Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 7:1-17, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Proverbs 1:29-33, Hebrews 1:1-3
In 1 Samuel 8, we find Israel rejecting their God, the One who rescued them from slavery, provided for them in the desert, and gave them victory over their enemies.
Israel instead demanded a king who would judge them, go before them, and fight their battles (1 Samuel 8:20). Ironically, the King they rejected was the only king to fulfill this request. God had already been their Judge (Deuteronomy 32:36), gone out before them (Exodus 13:21), and fought their battles (Exodus 14:14).
But they wanted a king “the same as all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). So they rejected their true King, the God of heaven and earth. God granted their request and gave them over to their desires, but not without a warning. He promised to give them a king like all the other nations. He would give them one who was selfish, oppressive, and ruthless. They didn’t heed His warning.
I want to be like everyone else, too. I want to look like everyone else, to be both beautiful and adorable, and so I make my appearance king. Then I find myself overcome by my obsessive eating habits and exercise routine. Turns out that king won’t provide what I need.
I want to have what everyone else has, to feel important and sophisticated, and so I make my possessions king. I spend my time, money, and energy, filling my closet with pretty new dresses. But I’ll never have enough because this king demands more and more and more.
I could go on, and I’m sure you could, too.
Our individual kings demand more from us than we’d ever be willing to give. They lie and tell us that if we could have what the world has, we would have freedom.
Second Peter 2:19 warns against this:
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.”
This is what happens when we, like Israel, fall prey to the desire of being like everyone else. Instead of gaining freedom, we become slaves of corruption. When we turn from the wisdom of the Lord and His ways, we “will eat the fruit of [our] way” (Proverbs 1:29-33). In our efforts to be like the world, we miss out on what we truly need: freedom that can only come from submitting ourselves to the true King, Jesus Christ.
But God is rich in mercy. He pursues us and draws us to Himself until we long for Him again (1 Samuel 7:2,6). He even works through our rebellion, just as He did with Israel, providing what is truly best for us. God would later appoint David as king over Israel, and through his family, provide the true King in Jesus Christ. He is the One who ultimately goes before us and fights our battles (Revelation 19:11-16). He is all we need, and only in submitting to Him as King will we find freedom instead of slavery (Luke 4:18).
“They have not rejected you; they have rejected me as their king.”
It’s interesting because they make this request in a season of plenty with the Philistines subdued, peace with the Amorites, restored territories, etc. I understand that Samuel’s sons were corrupt but look at all the Lord had done and they still reject Him as their King.
More. More. More. In our sinful human nature, we always want more. We are never satisfied when we pursue our idols. The Israelites were not satisfied with the victories and gifts from the Lord.
It’s disheartening to read those words from God because I know he has said them about me. She has rejected me as her king. I have given her plenty and she still pursues more. This is sobering and convicting. I want to experience true freedom because I choose my Savior over the dissolving things of this world. May He reign as King in my heart!
This hit home! Thank you for your post some 3 years ago Jess. I love (or rather cringe) when you wrote what God clearly thinks of me “she rejected Me as her King. I gave her plenty and she still pursues more.” What a sobering thought and reminder for me to look into my self and see the kings in my life. May He reign as King in my heart as well!
Lately I have been overwhelmed by the amount of corruption in the world. In particular, regarding human trafficking and sexual abuse. I work with a nonprofit that helps girls in Africa receive an education, and I love the work we do.
Part of my work is staying on top of world news related to girls and women. I am often sickened by the stories I read and what I hear. But despite all this sin in the world, and the sin in my own life, God reigns. God is still our KING, and He is in control. I needed to read this passage today and be reminded of His sovereignty. Because our God reigns there is hope, and our world will be eventually set right by Him. I am thankful I can turn to Him and find hope. I might not be able to solve the world’s problems, but I can make a difference where God has placed me, and that is something to be thankful for. ❤️
What non-profit do you work for? I would love to connect to something like that.
And thank you for your interest!
Amen. I just saw the movie Wonder Woman yesterday, and this devo kind of reminds me of it…there was this part in the movie where Wonder Woman was begging her friends to let her fight and save the people from the German fire. Up until this point, she had heard consistent “No”s from the men. But in that moment she chose to do what she thought and knew was right, instead of blending in with everyone else and ignoring the situation. Choosing Jesus is not the popular opinion. But with Him, our battles will be won, since we have freedom and strength in Christ. We can trust that what He says is right and true, despite the many voices that surround us telling us “No”. In surrending our lives to His will, it won’t matter what the world says, because we know that God’s plan is good. He will fight our battles. We will train our hearts and minds so that no matter what comes our way, we have the ultimate Fighter who will slay our giants. So awesome (and also definitely recommend you all see Wonder Woman, it was SO GOOD. I read a blog post on how it portrayed Biblical womanhood, and I think it definitely did…made me feel strong in the Lord, like I could take on anything! )
I loved Wonder Woman too! I was so encouraged seeing a male and female working together as team and mutually supporting each other’s gifts in order to fight evil!
