Focal Passages: 1 Samuel
8:6-9; 12:13-25
We are presented with
choices every day of our lives. Some choices are so minor that they really make
no overall difference in our lives. Other choices can have a major impact not
only on our life but also the lives of our families, friends, and even our
entire country.
For a number of years, my
wife and I worked as weekend house parents for a Christian maternity home for
unwed women. Initially, this was an eye-opener for me.
Many of the girls were in
their teenage years who had made irresponsible choices, but their final choice
to keep their child showed maturity beyond their years.
What started with a very bad
choice because “everyone else was doing it” ended for many of them with an
eternity-changing event.
Many of the young women become believers in Christ
during their stay. Our Bible study for this week again focuses on Samuel who is
now an older man.
The people of Israel begin
to clamor that they want a king to lead them, so that they can be just like
everyone else around them.
Samuel was hurt that the
people wanted new leadership after he had been providing a strong spiritual
example to them for so many years.
Samuel thinks to himself
that this request is sinful on the part of the Israelites but he decides to
pray to God for guidance regarding the Israelites’ request.
God reaffirms Samuel
explaining that the people are not against Samuel, but they are actually
rebelling against God.
Since Samuel speaks for God,
Samuel is slowly being pushed to the side too. Samuel warns the people about
their request for a king and cautions that there will be some very serious
consequences as a result of having kings.
God does grant their request
and gives them Saul to become their first king, but Samuel does not just leave
their poor choice alone. He emphasizes to the people that they need to continue
to fear the Lord and obey Him. If the people continue down their current path
and disobey the Lord and rebel against His commands, then the nation will reap
some serious consequences.
This study stresses a number
of things for us in our daily lives:
- Choices in life always
carry consequences (good or bad). - God wants us to trust in
Him, and He will guide us to make correct choices. - Just because “everyone
else is doing it” does not necessarily mean it is a good choice to follow
them. - Even if we do make poor
choices, God is still in control and is waiting for us to turn back to Him.