The Demand for a King: Rejecting God’s Kingship

Introduction: When We Think We Know Better Than God

In the early 20th century, Henry Ford revolutionized transportation with the Model T. But as competitors innovated, Ford refused to adapt, famously declaring: “They can have any color they want, as long as it’s black.” Ford’s unwillingness to trust innovation led to a decline in sales, forcing him to finally change.

Israel faced a similar moment of decision—but instead of refusing change, they demanded it. In 1 Samuel 8, Israel insists on having a human king, rejecting God’s rule over them. They thought they knew what was best, but their request would lead to spiritual and national consequences.

I. Israel’s Request for a King (1 Samuel 8:1-5)

1 Samuel 8:1–5 ESV

1 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn 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. 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.”

As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges (v. 1), but they were corrupt (v. 3).

The elders of Israel approach Samuel, demanding: “Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations” (v. 5).

This request is not just political—it is a spiritual rejection of God’s kingship.

Key Lessons from Israel’s Demand

They equated leadership failure with God's failure.

Samuel’s sons were corrupt, but instead of seeking God’s solution, they sought a human solution.

Today, many reject Christianity because of corrupt leaders, but God’s faithfulness is not tied to human failures.

They wanted to be like the nations.

God called Israel to be set apart (Exodus 19:6), but they craved worldly conformity.

Exodus 19:6 ESV

6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Key Lessons from Israel’s Demand

Many churches and Christians today compromise biblical values to blend in with the world.

They rejected God’s direct rule over them.

This wasn’t just a rejection of Samuel but of God’s divine kingship (v. 7).

Application:

Are we trusting God’s leadership in our lives, or demanding our own way?

Reflection Question: Where in our lives are we asking for something that takes the place of God’s authority?

II. God’s Warning Through Samuel (1 Samuel 8:6-18)

1 Samuel 8:6–18 ESV

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.” 10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. 11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of 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 orchards and give them to his servants. 15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

II. God’s Warning Through Samuel (1 Samuel 8:6-18)

Samuel prays, and God instructs him to warn the people about what having a king will truly mean.

The king will take their sons for war (v. 11).

The king will take their daughters for his service (v. 13).

The king will take their land, their servants, their best resources (vv. 14-16).

They will become his slaves (v. 17), and when they cry out, “The Lord will not answer you in that day” (v. 18).

Key Lessons from God’s Warning

Be careful what you ask for—it may come with consequences.

God sometimes gives people what they want, even when it’s not what they need.

Romans 1:24 ESV

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

Key Lessons from God’s Warning

Sometimes, God’s judgment is letting us have our way.

Worldly leadership often leads to oppression.

Israel wanted a king, but earthly rulers are flawed.

No human government, pastor, or leader should take the place of God’s leadership.

Rejecting God’s rule leads to regret.

The very thing Israel thought would bring security would actually bring bondage.

Many people today reject God’s ways for what seems easier, but later realize the cost.

Reflection Question: Have you ever insisted on your own way, only to regret it later?

III. Israel’s Stubborn Refusal (1 Samuel 8:19-22)

1 Samuel 8:19–21 ESV

19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 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.” 21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.

Despite Samuel’s warnings, Israel refuses to listen:

“No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations” (v. 19-20).

God tells Samuel: “Obey their voice and make them a king” (v. 22).

Key Lessons from Israel’s Stubbornness

People often choose what is visible over what is right.

Israel wanted a visible king, despite having the invisible King of the universe.

We, too, often trust what we can see more than God’s unseen hand.

Conforming to the world always comes at a spiritual cost.

They wanted to be like the nations, but they were called to be set apart.

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

God sometimes allows us to experience the weight of our choices.

God didn’t stop them but let them feel the consequences.

Many times, God allows us to experience the reality of choosing our way over His.

Reflection Question: What worldly influences are we tempted to follow, even when we know God’s way is better?

Are We Rejecting God’s Kingship in Our Lives?

Israel rejected God’s rule and wanted a human king. How do we do the same today?

When we trust worldly solutions over God’s wisdom.

When we crave human approval more than obedience to God.

When we trade holiness for cultural acceptance.

When we resist God’s leadership and demand our own way.

Challenge: Are we truly allowing God to reign over every part of our lives, or are we insisting on our own “king”?

Be Careful What You Ask For

In 1 Samuel 8, Israel got what they wanted—but lost what they needed. They exchanged God’s leadership for human rule, which ultimately led to oppression and regret.

Final Thought: We are all faced with this choice daily—will we trust God as our King, or will we demand our own way?

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Lord, help us to recognize when we are rejecting Your leadership in our lives. Teach us to trust You fully, rather than demanding our own way. Let us seek Your wisdom rather than the approval of the world. May You alone be our King. In Jesus’ name, Amen.