Day 90 · Part 7: The Kingdom
A King Like the Nations
In the Story
In context
About 1050 BC, with Samuel old and his sons taking bribes, Israel’s elders asked, “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:1–5). Moses had said the day would come when Israel would want “a king over me, like all the nations that are around me” (Deuteronomy 17:14). The Lord told Samuel, “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them,” and had him warn them what a king would take: sons, daughters, fields, and a tenth of their grain and flocks (8:7–18).
The Lord chose Saul son of Kish, a tall young man from Benjamin, “the smallest of the tribes of Israel,” as Saul said, while he was out looking for his father’s lost donkeys (9:1–21). Samuel anointed him in private, pouring oil on his head as a sign that he was to be king, and at Mizpah, tribe by tribe, Saul was chosen, though he had hidden among the baggage (10:1, 20–24). He rescued the town of Jabesh Gilead from Nahash the Ammonite, and the people made him king at Gilgal (11:1–15). In his farewell, Samuel reminded Israel of all the Lord had done for them since Moses (12:6–11).
For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
1 Samuel 12:22–23 · Samuel’s farewell: though Israel had asked for a king, the Lord “will not forsake his people,” and Samuel would not stop praying for them.
For families
When the donkeys couldn’t be found, Saul wanted to turn back, “lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and be anxious for us” (9:5). He was right: Samuel told him two men would meet him with news that his father was asking, “What shall I do for my son?” (10:2).
Kish began to worry when his son stayed away too long. What does someone in your family do when they’re worried about you?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
1 Samuel 8
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1 Samuel 9
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1 Samuel 10
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1 Samuel 11
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1 Samuel 12
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A hymn for today
Great Is Thy Faithfulness · words by Thomas O. Chisholm
- Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,There is no shadow of turning with Thee;Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.RefrainGreat is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see;All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
- Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,Join with all nature in manifold witnessTo Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.RefrainGreat is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see;All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
- Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!RefrainGreat is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see;All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!