THE EVER-GRACIOUS GOD

It was never God’s intention that the people of Israel would have a king. The leaders God had appointed had not wielded king-like power.

When the people came to the aging Samuel, who had served as a priest, prophet, and judge, and asked him to “appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (1 Samuel 8:5), both Samuel and God were offended. But it was God who claimed the greater anger. He assured Samuel that “it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7). Samuel warned them about what they were doing and predicted the dangers that a king would bring—all of which were fulfilled within three generations.

Nonetheless, acceding to their request and with God’s guidance, Samuel appointed Saul as the first king of Israel and then gave a farewell speech to the people of Israel. He recounted his lifelong service for the people and how God had led them over centuries, urging them to continue to follow and obey even with a newly installed king.

It was a speech punctuated by thunder and a rainstorm—and the people got the point, crying out in fear and asking Samuel to pray for them.

Samuel reminded them that God had always been gracious to them and that He would continue to be gracious, even when their unfaithfulness brought consequences.

And Samuel took this same gracious responsibility on himself: “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:23, 24).