Make Us a King
[ 1 Samuel 8:1-9 ]
Adam Metropolis
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his first-born
son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 Yet his sons did
not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
1
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to
him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge
us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge
us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 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. 8 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. 9 Now
then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who
shall reign over them.”
1 Samuel 8:1-9
1 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
 Gideon refuses to make his sons judges (Judges 8:22-23)
 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your
grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” 23 Gideon said to them,
“I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.”
2 The name of his first-born son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in
Beersheba.
Beersheba was an important, fortified city at the Southernmost part of Israel. Samuel was judge
at Ramah, and Beersheba was about fifty-seven miles southwest of it. Samuel wouldn't have had much
direct contact/involvement with his sons.
3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted
justice.
The wicked accepts a bribe in secret,
to pervert the ways of justice.
Proverbs 17:23
“Ironically, Samuel's two sons were as wicked in their own way as were Eli's two sons.” (Frank
Gaebelein, The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah
This is a full-on, non-violent revolution. “They want a fundamental change of national constitution.” (The NIV Application Commentary, 1&2 Samuel)
5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a
king to judge us like all the nations.”
Israel is about to change from a Theocratic, Tribal Confederation to a Monarchy.
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.”
 Deuteronomy 17:14-20
 Read from the Bible
 Literally, “the thing was evil in Samuel's eyes.”
7 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.
8 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.
9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king
who shall reign over them.”
 Politics: Romney vs. Obama
 Twist: Celebrity pastors
LUKE 19:14 Humanity doesn't want Jesus to reign over it
Jesus promises to slaughter those who do not want Him as King.
Do you want Jesus as King? Will you bow to Him today? Or will you go after false Kings,
who will abuse and exploit you and your children? Choose this day whom you will serve.
Luke 24:36-44 !! Repentence and forgiveness of sins
Romans 10:9 !!! If you simply believe on His Name, you will be saved, and works will follow.