Key Verses: 1 Samuel 8:19-22

Themes: God’s character/nature, David’s character vs. Saul’s character, inquiring of/crying out to God

At the beginning of the School of Biblical Studies I completed with Youth With a Mission, there were a number of books that intimidated me with their size, complexity, and tone. For example, I was not looking forward to studying the six big books that follow Ruth—1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles. When I was younger, I attempted to read through the Old Testament, and I remember having come to 1 & 2 Kings and thinking, “These chapters are huge and boring!” Ever since then, my mind blended those six books together into one big chunk of irrelevant history that offered little benefit from reading. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

To my surprise, 1 & 2 Samuel became my two favorite books in the Old Testament! The Kings and Chronicles are wonderful and challenging books too, and I discovered that all six books are very relevant and applicable to everyday life. Rather than skipping to Ezra, I encourage you to read them through with anticipation, asking God to speak mightily to your heart and mind. (And then expect Him to!)

Most of 1 Samuel was very likely written by Samuel the prophet, but since his death is recorded in chapter 25, it is likely that the rest of the book and 2 Samuel were written by the prophets Nathan and Gad. The books were written to record a very important time in Israel’s history, a time that future generations of Israelites were to take note of and learn many valuable lessons from. The central event is when the Israelites transition from a theocracy (God as king) to a monarchy (man as king).

The Lord had anointed the godly man Samuel to be judge over the Israelites. Samuel was a “trustworthy prophet” and “the LORD was with him” (1 Sam. 3:19,20). He challenged the Israelites to turn to God with all of their hearts (7:3), called upon God for help in battle (7:9), and judged with justice (7:17). Nevertheless, the Israelites have their hearts set on being like other nations, and finally they demand Samuel to appoint a king over Israel. In doing so, the Israelites not only reject Samuel, but much worse, they reject their merciful and faithful God.

Quite aware of the dangers of letting a man govern Israel rather than God, Samuel tries to warn the Israelites and talk them out of it (see chapter 8).

But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, "No! but 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.”
—1 Sam. 8:19,20

Notice any red flags? First of all, the Israelites want to be like other nations. In Leviticus 20:26, God had told them, “You shall be holy to me; for I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples to be mine.” They are obviously not seeking this call on their lives to be separate from the world as examples of God’s holiness! Secondly, the Israelites want a king to fight their battles. If only they would take a hint from Israel’s history! After the Israelites came into the Promised Land and conquered many nations, Joshua told the people, “For the LORD has driven out before you great and strong nations; and as for you, no one has been able to withstand you to this day, One of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, as He promised you” (Joshua 23:9,10). Had they not been taught this? Did they actually believe that they would be more successful with a mortal fighting their battles than the Almighty God?

God grants the request of the Israelites and tells Samuel to anoint a Benjamite man named Saul to be king over Israel. After Samuel appoints him before the Israelites, he addresses the people with a farewell warning. If they and King Saul will choose to fear the Lord and keep his commands, things will go fine. However, that doesn’t change the fact that they have rejected God—“…‘you shall know and see that the wickedness that you have done in the sight of the LORD is great in demanding a king for yourselves’” (1 Sam. 12:17b).

From chapters thirteen through fifteen, Samuel gives the reader a picture of Saul’s kingship, and the consequences it brings upon Israel. Although Saul is a valiant fighter bold enough to face all the enemies of Israel, his is not a man after God’s heart. He does not live his life seeking to be completely obedient to God, nor does he lead in a way that brings God utmost glory. In short, Saul is a physical warrior for Israel, but not a spiritual one. By the end of chapter fifteen, the results are in: “And the LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Sam. 15:35b).

Was God the one who made a mistake in appointing Saul as king? Absolutely not. The man God chose made the mistake of choosing not to fear God and wholly obey him. And Israel faces the consequences for it. I wonder how they’re feeling right about now about this king that they just had to have! Do they regret their request? Are they blaming Saul’s poor leadership on God? Did “being like other nations” turn out to be as good as they thought it would be?

Have you ever wanted something so bad, but then when you finally got your hands on it realized that it wasn’t as fun or satisfying as you thought it would be? When I was in high school, I wanted popularity. I found a way to get it, and (surprise!) it did not satisfy me. What is it that you want (or wanted)? Trendier clothes? A relationship? More money in the bank? A life of pleasure? More friends? A new body? Acceptance from man? If you were able to get these things, did they fulfill you the way you thought they would?

The Israelites were convinced that if only they had a man as king over them, they’d be set. He’d fight their battles. They’d fit in with other nations. All would be well. They had to learn the hard way that when the true Master, Lord, and King is replaced by the things of the world and the finite understanding of mortals, the outcome will be anything but fulfillment.

It is only when God is in His rightful place as Lord and King in our lives that we will experience the abundant, fulfilling, and triumphant life that He wants us to live. It is more than God being “number one” on a list of priorities. It is making him the very center of our existence, letting him rule every area of our lives—every word, every thought, every action, every affection, and every habit. Who or what is sitting on the throne of your life today?

Looking deeper into the leadership and character of Saul:

1. Chapter 11—Why do you think the author chose to include this story right before Samuel’s warning in chapter 12? Note especially 11:13-15—did Saul seem to start out leading with the right heart?
2. Chapter 13—Compare Saul’s actions with his declaration in 11:13—how have things changed? Have you ever tried to take matters into your own hands when God wasn’t doing something by your own timetable?
3. Chapter 14:1-23—How does Saul’s son Jonathan’s character compare to that of Saul’s and what are the results? (Note verses 6 and 23.)
4. Chapter 14:24-52—Does Saul act on impulse here? Do you think Saul is right in becoming so angry with Jonathan? Read 14:45—what does it say about Saul’s character that the people had to point this out to him?
5. Chapter 15—What kind of obedience does God demand from us—90% or 100%? What is God’s response to Saul’s excuse in verse 21? Who does Saul put the blame on? How is this bad leadership?

Come back next month for part two of 1 & 2 Samuel to witness God’s sovereign mercy in appointing a bravehearted and heroic man after His own heart to reign over Israel as king. Hint: he saved lambs from the mouths of lions and bears!

Read 1 and 2 Samuel, Part 2—The Kingship of David

Copyright © by Tessa Hershberger