A sad commentary concerning Samuel’s two sons, “They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.”Sounds a bit like some of our leaders today, doesn’t it?

In Samuel's day, the people wanted a king. Now, at first this request sounded like a good thing. They said they didn't want Samuel's ungodly sons leading them. God warned them that they wouldn’t like having a king. But did they listen? Of course not! They wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted to be like the world. The people were rejecting any spiritual leader. They wanted God out of their lives. God let them exercise their free will just as He does us now. He warned them just as He warns us. The connections with ancient Israel and current events is spelled out in an amazing book, The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. We highly recommend it!

If you read about all the warnings spelled out in 1 Samuel 8:10-18, you will see just how many comparisons there are to be made to today's governments.

Here's their reasoning as to why they wanted a king:
“Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
What a stupid statement! Why do they need a king to fight their battles? THEY HAD THE LORD!!!

Many people were introduced to Saul as he searched around looking for his father's donkeys (the "pick-up truck" of the day).  Were they impressed by him?

Saul's lack of knowledge about Samuel seems to display his ignorance of spiritual matters.

Interesting that Saul used the same lame excuse that Gideon used, that he was of the least of all the clans of the tiny tribe of Benjamin. Also interesting that Saul/Paul of the New Testament was from the tribe of Benjamin. They both had a “change of heart”.

When Saul hid among the baggage was he displaying his fear of the great responsibility that Samuel had given him and was worried about his inadequacies?

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!”Another great lesson for us today. We just need to stand still, trust Him, and watch what He does. 

In Samuel's farewell address he reminds the people of their sins, including the sin of asking for a king.  Then the people acknowledge that sin but even though they knew it was wrong to ask for a king they still wanted a king.  They should have rejected Saul and placed the Lord in His rightful place!  We as Believers in Jesus may know it's wrong to do certain things and yet we do them anyway.  It's hard to break away from the traditions of men.

Can we sin against the Lord by failing to pray for people? Samuel thought so.
1 Sam 12:23
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.

“…consider what great things he has done for you.”
What a great verse to contemplate!