Israel Wants a King

King in the Bible

Christianity Oasis provided this Israel Wants a King Bible study on the Israel King in the Bible Story. We'll be looking into that and all aspects of the Bible seeking truth and understanding.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The First Book of Samuel
Chapter 8


Why Israel Wants a King

First Anointed Israel King in the Bible

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our Israel Wants a King Bible study taking a look into the Israel King in the Bible Story and how the very interesting Israel Wants a King Bible message affects your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

Israel Wants a King Prophecy
Israel King in the Bible Story

It is always nice to have you back with us at Daily Bread! Well, we've been getting to know Samuel in our recent stories, and it's easy to see that he was a man of integrity and well favored by the Lord.

As Samuel grew old, and because of his age, one can imagine it wasn't so easy to travel around Israel judging matters among the people. I don't want you to forget that being a judge over Israel, was just exactly what the title implies.

Not only did the judge rule the people, but settled matters whenever there were disputes, not much different from a court of law in modern times, with a judge presiding. People would bring their "case" to the judge, and the judge would decide, based upon the Law of the Lord and divine inspiration, what was the best solution for the dispute.

Israel Wants a King Concern
Israel King in the Bible Saga

So ... When Samuel became elderly, he made his sons, Joel and Abiah, judges over Israel in Beersheba. But his sons didn't follow the righteous ways of Samuel. They had a fondness for money and accepted bribes, so their judgment wasn't fair among the people.

The elders understandably didn't like this one bit, so they paid Samuel a visit in Ramah and said to him, Look, you're getting old, and your sons aren't like you. So make us a king to judge us, like all the other nations have.

Now ... This thing irritated Samuel, so he prayed to the Lord about it, and the Lord told Samuel, The people aren't rejecting you, they've rejected Me, they don't want Me to rule them.

Just like they've done since they day I brought them up out of Egypt, until this very day ... Just as they have forsaken Me, and served other gods, they do the same also to you.

Israel Wants a King Warning
Israel King in the Bible Message

Does this remind you of what Jesus said, too?

John 15:18

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Let me take you back to the book of Deuteronomy for just a second, and let's remember together, that the Lord in fact, (through Moses) predicted that this would happen.

Deuteronomy 17:14

When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me ...

Israel Wants a King Danger
Israel King in the Bible Explanation

So the Lord told Samuel to oblige the people of Israel and listen to their request, but still, to warn them of the seriousness of their decision and to tell them how the king will reign over them.

And Samuel did ... Speaking the Word of the Lord to the people of Israel that asked for a king, Samuel said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons and make them work for him, to drive his chariots and be his horsemen, and some will run in front of his chariots and they will make his weaponry and he will make them captains of his army.

He will make them plant his crops and harvest them. And your daughters will be his bakers and cooks and candy makers. He will take your fields and vineyards and olive yards, even the best of them, and one tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give them to his servants and his officers. He will take your servants, and make them work for him. He will take one tenth of your sheep, and you will be his servants.

Israel Wants a King Truth
Israel King in the Bible Like Others

Samuel continued, And you will cry out when this happens, because of your king which you will choose, and the Lord will not hear you in that day. But the people refused to listen to Samuel.

They insisted to have a king and be like all the other nations, to judge them and go and fight their battles. Samuel listened to all the things that the people had to say, and repeated them to the Lord, and the Lord said, Listen to them and make them a king. Samuel then sent the men of Israel back to their homes.

If you've ever read the books of Samuel, and the books of Kings, you know that there were a few righteous kings that didn't treat the children of Israel in the manner that Samuel described, and a precious few that were very honorable, so we know from this, that God, through Samuel, was giving His people a warning of how kings in general would operate; Okay, so you want a king? This is what you're in for.

Israel Wants a King Summary
Israel King in the Bible Conclusion

It looks like we're in for some interesting stories ahead, doesn't it?! I'll be here waiting to share the next one with you, just as soon as you can make it back ... Right here at Daily Bread. See you soon!