1 Samuel chronicles Israel’s transition from judges to kings. Samuel, whom the book is named after, was the twelfth and last judge of Israel. Each judge was from one of the twelve tribes that comprised Israel, chosen by God, and tasked with protecting His people and enforcing His laws. The judges were far from perfect—as humans, they sinned and ruled sinful people—but in keeping God’s vision for His people at the forefront, the Israelites prospered more than surrounding nations, which were ruled by kingships and worshipped other gods.
Israel’s successful periods followed a pattern. When judges ruled, Israel thrived, but when one died, the nation would gradually begin adopting the beliefs of nearby nations. The country would fall into sin, despair, and corruption until the people cried out to God, at which time He’d rescue His people and elect another judge.
No matter how many times God rushed to rescue them, the people forgot His mercy and rejected Him. And no matter how many times God was rejected by His people, He still rushed to their aid the moment they asked. There’s so much here to speak on about love—true love. Faithful, steadfast, relentless love. Because even when the Israelites left Him, He never abandoned them. Can you imagine His heart as Israel’s Father, the way He must have ached to ease the pain His children brought upon themselves and were determined to face alone?
When God created mankind, He granted us free will, because there’s no true relationship, no true worship, and no true love without choice. Free choice led to sin, but isn’t the love it allowed worth the negative consequences humans created? Because sin and the pain that arises from it is inevitable, but the Lord’s love is inescapable. No matter what we face, He is with us. He comforts us in affliction (2 Corinthians 1:4), provides for us (Psalm 23), and never stops loving us (Romans 8:38-39). God steadfastly loved the Israelites even when they disregarded His faithfulness, even when they chose idols over their Father.
Israel made an idol of being like other nations, and that idol ended Israel’s era of judges. Samuel, the last judge, was truly a man of God. He sought the Lord’s counsel in all things are remained close to him throughout his life. When Samuel grew old, though, the Israelites requested a king instead of another judge. 1 Samuel 8:5 says, “[The people of Israel] said to [Samuel], ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.’”
The first sentence of this request could be interpreted as the Israelites subverting injustice, but the final part reveals the heart behind their ask. Once again, the Israelites wanted to be like other nations instead of embracing their identity as the Lord’s chosen people. Samuel, grieved by his people’s words, sought the Lord’s wisdom. This was His response:
But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king. They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods. Listen to them, but solemnly warn them and tell them about the customary rights of the king who will reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7-9)
Even in this moment of betrayal, the Lord thought of His people. He shared His own pain only to comfort Samuel and ensured the Israelites fully understood the potential consequences of their choice. You see, Israel had two choices ahead of them: to be ruled by their King or their king. Both kings would have ultimate authority, but only One guaranteed a just Ruler.
Israel chose to have a king, a man named Saul who seemed perfect for the role. Saul’s kingship began with humility and justice on behalf of the Lord, but Saul soon began to disobey God’s commandments out of impatience and a desire for earthly rewards. Saul began focusing on how he could get himself out of hardships in ways that would glorify him instead of seeking humility and following God’s will.
The Lord could have left His people there, living under an increasingly self-centered king, but He isn’t like any other god. The God of Israel had a plan for His people, one that involved an unlikely candidate, abundant faith, and a testament to the importance of community with other believers. His people may have rejected Him, but what followed is a testament to God’s perfect, compassionate, everlasting love.