tribe had its own leader and territory and it was hoped that a King would unite them into one nation and strong army.
- The people wanted to be like the other nations around them, which was against God’s plan for them at this time.
- They thought that a King would bring about a change in the nation.
Question 2.) What was Samuels reaction to the demand of the elders and Gods response to this development?
1 Samuel 8:6-9
This request by the elders displeased Samuel. He could not give them any answer immediately as he had to take some time to consider their proposal and seek the face of God on the issue. He prayed to the Lord for direction on what to do.
In response, “The Lord said unto Samuel hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them” verse 7. Israel had hitherto been under a Theocratic rule, which is a Divine government as their Judges had their call and commission from God.
Also, God instructed Samuel to let them know what the king was going to do to them on the long run. They were going to be beaten with their own rod and suffer many things in the hands of the King.
Thus it can be said that although God told Samuel to grant their request, He also warned them ahead of time of the consequences of their choice.
Question 3.A.) What was Samuels warning to the people about the King they were asking for?
1 Samuel 8:10-17
Samuel faithfully delivered the message he got from God about a king to them. He told them that God considered their action as rejecting Him (God) and compared it with their serving other gods. He made them understand what it would cost them and how the king was going to deal with them.
He made them aware that a king would have a multitude of attendants that he would take from among their sons to serve him in various ways. The king will keep a great table and a standing army for guards and wars. The king would be enriched out of their inheritance and take the tenth of their fruits and their cattle. Ultimately, Samuel made them understand that they were not going to have things under a king. He warned them that they would regret their decision.
Question 3.B.) How did people react to Samuels warning?
1 Samuel 8:19-22
Inspite of Samuels warning, the people were determined to have a king, “We will have a king over us”. The implication of this was that whatever God or Samuel felt or said about their demand was as far as they were concerned very irrelevant or immaterial, they wanted a king whatever the cost.
They made up their mind to bear the inconveniences of their having a king.
Question 4.) How did Samuel discharge his assignment of anointing Saul as the first King of Israel?
1 Samuel 9:22-27, 10:1
Samuel took Saul home where he treated him and his servant not as commoners but as nobles, to prepare him for what was to come. He honored him by setting him in the best place and presented him with the best meal. Samuel communed with Saul, upon the top of his house.
The following day Samuel privately anointed Saul and kissed him. This was done by divine appointment. He assured Saul that it was God’s act to make him king. Samuel anointed Saul in obedience to the instruction of the Lord. Today we are expected to seek the face of the Lord in all situations and be obedient.
Daily Living Application:
It is sad that Samuel who served the Lord and the people so diligently could not have his children succeed him. As parents, we should do all we can while trusting God to help us bring our children up in the way of the Lord so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.
Parenthood is a great responsibility and as such, nothing should take greater priority than molding and sharpening the lives of our children.
We should also learn to wait on the Lord to lead us in all our decisions as doing things our own way may lead to a sad end.
Memory verse:
1 Samuel 8:21
“And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in all the ears of the LORD”.