11 The People Demand a King

This evening, we’ll conclude 1 Samuel chapter 7, and then begin examining chapter 8.

• In chapter 7, we saw Samuel emphasize the “religious” leader aspect of being a judge, rather than being a military leader.

This was seen as he prayed and sacrificed on behalf of the people:

1 Samuel 7:9

While the nation feared the military power of the Philistines, they needed to understand that the all-powerful God was on their side.

1 God Provides the Victory

The Philistines also had not learned from God’s previous judgments upon them, as they began preparations for war against Israel:

1 Samuel 7:10-14

Yet, we see how Samuel prayed, and then allowed God to act as He determined.

“the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day”.

• Which shows that it was the Lord alone who brought about the victory over the powerful Philistines, and He did so in the most amazing and unusual manner.

All Israel had to do was basically a cleanup operation. The battle itself belonged to the Lord.

In the same way, during the Great Tribulation, Israel’s enemies will be defeated by the mere presence of Christ, when He returns in His Second Coming:

2 Thessalonians 2:8

Israel drove the Philistines as far as the area of Beth-Car, located near Mizpah.

Samuel then set up a monument which he called Ebenezer, which means “stone of help”. This was intended to remind the nation of their help coming from the Lord.

Not only were cities previously captured by the Philistines returned to Israel, but there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

2 Samuel the Judge

The final verses of the chapter, provide an overview of the methods of Samuel’s ministry:

1 Samuel 7:15-17

Samuel thus served the Lord and His people all his life. Which should be a goal for each of us.

He travelled on a circuit going from town to town, calling the people to repentance, and as a judge, also settling any disputes that might arise amongst the people.

He would also return to his hometown of Ramah, where he built an altar to the Lord, showing it was also a place of personal worship for him.

3 Foolish Decision and Foolish Request

In chapter 8, we see how we are all prone to mistakes and sin:

1 Samuel 8:1-9

In his old age, Samuel made a foolish decision by installing his two ungodly sons as judges.

It’s so ironic, since he’d seen the sinfulness of the elderly priest Eli’s two sons, who had perverted the priesthood.

It also recalls how the disciples determined to replace Judas with someone by casting lots (and then praying over him).

In each of these cases, it should have been left up to the Lord to choose the replacement, rather than man acting presumptuously.

Samuel’s two sons committed many of the same sins as did Eli’s two sons:

1 Samuel 8:3

So, even though Samuel had faithfully served the Lord, he still dismissed the sins of his sons, while in his official capacity, judging the sins of others.

The elders then gathered at Ramah to voice their displeasure to Samuel. However, they also acted presumptuously, as they not only rejected Samuel’s sons as judges, but they determined they wanted a king to rule over the instead.

They were looking for a man of flesh and blood (like the heathen nations had) to lead them.

Samuel felt betrayed and rejected by the elders, but thankfully brought the matter before the Lord.

The Lord responded to Samuel in an interesting way, by telling him the people weren’t rejecting Samuel, but the Lord Himself:

1 Samuel 8:7-9

We’ll conclude the chapter next week.