3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned asideafter dishonest gain and accepted bribes and pervertedjustice.
3 But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They acceptedbribes and perverted justice. - P42
5 They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do notfollowyour ways; now appoint a king to lead us, suchas all the other nations have." - P42
7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the peopleare saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, butthey have rejected me as their king.
8 As they have done from the day I brought them up outof Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving othergods, so they are doing to you.
- P43
9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and letthem know what the king who will reign over them willclaim as his rights." - P43
When Samuel is old, he appoints his sons as Israel‘s leaders. But his sons do notfollow his ways-they accept bribes and
pervert justice. - P43
The elders of Israelcomplain to Samuel about his sons and ask him to appoint a king. Samuel isdispleased, so he prays to the Lord. - P43
The Lord says the people have rejectedHim as their king, but He tells Samuel to listen to them. - P43
Dear Jesus, forgive us for the times we refuse to listen to you and obey You eventhough You are our King. - P45
Give us hearts that are quick to accept Your words andobey them. In Your name, amen. - P45
18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief fromthe king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answeryou in that day."
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!"
they said. "We want a king over us. - P47
22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give thema king." Then Samuel said to the Israelites, "Everyone go back to your own town."
22 and the LORD replied, "Do as they say, and give them a king." Then Samuel agreedand sent the people home. - P47
Samuel tells the people that the king will take their sons and daughters as hisservants. He will also take a portion of the people‘s harvest, their best servantsand livestock, and the people will become his slaves. - P47
Still, the people refuse tolisten to Samuel and insist on having a king like other nations. God tells Samuelto listen to the people and give them a king. - P47
Like a wise and concerned father, the Lord warns the Israelites aboutwhat they are getting themselves into by demanding a king. - P48
As theirruler, the king will form a military, recruit servants, impose taxes, andmake the people serve him. In short, he will build an earthly kingdom,
just like all the kings of other nations have done. - P48
Even though we, asbelievers, recognize the need for structures of power in society, we mustalso be sober-minded about the fact that all earthly systems are flawed, for they are run
by flawed, self-serving people. - P48
Our desire for a perfectleader will never be fulfilled by a sinful human being. - P48
Only Jesus Christ is the perfect King who
is worthy of total obedience. - P48
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