Totally agree with you about Wonder Woman! :D
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.” – 2 Peter 2:19
Wow. What a powerful statement.
Lately, I have been struggling with God- it’s been hard truly submitting my life to him and trusting in his goodness even when I see my dreams shatter and feel the pain of uncertainty. Today’s devotion was so beautifully focused- I realize now I’ve been placing other ‘kings’ ahead of my Gracious Father. Kings that have truly defeated me and have enslaved my spirited. But praise God- these chains can be broken by running back to the open arms of Jesus!
I’ve been enslaved by fear.
I’ve been enslaved by how people perceive me.
I’ve been enslaved by doubt.
I’ve been enslaved by selfish ambition.
“But God is rich in mercy.” How sweet it is to lay it all out before him and honestly share with him my fears and failures. How comforting is it to know he hears my prayers and comes along beside me!
Sisters, I don’t know what you struggle with this morning- if you have been defeated or enslaved or just feel forgotten. But the contrast to this verse in 2 Peter is the promise of freedom we find all throughout the New Testament (Galatians 5:13). This freedom is meant for US, and is the very essence of what we were created for. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”- Galatians 5:1 ESV
If you feel stuck or captive to your sins, your addictions, your past or failures- write these verses down. It’s okay to pour out the ugly parts of yourself – the secrets you hold tight- to the very One who created you. There is freedom for you today!
Growing up I remember being annoyed with my Mom because she would say, “well I don’t want to be like everyone else, I want to be what God sets me apart to be” I was a head strong teen and these arguments usually were about something minor. Not about what I was leaving the house dressed in or boyfriends, make up etc. My parents were strict but not smothering. They gave me freedom to make choices and I wanted to please them and God and I knew it was the best thing so I was obedient. I remember her saying this because I would say “why don’t we have video games, VCRs, cable tv like everyone else?” She didn’t think they were evil or something like that, she just thought they complicated life and I didn’t agree then but oh how she was right. Look at all of us now, with all this technology. Yes too complicated sometimes and I know sometimes it has become my king and even as I type this and love this wonderful online study, I know I need to make more of an effort to be quiet and alone with God. Worship Him like a real King.
As a youth pastor’s wife, I kept thinking of our students in reading this. How often I feel like I am failing them because numbers are low, or some other number of reasons. Samuel probably felt a little like a failure in this moment, too. I believe God was trying to send comfort to Samuel when He said they were rejecting God, not Samuel. In that peace, is also a command to continue seeking God- not conforming to wanting to be like everyone else, but seeking after and teaching the ways of the Lord to bring others closer to Him.
I also wondered how often I reject sound counsel because I get so stubborn in my ways. I pray to be like Samuel, seeking after God FIRST when I see something wrong, and listening to Him as well as the sound advice brought to me by my brothers and sisters.
The tenderness of God comforting Samuel in this way is such a beautiful image. Thank you.
What is it with these children?! First Eli’s sons were bad and now Samuel’s sons. On top of that the respective fathers did not change them. I cannot believe the parents sat as complacent as it sounds. As a mother with adult children not always living with choices I would like I understand how this can play out. I also know to NEVER judge one’s parenting style unless you want to be judged for yours! How interesting that Eli’s children’s behavior resulted in Samuel’s position and then Samuel’s children’s behavior results in the one true King. God’s big picture plan!
Sarah, I am not a parent, but I see in my parents the deep desire for their adult children to live as a child of God. In the case of Eli’s and Samuel’s sons, it looks like they did not want the identity of honor that was their inheritance. They sought control over their situation and used manipulation to get it. As a result, they did not experience the fruits of freedom that came with the status and duties of representing God’s glory. It is heartbreaking that they chose a limited identity as opposed to a full expression of who God has made his creation to be. However, we also see that Eli and Samuel were heartbroken too. Eli, for example did not debate the Lord about the consequences of the choices his Sons made. Instead he accepted the consequences himself, even when he did not deserve it. He knew his sons had messed up, but he trusted God’s big plan. Eli realized that it was not his own responsibility to rebuke his sons. The consequence comes automatically, and that consequence is separation from the Heavenly Father and frustration from not living as God designed for his people. Eli realized that his sons were the Lord’s from the beginning, and God was working his plan. Eli could not choose God for his sons. His sons had to take that responsibility to chose God. I am inspired with you as well that God worked the rebellion of Eli and Samuel’s sons as a part of His big plan! I hope looking at Eli and his sons with this perspective allows for some peace as a parent.
This is so true! Comparison is truly the killer of joy and peace. SO much effort is put into trying to be and look like others that we lose ourselves in the process. Those things (physical appearance, academics, personality, etc.), they all become kings in our life. So much so, that we don’t leave room for THE KING. The one and only Savior who loves us just the way we are and has already won and IS victorious now and forever. Thank you Jesus for being the one true King. Thank you loving me despite me sinnin against you. Amen!