God gives us the leaders we deserve.

Give us a King

1 Samuel 8:1–21 (NKJV)

Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”

So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. 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.”

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 17:15–20 NKJV

you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

In Scripture, a righteous king is characterized by several key qualities and actions. Here are some of the attributes and examples:

1. **Justice and Fairness**:

- **Proverbs 29:14**: "If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever."

- **2 Samuel 8:15**: "David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people."

2. **Wisdom and Understanding**:

- **Proverbs 8:15-16**: "By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth."

- **1 Kings 3:9**: Solomon prays for wisdom: "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong."

3. **Fear of the Lord**:

- **Proverbs 16:12**: "Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness."

- **2 Chronicles 17:3-4**: Jehoshaphat's reign: "The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel."

4. **Protection and Care for the People**:

- **Psalm 72:12-14**: "For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight."

- **1 Kings 4:25**: During Solomon's reign: "During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and fig tree."

5. **Righteousness and Integrity**:

- **Proverbs 20:28**: "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure."

- **Psalm 101:1-8**: David's commitment to integrity: "I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life."

6. **Guidance and Counsel from God**:

- **Isaiah 11:2-4**: Speaking of the Messiah, the ideal king: "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth."

Examples of Righteous Kings in Scripture:

1. **King David**: Though he had personal failings, David is often highlighted as a righteous king who sought after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).

2. **King Solomon**: Known for his wisdom, Solomon’s early reign is marked by righteous judgment and prosperity for Israel (1 Kings 3:28; 1 Kings 10:23-24).

3. **King Hezekiah**: Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, reformed religious practices, and led Judah to follow God (2 Kings 18:5-7).

4. **King Josiah**: Known for his religious reforms and efforts to return Israel to the worship of Yahweh (2 Kings 22:1-2; 2 Kings 23:25).

These kings exemplify the qualities of a righteous leader as described in Scripture.

The qualities and expectations of a righteous king in the Old Testament culminate in the person of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the King of Kings and the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. Here’s how this culmination is understood in Christian theology:

1. **Lineage of David**:

- **2 Samuel 7:12-16**: God promises David that his throne will be established forever. This covenant is seen as pointing to Jesus, a descendant of David, who fulfills this promise.

- **Matthew 1:1**: "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham."

2. **Divine Wisdom and Understanding**:

- **Isaiah 11:2-3**: Describes the Messiah with attributes of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and fear of the Lord. Jesus exemplifies these traits throughout His ministry.

- **Colossians 2:3**: "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

3. **Perfect Justice and Righteousness**:

- **Isaiah 9:6-7**: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness."

- **Revelation 19:11**: "With justice he judges and wages war."

4. **Sacrificial Leadership and Servanthood**:

- **John 10:11**: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

- **Philippians 2:6-8**: Jesus, though in the form of God, took on human form and humbled Himself to death on a cross.

5. **Kingdom of Peace**:

- **Zechariah 9:9**: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey."

- **John 14:27**: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."

6. **Eternal Reign**:

- **Daniel 7:14**: "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

- **Revelation 11:15**: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."

7. **Healing and Deliverance**:

- **Isaiah 61:1-2**: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor... to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

- **Luke 4:18-21**: Jesus reads this passage in the synagogue and declares its fulfillment in Him.

8. **Ultimate Sacrifice and Redemption**:

- **Isaiah 53:4-5**: Describes the suffering servant who takes on the sins of the people. Christians believe this prophecy points to Jesus’ sacrificial death.

- **John 1:29**: John the Baptist declares Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Jesus Christ embodies and fulfills the qualities of the righteous king described in the Old Testament. His life, death, and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises, establishing an eternal kingdom characterized by justice, righteousness, and peace.

The Bible suggests that God may allow or appoint wicked rulers as a form of judgment or to accomplish His purposes. Here are some relevant passages:

1. **Daniel 2:21** - "He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." This verse implies that God has control over who rules, whether they are good or bad.

2. **Jeremiah 25:9** - "I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," declares the Lord, "and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin." Here, God calls Nebuchadnezzar, a notoriously harsh ruler, His servant to execute judgment.

3. **Romans 13:1** - "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." This suggests that all authorities, including wicked ones, are established by God.

4. **Isaiah 3:4-5** - "I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them. People will oppress each other—man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored." This passage indicates that ineffective and oppressive leaders can be a consequence for a nation's disobedience.

These verses collectively suggest that God does allow or appoint wicked rulers for His purposes, including judgment and testing of the people.

The Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs also touches on the topic of rulers and the consequences of their wickedness. Here are a few relevant verses:

1. **Proverbs 28:2** - "When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order." This implies that a lack of good governance can lead to chaos and instability.

2. **Proverbs 29:2** - "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." This verse explicitly states that wicked rulers cause suffering among the people.

3. **Proverbs 29:12** - "If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked." This highlights how the influence of a corrupt leader can permeate throughout the government.

4. **Proverbs 16:12** - "Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness." This suggests that a stable and just government is built on righteous leadership.

5. **Proverbs 28:15-16** - "Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign." These verses compare wicked rulers to dangerous animals and emphasize the harm they can cause.

These proverbs emphasize the negative impact of wicked rulers on a nation and its people, reinforcing the idea that righteous leadership is crucial for societal well-being.

Result

In the Bible, the judgment of having wicked rulers often leads to several outcomes, including suffering, oppression, and eventual repentance or destruction. Here are some potential ultimate outcomes of such judgment:

1. **Suffering and Oppression**: Wicked rulers can cause great suffering and oppression among the people. This is highlighted in passages such as Proverbs 29:2, which states that "when the wicked rule, the people groan."

2. **Destruction and Exile**: Persistent wickedness and disobedience can lead to national destruction and exile. For example, the people of Israel and Judah experienced exile as a consequence of their sins and the wickedness of their rulers (2 Kings 17:6-23; 2 Chronicles 36:15-20).

3. **Repentance and Restoration**: Sometimes, the suffering caused by wicked rulers leads the people to repent and turn back to God. This pattern is seen throughout the Book of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly fall into sin, suffer under oppressive rulers, cry out to God, and are delivered by judges whom God raises up.

4. **God's Ultimate Justice**: In the end, the Bible teaches that God will bring about ultimate justice, punishing the wicked and vindicating the righteous. This is seen in passages like Isaiah 10:1-4, where God pronounces woe on unjust leaders, and in Revelation 19:11-16, which describes Christ's return to judge and wage war against evil.

Overall, the judgment of wicked rulers serves as a means of divine discipline, aiming to bring people back to righteousness and ultimately leading to God's just and sovereign plan being fulfilled.

What would the unrighteous model look like in our day?

If we consider the biblical concept of God’s judgment through unrighteous leaders and apply it to a modern context like America, it might look like the following:

1. **Widespread Injustice and Corruption**:

- Increased instances of corruption and bribery in government and institutions.

- Legal systems that fail to protect the innocent and punish the guilty fairly.

- Discrimination and unequal treatment of citizens based on race, economic status, or other factors.

2. **Social and Economic Inequality**:

- Growing disparity between the wealthy and the poor, leading to increased poverty and homelessness.

- Lack of access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing for a significant portion of the population.

- Economic policies that favor the rich and powerful at the expense of the middle and lower classes.

3. **Moral and Ethical Decline**:

- Widespread acceptance and normalization of behaviors that are considered immoral or unethical by biblical standards.

- Erosion of family values and community cohesion.

- Increase in crime rates, including violent crimes, theft, and fraud.

4. **Oppression and Suffering**:

- Increased instances of governmental or institutional oppression of certain groups or individuals.

- Policies that lead to the suffering of vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and the disabled.

- A general atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the populace.

5. **National Instability and Division**:

- Political polarization and division leading to civil unrest and conflicts.

- Erosion of trust in public institutions and leaders.

- Possible threats to national security and internal peace.

6. **Natural and Man-Made Disasters**:

- Increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, potentially seen as divine judgment.

- Poor management and response to such disasters, exacerbating their impact on the population.

- Environmental degradation and its negative consequences on health and livelihoods.

7. **Spiritual Decline**:

- A turning away from religious practices and beliefs, leading to a spiritual vacuum.

- Proliferation of false teachings and ideologies that lead people astray.

- Lack of moral and spiritual leadership to guide the nation.

8. **Leadership Failures**:

- Leaders who prioritize their interests and those of their close allies over the common good.

- Incompetence and inefficiency in governance, leading to poor policy decisions and implementation.

- Lack of accountability and transparency in government actions.

These points collectively suggest a society experiencing significant challenges and decline, reflecting the kind of judgment seen in biblical times under unrighteous leaders.

What would our nation look like with the righteous model?

If America were to acknowledge Christ as King and order itself at all levels to reflect that in its governance, it might look like the following:

1. **Just and Fair Governance**:

- Leaders who prioritize justice, fairness, and the common good over personal or political gain.

