The King we need; 1 Sam 8

Kids talk.

Video: Son of Man video by Bible Project

Introduction

Ever been on the brink of making a really bad decision.

Ariel and I and the boys just watched Johnny English strikes back.

In it the president of Britain is distraught with all the internet attacks that are hitting her country’s intelligence agencies and causing such damage.

In her distress she turns to an internet security expert.

She sees him with rose coloured glasses, believing his promises that he will bring Britain safety, power and salvation.

However it would only bring her and her people slavery and death.

Johnny English knows this is a false saviour and steps in and saves the day.

The people of God here in are in a similar situation. They’re worried. They’re distraught. They want a quick solution. They want a new solution.

This new threat may have been unlike the previous ones.

In chapter 12 we’re told that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites was moving against them.

And it’s this threat

This Nahash, which is the Hebrew Word for serpent, used in for the devil.

Nahash is causing them to be seduced into going ahead with signing this proposal.

What are the things in your life that are making you anxious?

What are the things in our nation’s life causing us to worry?

What are the things in our world causing you to be unsettled?

What are the things you’re turning to for solutions?

A close friend and a close family member are days from dying at present, both showing no fruit of faith in Christ.

Where do we turn?

A new threat in your marriage relationship, something threatening to tear your family apart, your job.

Nahash.

The fact of our lives and the fact of the lives of the people of God here is that we need a king. We need someone to fight for us against enemies that are too strong for us.

Sin is this beast inside of us that is constantly seeking to devour us. To control us. To rule us.

Satan is this beast outside of us who is constantly seeking to devour us. To control us. To rule us.

We have these dual enemies that have proven time and time again to outwit us and be too strong for us.

Point 1

We need a king to fight for us!

Our enemies are too great for us!

We not only need a divine king, but we need a human king.

We were made by God to rule.

When things are uncertain, our natural instinct is to get anxious

To take things into our own hands.

Not to wait on God. Not to turn to God.

We don’t want to miss out on being like everyone else.

But what happens is we miss out on seeing the miraculous happen.

Up to this point God had been the one leading them.

Protecting them

Fighting for them.

In Chapter 5 the ark of God is captured by the Philistines and lets read what happens while it’s there:

2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.

6 The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumours...

11 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. 12 Those who did not die were afflicted with tumours, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

while it’s there, the gods of the Philistines get miraculously knocked to the ground and their heads fall off. God fights for his people while they’re not even there.

Then in chapter 7 God again defeats the Philistines single handedly.

7:10

10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.

What’s the point: God’s people don’t need a king like the other nations. They’ve got God!

Their job was to trust him.

To wait on him to act.

When they did this, without fail, he did.

So now that they’re asking for a human to do this, what are they doing?

They’re rejecting God and his help!

V1-8

8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders.

Now right here, some red flags come up. Judges were only ever chosen by God. Why does Samuel choose his own sons instead of letting God choose? It’s a picture of what’s going to happen.

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.

There is great danger in choosing leaders based on birthright. Leaders are recognised and then given power. Not given power before their recognised as leaders.

And this is how the kings of the other nations were chosen, and how the kings of Israel would be chosen.

Danger!

Danger!

Danger!

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 us, such as all the other nations have.”

We don’t want your sons. We want someone else to lead. But instead of correcting Samuel, they follow his error and want someone of their own choosing.

What do they want the king to be like?

Like the other nations!

That’s the issue.

It’s not wrong to want to good leadership!

The issue is wanted leaders like the rest of the world.

As we’ll see, worldly leaders take, but God’s leader gives.

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.

When we take control, we often get it wrong.

Of course we make the best decision we can.

But it’s human wisdom isn’t it. There’s so many elements that we’re not aware of. There’s so many unknowns.

In asking for a human king like the other nations to lead and fight for them, they’re rejecting God as king.

Ever seen those night vision goggles that the special armed forces use.

Amazing aren’t they.

In the middle of pitch black they can see everything.

What kind of advantage do they have over their enemies?

Instead of firing at random, making decisions based extremely limited vision, their able to see everything.

Asking for a king like the other nations is effectively saying, we’d rather fight without night vision goggles. Let’s fight our enemies on their level.

Point 2

Worldly kings aren’t good for us!

