Whitnee's journey with Christ

1 Samuel 8

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders.[a] 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead[b] us, such as all the other nations have.”

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”

This past Sunday, Sunday School was exceptionally relevant!! We got to meet a wonderful community leader in person (it’s always nice to put a face to a name), we experienced beloved community, a powerful and meaningful time of prayer together, received a challenge for the week, and most importantly we studied a lesson that truly allows us to not only READ the Bible but APPLY the Bible and Pray with the Bible- which essentially is the goal of our study guide.

It’s such a beautiful thing when not only can we learn together but to apply it throughout the week and actively study God’s Word together while taking an individual approach is simply brilliant!

So this weeks challenge was to read 1 Samuel chapter 8 and find a word that resonates with us. Immediately as we took turns reading scripture, the word take resonated with me (keep reading and I’ll tell you why!).

In reading 1 Samuel 8:16-20 the word take is used twice. Look at verse 18, it reads: And on that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves? But the Lord will not answer you on that day.

Wow! Ouch! Warning!!!!

If we had been given the challenge to pick a scripture or scriptures (which was Robin’s suggestion) ultimately I can say these passages of Scripture resonated with me the most.

Other words that stood out to me in reading this lesson to include applying the Bible and praying with the Bible were:

• Corrupt
• Fear
• Change
• Rejection of God’s way
• Conformity
• Unique community
• Way of God verses way of the world
• False idols
• Enslavement
• Their choice
• Final warning

The reason why the word take resonated with me is because in many instances, taking, seems to be the way of the world. You hear people say, “take the bull by the horns,” “take what you want”, etc. Apply the Bible, 1 Samuel 8:16-20…He will take your male and female slaves…He will take one-tenth of your flock.

God’s way is to give life and to restore but here in Scripture, a kings desire is to take or in other words to enslave. In the commentary it reads, The people of Israel are giving up their freedom; effectively, they are going back to their Egyptian enslavement by choosing a king.

While I try my best just to provide a brief overview or synopsis of the Sunday School lesson, I have to point out that in this passage of Scripture God told Samuel to tell the people the whole truth about what would come of their decision and life if they chose an earthly king, after several warnings and knowing the entire truth, the people of Israel still chose an earthly king. They felt that having an earthly king (in verse 20, so that we also may be like other nations and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles).

The God I serve goes out before me and fights my battles, not the governor, not the president, and definitely not a “king!”

Have you made a decision in your life that truly was opposite from God’s way? What were your warning signs that you had turned away from God and took things into your own hands or went about things the way the world would? Come on be honest with yourself!

Honestly speaking, I am guilty! So when Kelly so graciously broke down this Sunday school lesson, I had guilt written all over my face. I’m not ashamed to admit it because I needed this truth to punch me right in the face to put me back on the right track. Realizing that when we (I) allow struggle, fear, doubt, frustration, or unwillingness to relinquish power I thought I had, I’m turning away from God’s way and without realizing it I am worshipping an idol or false God. Finding reassurance in things I know are wrong but I still make the choice to still partake in things is something reading this lesson I realized.

Tatayana said it best, “Lord help my unbelief!”

As a people we are so quick to criticize and scrutinize what folks have done but don’t realize WE CHOOSE THE SAME VICIOUS CYCLE! Help us Lord!

Y’all don’t know I’m so fired up right now I could speak the Word and provide a testimony on what this lesson has done for me. I’m so grateful that I was able to attend this Sunday school lesson and how it helped me pump the brakes. 🗣️ LORD I NEED YOUR HELP! God I ask that you cleanse my heart, cleanse my mouth, govern my mind. Lord help me in my unbelief. Lord help me trust in You and Your timing and Your will for my life. Lord help me to grow steadfast in my Faith and trust You more with my finances. Lord I don’t tithe like I’m supposed to because most times I’m already short on Dominion, BoA, or other things but God right now I’m asking you to remove that doubt, that fear, that shame that comes along with it and replace it with peace, understanding, and wisdom to give what You have asked of me. Lord you said don’t worry about what we will eat or what we will wear, so I’m asking you right now Lord God restore my mind and strengthen me where I have grown weak. Lord I don’t want to be weary anymore, I don’t want to live like I serve a God of scarcity, I don’t want to walk by sight but ONLY BY FAITH! Lord come into my house, my marriage, my job, my bank account, my finances…INCREASE YOU LORD and DECREASE ME! Lord I yield to Your Will dear Lord, I’m tired of running and hiding. Lord USE ME LORD to speak the truth in love like I used to and like I’ve never done before. Use me Lord to shine Your light here on earth. Lord I confess I fall short and I’m not worthy and I want to change. Thank you for your love, thank you for your grace, thank you for the gift of salvation, the gift of forgiveness, and for Your son Jesus Christ dying on the cross for me. Lord help me to not be like the people in Israel and to turn away from the things of today that are idols or false Gods and to CHOOSE freedom in YOU. Thank you Lord for the lesson learned through this example given through Samuel. Forgive me Lord for repeating the same missteps and give me Your strength and wisdom to not reject Your desires for my life. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

I extend the challenge to each of you reading todays message to read over 1 Samuel 8 and find the word, words, or scripture that resonates with you. I challenge you to explore, apply, and pray with the Bible.