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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 22 July 2025:
1 Samuel 8:1–3 — When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel…. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
Even faithful leadership can fail to reproduce itself when successors lack integrity. Samuel’s sons, like Eli’s, did not carry forward the righteousness of their father. Despite Samuel’s exemplary service to the Lord, his sons were driven by greed and perverted justice for personal gain. This tragic pattern warns us that godliness is not inherited—it must be chosen. Just as Paul told Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16), we too must vigilantly guard character and doctrine, especially when influencing others.
1 Samuel 8:4–5 — Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
Israel’s request was not just about corrupt leadership — it revealed a deeper heart issue: they wanted to be like the nations. Rather than crying out to God for reformation or revival, they chose imitation of worldly systems over dependence on the Lord. Their request was not just political — it was idolatrous. It echoes Romans 12:2, which urges believers, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Choosing conformity over covenant faithfulness always leads to regret.
1 Samuel 8:4–5 also warns Christians that our behavior can deeply impact others’ faith, often in ways we don’t immediately see. In this passage, the elders of Israel demand a king not because God failed them, but because Samuel’s sons, who were placed in leadership, did not walk in their father’s righteous ways. Their corruption and unfaithfulness disillusioned the people and led them to seek a worldly solution—appointing a king like the surrounding nations. This reflects a tragic pattern: when God’s people fail to live with integrity, it can drive others away from trusting God and toward alternatives that seem more stable, just, or relatable. Rather than calling for repentance or renewal, the people chose conformity with the world. This warns us that the sins of believers—especially those in visible roles—can discourage fellow Christians and cause outsiders to turn away from faith altogether. Even faithful servants like Samuel suffer from the ripple effects of compromised character in others. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 18:6, emphasizing the gravity of causing others to stumble. Our lives are always teaching something; the question is whether they point others toward Christ or away from Him. When our conduct contradicts our confession, we not only damage our own witness but also make it harder for others to believe. Therefore, 1 Samuel 8:4–5 calls us to live in such a way that strengthens others’ trust in God rather than weakening it. Let your life be a reason someone stays in the faith—not the reason they walk away.
1 Samuel 8:6–8 — But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”
This was not merely a rejection of Samuel’s leadership—it was a rejection of God’s kingship. Israel desired a visible, human king because they had lost sight of their invisible but sovereign God. Their demand exposed their distrust in God’s sufficiency. Centuries later, Jesus would also be rejected as King (John 19:15), because His kingship did not align with worldly expectations. Yet the true King always reigns, and His rule is eternal (Rev. 19:16). To reject God’s reign is to choose bondage disguised as autonomy.
From Henry T. Blackaby: “The Israelites were to be a nation unlike any other. Every other nation had a king or ruler, but Israel’s king was to be God Himself! Still, the Israelites complained that they wanted to be like other nations and have an earthly ruler! As we read about the Israelites, we marvel at their foolishness. Yet we are prone to make the same mistake, choosing our human wisdom over God’s leadership. There is much discussion these days about leaders and managers. According to popular teaching, leaders have the vision and set goals for people or organizations to follow. Managers handle the day-to-day marshaling of resources under their charge. In the Christian life, God is the leader of our lives, our families, and our churches. God sets the direction; He establishes the priorities; He provides the resources. We are the managers. We take what He gives us and do with it as He directs. The biblical term for leader is Lord. As our Lord, Christ has the authority to reveal the direction for our lives. As Lord, He chooses our careers, leads us to our marriage partners, and helps us set our daily priorities. We are to be good managers of the mind, body, and spiritual life He gives. He is the Lord of our families. He knows what is best for our children. He knows how to make marriages strong. Our responsibility is to obey Him as He leads our families to Christlikeness. Christ is the Lord of our church. He takes responsibility for expanding it (Matthew 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:18). Only He knows what is best for our church. Our task is to faithfully perform the role He assigns us. Do not foolishly trust in human wisdom and leadership as the Israelites did. Follow your Lord and trust Him alone.
1 Samuel 8:9–18 – “…he will take your sons… he will take your daughters… he will take the best of your fields… he will take the tenth of your grain… you shall be his slaves.”
God instructs Samuel to warn the people about what it really means to have a king. The repetition of the phrase “he will take” builds a sobering image: earthly rulers often consume more than they give. This warning mirrors the spiritual slavery that follows rejecting God’s rule in favor of worldly systems. Just as sin promises freedom but leads to bondage (Rom. 6:16), so their chosen king would take everything and still leave them wanting.
1 Samuel 8:19–20 — But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations….”
Despite the clear warning, Israel persisted. Their hearts were set, not on God’s will, but on human imitation and worldly prestige. Their statement reveals the root of rebellion: a desire to be self-defined and culturally aligned, not set apart as God’s holy people (Lev. 20:26). Like the crowds who later chose Barabbas over Jesus, they chose what seemed expedient over what was true. They desired a king to “go out before us and fight our battles,” yet they already had one: the Lord of Hosts.
1 Samuel 8:21–22 — And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.”
Sometimes, God gives people what they insist on to let them taste the consequences. Romans 1:24 reflects this principle: “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts…” Israel’s insistence becomes a test and a judgment. This is not God abandoning them, but disciplining them. He lets them walk the path they chose, not to destroy them, but to eventually bring them to repentance and see that no king—no system—can replace God Himself.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 22 July 2025: Don’t trade the invisible rule of God for the visible systems of man. Today, examine the ways you might be seeking security, identity, or validation from human institutions, cultural norms, or even spiritual leaders instead of Christ Himself. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where your heart says, “Give me a king,” and repent of any trust placed in people over God. Remember: Jesus is the true King who lays down His life for His sheep, not one who takes from them (John 10:11). Submit every desire for control, prestige, or imitation of the world to His gracious rule.
Pray: “King Jesus, I confess how easily I long for what the world esteems. Forgive me for desiring the approval and patterns of the nations more than Your presence. You are my true King. Teach me to walk by faith, not by sight, and to trust in Your leadership even when it’s unseen and uncomfortable. Help me not to conform to this world but to be transformed by Your truth. Lead me, Shepherd of my soul, and guard me from trusting in anything or anyone above You. Amen.”
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