- Transparent and accountable governance with leaders who model integrity and righteousness.

- Legal systems that protect the innocent, uphold justice, and punish wrongdoing impartially.

2. **Social and Economic Equality**:

- Policies that promote economic justice and reduce inequality, ensuring that all citizens have access to basic needs such as healthcare, education, and housing.

- Efforts to alleviate poverty, support the disadvantaged, and create opportunities for all.

- A commitment to fair wages, ethical business practices, and corporate responsibility.

3. **Moral and Ethical Standards**:

- A societal emphasis on biblical moral and ethical values, such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect for others.

- Programs and initiatives that strengthen family values, community bonds, and social cohesion.

- Education systems that incorporate character-building and ethical teachings.

4. **Protection and Care for the Vulnerable**:

- Strong support systems for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, the disabled, and the marginalized.

- Policies that ensure the protection of human rights and the dignity of all individuals.(even unborn ones)

- Initiatives to combat human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation.

5. **National Unity and Peace**:

- Efforts to bridge political, racial, and social divides, promoting unity and reconciliation.

- A focus on peace-building, conflict resolution, and fostering a sense of national and community solidarity.

- Promotion of civil discourse and respect for differing viewpoints.

6. **Environmental Stewardship**:

- Responsible management of natural resources and commitment to environmental sustainability.

- Policies that address climate, pollution, and conservation, reflecting stewardship of God’s creation.

- Community efforts to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.

7. **Spiritual Revival and Freedom**:

- Encouragement of religious freedom and the right to worship, while promoting a society that values spiritual growth and renewal.

- Support for churches, religious organizations, and faith-based initiatives that serve the community.

- National days of prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and blessings.

8. **Servant Leadership**:

- Leaders who exemplify the servant leadership model of Christ, prioritizing service to others over power and prestige.

- Policies that reflect humility, compassion, and a commitment to the welfare of the people.

- Encouragement of a culture where leaders and citizens alike seek to serve one another in love.

9. **Comprehensive Social Support**:

- Comprehensive healthcare systems that ensure the well-being of all citizens.

- Education systems that provide quality education for all, with an emphasis on moral and ethical development.

- Social services that support families, promote healthy communities, and provide for those in need.

10. **Global Responsibility and Compassion**:

- Foreign policies that reflect justice, peace, and compassion, promoting human rights and aiding those in need globally.

- Active participation in international efforts to address poverty, disease, and conflict.

- A commitment to being a beacon of hope and support to other nations, reflecting Christ’s love and compassion.

These points collectively envision a society grounded in Christian values and principles, leading to just, compassionate, and righteous governance.

Quick review of last weeks Kingdoms.

### Quick Reference: Unrighteous vs. Righteous Kingdoms

#### Unrighteous Kingdom

1. **Widespread Injustice and Corruption**

- Increased corruption and bribery.

- Legal systems fail to protect the innocent and punish the guilty.

- Discrimination and unequal treatment.

2. **Social and Economic Inequality**

- Growing disparity between rich and poor.

- Lack of access to essential services.

- Economic policies favoring the wealthy.

3. **Moral and Ethical Decline**

- Normalization of immoral behaviors.

- Erosion of family values and community cohesion.

- Increase in crime rates.

4. **Oppression and Suffering**

- Governmental oppression of certain groups.

- Policies causing suffering for vulnerable populations.

- Atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

5. **National Instability and Division**

- Political polarization and civil unrest.

- Erosion of trust in institutions.

- Threats to national security.

6. **Natural and Man-Made Disasters**

- Increased disasters seen as divine judgment.

- Poor management exacerbating impacts.

- Environmental degradation.

7. **Spiritual Decline**

- Turning away from religious practices.

- Proliferation of false teachings.

- Lack of moral and spiritual leadership.

8. **Leadership Failures**

- Leaders prioritize personal gain.

- Incompetence in governance.

- Lack of accountability and transparency.

---

#### Righteous Kingdom

1. **Just and Fair Governance**

- Leaders prioritize justice and the common good.

- Transparent and accountable governance.

- Legal systems protecting and punishing fairly.

2. **Social and Economic Equality**

- Policies promoting economic justice and reducing inequality.

- Access to healthcare, education, and housing.

- Fair wages and ethical business practices.

3. **Moral and Ethical Standards**

- Emphasis on honesty, integrity, compassion.

- Strengthening family values and community bonds.

- Education incorporating character-building.

