Chasing Donkeys

Chasing Donkeys

I Samuel 9: 1-10

I want to go back just a little to give you some history leading up to this scripture setting.

Most of us have studied at least a little about Israel’s humble beginnings, beginning with Abraham and going through to the circumstances of this scripture story.

We all recall how God so miraculously delivered the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt.

We recall how Jehovah God led them, protected them, sustained and provided for them.

He performed a miracle by opening up the Red Sea when the armies of Egypt was pursuing after them, and led them across on dry ground.

On and on we could go, talking about God’s great power in his leadership of His people.

We recall how Moses was Israel’s leader, under the authority of Jehovah God.

Then Moses died, and Joshua assumed the position of leadership for the Israelites.

After the death of Joshua God appointed judges delivering the people from the oppression of neighboring enemies and leading them in faithful obedience to the Lord.

Samuel was one of those judges.

In 1 Samuel chapter 8, the scripture tells us that Samuel had reached old age, not physically able to carry out the demanding duties of his office.

So Samuel appointed his two sons, Joel and Abiah to take his place.

But Joel and Abiah were not dedicated to the Lord like their father.

They were greedy, selfish and perverted judgment.

In other words, they were “crooked politicians” giving out unjust and misguided judgment.

They turned from the right course and distorted what was right, taking bribes from the people and making a complete mockery out of justice.

So the people became weary with this kind of leadership and thought it best that the order of judges be discontinued and instead have a king as other nations around them did.

Read 1 Samuel 8: 4-5

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Israel had prophets, priests, and judges, but God was their King.

They weren’t satisfied with God’s plan; they wanted to institute their own plan.

It’s funny how people think they know more than God! They think their plan is better than God’s plan.

They think their method is much better than God’s method.

Israel wanted a king to rule over them like other nations around them.

Samuel was displeased with their request.

Read 1 Samuel 8: 7-8

1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Evidently, Samuel took their request personally, and felt they were rejecting him.

However God said, they have not rejected you, they have rejected me that I should rule over them.

It’s not about you Samuel, It’s all about me!

So God tells Samuel, “Protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall rule over them.”

In other words, “Let them know the repercussions of having a king ruling over them.”

They really don’t have a clue what having a king is like.

Read 1 Samuel 8: 10-12

1Sa 8:10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.

11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

So are you sure you want a king?

Read 1 Samuel 8:13

1Sa 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

Are you sure you want a king?

Read 1 Samuel 8:14

1Sa 8:14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

Are you sure you want a king?

1Sa 8:15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.