Friday 15 January 2010
- Bible Book:
- 1 Samuel
"We are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles." (v,19, 20)
Background
Chapters 4 to 6 of 1 Samuel are aboutinternational fighting and politics, and chapter 7 tells us aboutSamuel, by now a great leader, ruling over Israel.
Today, we read about the people asking for a king of their own -just like other nations have kings. It seems to start as criticismof Samuel, and especially the behaviour of his own sons. Not evenSamuel is immune from family problems, which have been a theme inthese early chapters.
The elders of Israel think that a king will help to overcome bothinternal problems in the nation, as well as being a strong defenceagainst the ever-present Philistine threat.
Now it is Samuel's turn to feel rejection, and he doesn't take iteasily. But God persuades him to let the people have their wish.With plenty of warning from Samuel, the people get what they want.God does not overrule human decisions, but allows the story todevelop.
We have witnessed a major change for God's people - it is the startof kingship for Israel.
To Ponder
In what ways do you think God lets us have ourown way today? How does that make you feel?
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute powercorrupts absolutely" (John Acton, an English historian who livedfrom 1834-1902). Why do you think power tends to lead powerfulpeople to behave badly?
How should we watch over leaders in our owncommunities?