1 Samuel 8:6–9; 12:13–25

Bible Studies for Life
Associate Professor, Department of Religion, Samford University

When I Make Poor Choices
1 Samuel 8:6–9; 12:13–25

Give Me What I Want (8:6–9)
The three-way exchange between Samuel, the elders and Yahweh that begins in verse 4 reflects the point of deep tension at which the Israelites found themselves. When the elders asked to have a king “like all the nations,” they were forgetting that Israel’s strength was to be unlike the other nations. The Israelites were God’s chosen people and He was their King. It is clear that the demand for an earthly monarchy was initiated by Israel, not by the Lord. This agenda was not a rejection of Samuel but of God Himself. The entire history of Israel was one of “forsaking” and going after other gods. This request for a king was one more step in that continuing pattern of mistrust and waywardness. The Lord’s instructions to the elderly Samuel were threefold. First, he was to heed the people’s request (literally “Hear the voice of the people” in verse 7). Second, he was to “warn them solemnly.” Finally, he was to declare the consequences of their demand for a king. As wise believers often remind us, the greatest judgment God can give us is to let us have our own way. 

Consequences of My Choices (12:13–19)
The threefold exhortation — to “fear,” “serve” and “obey” — characterized the foundational conditions of a right relationship between God and His people and between God and “the king.” To underscore this exhortation, Samuel showed the Israelites that the manner in which they were demanding an earthly king had consequences. Instead of first repenting of its sin and trusting that Yahweh would raise up a deliverer for it, Israel was attempting to acquire the benefits of a right relationship without an authentic turning to the Lord. Its demand for a king, then, was no act of repentance but rather an act of rebellion. The wheat harvest was usually in May and June when the early summer rain rarely falls. This being so, the thunder and rain was readily acknowledged as a miraculous sign in response to Samuel’s prayer. Yahweh heard the prophet’s prayer and responded with “sounds and rain.” The people stood “in awe of” not only the Lord but also Samuel. No doubt they understood this supernatural disruption of the natural world to reflect Israel’s disruption of the God-ordained pattern of relationship that is to exist between the nation and Yahweh. The phenomenon produced the desired effect, which is a contrite confession of sin. Israel asked Samuel to intercede to Yahweh on its behalf. One cannot help but recall the passages in Exodus 20 and 32 in which Moses mediates for the people. The coupling of these two great intercessors appears in Jeremiah 15:1.

God Is in Control (12:20–25)
Samuel told the Israelites not to fear; in spite of his own frustrations and disappointments with the people, he would not abdicate his prophetic calling to intercede on their behalf. With this assurance, however, came covenantal demand. Twice he warned them not to “turn away,” both from the Lord and to useless idols. The original meaning of the Hebrew term for “useless” is “wilderness”; it is used here as a metaphor for emptiness, nothingness. Idols are “empty nothings” that reward the one who trusts in them with only vanity and futility. Samuel made three important points to solidify Israel’s newfound resolve for right relationship. First, he gave assurance that the Lord was in a unique partnership with Israel, valued that partnership and would not renege on it. Second, the prophet assured the nation of his own faithfulness to it. He would carry on as Israel’s pivotal intercessor, voicing prayers on its behalf and teaching it to live in right relationship with Yahweh. Third, Samuel issued one more summons to fidelity, calling the people to serve the Lord faithfully and with all their hearts. Should the Israelites fail and “persist in doing evil,” both people and king would be swept away. The nation’s true threat was not an external enemy that could be defeated on a battlefield. The real threat was internal and spiritual. The wayward attitude that caused Israel to demand a king in preference to a restored relationship with Yahweh was soon to foster serious consequences. It will begin with Saul’s rejection as king in the chapter to follow.