Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
1 Samuel 8:6-9
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.”
In 1193, the English King Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was returning from leading a Crusade to the Holy Land. As he returned through Europe, Leopold V captured him in Austria. The Holy Roman Emperor demanded a ransom for Richard’s release. The price was equal to three tons of silver, an enormous ransom demand. But the people of England so loved their king they submitted to extra taxation, and many nobles donated their fortunes for Richard’s release. After many months, the money was raised and King Richard returned to England, hence where we get the expression, “a king’s ransom.”
When we come to 1 Samuel 8, Yahweh God has been King of Israel and has cared for the nation since its beginning; but now the elders of the nation want an earthly king to lead them. The powerful nations around Israel were a constant threat, and the elders felt that a king would give greater safety and security, and would give them the appearance of a stronger position. Samuel’s reaction to their request shows that he fully understood their unbelief and rebellion: they were rejecting Yahweh as their true King. In this we see God’s permissive will. He allowed them to choose a king, but he warned them of the cost, and oh what a terrible king Saul turned out to be! Be careful what you wish for!
This begs a couple of questions: who is your king and what are you willing to do for him? Most people want an earthly king to rule them. For some it’s an earthly president or ruler. For others their job or their possessions are king. For still others pleasure and leisure are seated on the throne of their heart. Some put sports or hobbies on the throne. Whatever directs your life, your time, money, and attention, is your king. So, who or what is your king and what are you willing to do for him? There is only one who deserves to sit on the throne of our hearts and that’s King Jesus! Trust Him today and watch Him bless your life. He is a great protector, provider, and Savior!