Who do you want to lead you?

In your life, want are you wanting from your king, whoever that is?

Rejecting God’s choice of a king in favour of a king like the other nations has disastrous consequences.

V9-18

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:

A worldly king says, “Sure I’ll rule over you, but you gotta pay up.” How do you expect me to provide food for you, protect you from enemies, if you don’t give me stuff?

God’s not like that. He’s got the power to give protection and provision without taking from us. Listen to these verses and the repetition of the word take.

12 He will take your sons...

13 He will take your daughters...

14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves...

15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage...

16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.

17 He will take a tenth of your flocks.

When we trust in kings that can’t defeat our enemies, we’re disappointed, because they prove to be unable to save us. They often try their best, but they can’t. And because their fighting way above their weight category, they take from us. They can’t give, so they take.

They have to because of their weakness and insecurity.

And from this place of insecurity, and the realisation of their weakness, they deceive us into thinking that if we keep giving to them, they’ll get enough power to save us.

God wants a king to rule us who will give, not take. Who will serve not need our service.

He wants freedom for us.

Not slavery.

Any substitute for God will always let us down.

What do you look to or beg to lead you, comfort you, bring you security and joy?

Is it wealth?

Those who have made money king will tell you it takes more than it gives.

After you’ve spent your life serving wealth it doesn’t give you any of it when death comes.

It can’t ive you security against sickness.

Against depression

Against loneliness

Against death.

This the nature of any created thing or person that we choose or allow to reign over us.

They take

They take

They take

If they are gonna give anything close to what you’re wanting from them, it’s gonna cost you!

You’ll be that person or things slave!

We’re the only ones who suffer.

Putting our hopes in a human king of our choosing over God as king.

It’s just a bad choice.

It leaves us being robbed and in slavery, rather than full and free.

V17; 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.”

It’s not looking good for them is it?

Have you been warned before about a decision that you knew was wrong but went ahead and did it anyway?

These can be big decision like marrying an unbeliever, to smaller decisions like lying to cover up something you’ve done wrong. You’ll become a slave. No surely not. This is good for me. It’s the only solution.

If you’re currently in the process of making a decision or have made one that you’ve now been convicted was the wrong one, is there any good news, or is it all bad?

Point 3

There is good news, because despite our rejection, lack of trust, God remains faithful.

He’s gracious, gives us what we don’t deserve.

He acts for our good.

V 9 & 22

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.”

22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Even in our rejection, God is seeking our good. He doesn’t say,

“Fine, you reject me, I reject you.”

He’s got a plan to give them a king of his choosing, a true leader, who will give and not take.

Listen to the encouragement that Samuel gives them in 12:20-26;

20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own...24consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

These people get Saul, a king like the other nations, who’s obsessed with power and takes from the people. But God chooses a king unlike the other nations; David. He relies on God, and as he does, he is able to give to the people, not take.

In God makes a promise

8 “Tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. My love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Who is David’s descendent?

He’s the King he was chosen by God but rejected by men.

He’s the King who came not riding proudly on a white stallion into Jerusalem, but humbly on a donkey.

He’s the King who didn’t destroy the wicked, but was destroyed by the wicked in order to destroy Nahash, to destroy sin, to destroy death.

He’s the King who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

He meets the deepest longings of our hearts that we don’t know how to meet.

He fights our battles

He defeats our enemies

He gives not takes.

Despite our rejection and failure to listen and trust his word, he remains gracious.

He can use our disastrous decisions as the means of accomplishing his perfect plans.

Think of Joseph and his brothers. What you intended for evil, God has worked for good.

Look at Jesus and the cross. You did this great evil, which God has used for the salvation of the world.

Think of you and your situation. You and I have done these great evils, but God is using them for his good.

Conclusion

So remember God’s goodness, the great things he has done. Trust him who gave you his Son. Trust the Son who gave you his life, to give you his Spirit and give you eternal life. You can trust him.

Jesus is the king we so desperately need. The king we deep down long for.

If you’ve been rejecting Jesus, don’t be afraid.

Yes, what you’ve done is unthinkable, but don’t continue turning away from him.

Jesus will not abandon you.

Why?

Because of his great name and because he is determined to make you his own.