June 26, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 8 (NIV)
Israel Asks for a King
1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 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.…..Continue Reading
I guess we can call this the No Kings chapter. But for good reason here, because what could be better than to have God as your king, and a judge to mediate between God and the people and to share His wisdom with them. There are also good words in the chapter for us to hear when we are rejected because of our testimony to Jesus, that they are not rejecting us, but they are rejecting God. Satan embitters hearts toward those that might speak truth into an unbelievers life. So they hate us like they hated Jesus. But Jesus warned us about that and it should not dampen our conviction to share the gospel. Samuel does warn them about what having a king will mean, but like a bunch of teenagers, the people say, we want to be like everybody else. May we be content with God as our king and pray for our leaders that they would at least follow godly principles and govern with justice, and at most come to the knowledge of Jesus and take Him as their Savior and Lord!
1 Samuel 1-8
Finally, all caught up!
1 Samuel 7 and 8
1st Samuel 8
1 Samuel 7 and 8
The Isrealites are a little like a group of highschoolers that want to “fit in” and have a king like everyone else. It’s mind boggling to think you have the best set up anyone could ask for with God as your king but you want to settle for an imperfect man that will likely mess things up as a result of his own pride and follishness. But they doth persist and God grants them what they want even though He clearly tells them how this is going to go down and that it won’t be great. tough way to learn a lesson when we insist on having things our way and God allows it.
The Israelites had their own perception of what a king should be, and they wanted to identify with the pagan nations. God, being the good Father that he is, warned them about it. But their minds were made up; they were so bold as to demand that they be given a king! And so it was given to them at a high cost. Let’s remember that only God knows what’s best for us, and if he warns us about a decision we want to make, it is wise to listen. And when the Lord is the King of our lives, we will want no other ; )
”And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”“
I Samuel 8:18 NKJV
Men (and women) like a leader they can see. We are like this in many cases. We lack faith and seek for what we can see. Ultimately, when the physical fails us, we cry out to the Lord.
1 Samuel 8
The Israelites wanted a king. They were tired of Samuel’s son’s corruption. When we approach God in prayer, we are to consider God’s will in the matter. Consider the consequences. Think about the stubbornness of our own heart. We lack faith and want what we see.