4. **Protection and Care for the Vulnerable**

- Strong support systems for vulnerable populations.

- Protection of human rights and dignity.

- Combatting human trafficking and exploitation.

5. **National Unity and Peace**

- Efforts to bridge political and social divides.

- Promotion of peace-building and reconciliation.

- Encouragement of civil discourse.

6. **Environmental Stewardship**

- Policies promoting sustainability and conservation.

- Addressing climate change and pollution.

- Community involvement in environmental protection.

7. **Spiritual Revival and Freedom**

- Protection of religious freedom.

- Support for faith-based initiatives.

- National days of prayer and thanksgiving.

8. **Servant Leadership**

- Leaders exemplifying servant leadership.

- Policies reflecting humility and compassion.

- Community service and acts of compassion.

9. **Global Responsibility and Compassion**

- Foreign policies reflecting justice and peace.

- Participation in international aid and support.

- Promoting human dignity and justice globally.

Bridge the Gap from the unrighteous kingdom to the Kingdom under Christ righteousness

### Step-by-Step Model for Moving to a Righteous Nation

**Individual Level:**

1. **Personal Repentance and Transformation**:

- **Scripture**: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matthew 4:17)

- **Action**: Encourage individuals to seek personal repentance and transformation through a relationship with Christ. Promote personal Bible study, prayer, and accountability.

2. **Living Out Christ’s Teachings**:

- **Scripture**: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

- **Action**: Foster a culture where individuals strive to live out Christ's teachings in their daily lives, exhibiting love, compassion, integrity, and justice.

**Family Level:**

1. **Family Worship and Discipleship**:

- **Scripture**: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

- **Action**: Encourage families to regularly worship together, study the Bible, and pray. Provide resources and support for family discipleship and spiritual growth.

2. **Modeling Biblical Values**:

- **Scripture**: "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

- **Action**: Promote the importance of parents modeling biblical values in the home. Offer parenting classes and support groups that emphasize raising children with godly principles.

**Church Level:**

1. **Teaching Sound Doctrine**:

- **Scripture**: "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2)

- **Action**: Ensure churches are teaching sound biblical doctrine. Offer robust discipleship programs and Bible studies to deepen the faith of congregants.

2. **Community Engagement and Service**:

- **Scripture**: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)

- **Action**: Mobilize the church to engage in community service and outreach. Establish ministries that address local needs, such as food banks, shelters, and counseling services.

3. **Promoting Unity and Reconciliation**:

- **Scripture**: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

- **Action**: Foster unity within the church and promote reconciliation in the community. Encourage collaboration among different denominations and faith-based organizations.

**Civil Realm:**

1. **Electing Righteous Leaders**:

- **Scripture**: "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2)

- **Action**: Support and elect leaders who demonstrate godly character and a commitment to justice and righteousness. Encourage Christians to participate in the political process and run for office.

2. **Establishing Just Laws and Policies**:

- **Scripture**: "For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended." (Romans 13:3)

- **Action**: Advocate for laws and policies that reflect biblical principles of justice, compassion, and integrity. Engage in public policy discussions and support initiatives that promote the common good.

3. **Promoting Social Justice and Compassion**:

- **Scripture**: "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." (Isaiah 1:17)

- **Action**: Address social injustices and support initiatives that help the marginalized and vulnerable. Encourage civic engagement and community involvement in addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and human rights.

4. **Environmental Stewardship**:

- **Scripture**: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15)

- **Action**: Promote policies and practices that reflect responsible stewardship of the environment. Support conservation efforts and educate communities on sustainable living.

- Launch awareness campaigns focused on repentance and spiritual renewal.###

Implementation Strategy

**Phase 1: Awareness and Foundation Building**

- Develop resources for personal and family discipleship.

- Conduct workshops and seminars for church leaders on sound doctrine and community engagement.

**Phase 2: Community Engagement and Policy Advocacy**

- Mobilize churches to engage in community service and outreach.

- Organize voter registration drives and candidate forums to support the election of righteous leaders.

- Advocate for just laws and policies at local, state, and national levels.

**Phase 3: Sustained Growth and Impact**

- Establish ongoing programs and initiatives to address social injustices and promote environmental stewardship.

- Foster collaboration among churches, community organizations, and government agencies.

- Monitor progress and adjust strategies to ensure sustained impact and alignment with biblical principles.

By taking these tangible steps at the individual, family, church, and civil levels, we can work towards transforming the nation to reflect the righteousness and justice of Christ’s kingdom.