Are You Sure You Want A King?

 Welcome to Faith Talk. I'm Reverend Jay Stuart Glover, and today we're diving into a thought-provoking topic inspired by a passage from the Old Testament: 1 Samuel 8. With all the recent discussions and debates about leadership and governance, this passage provides timeless insights that resonate with our contemporary context. Our episode today is entitled "Are You Sure You Want a King?"

In 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel ask the  prophet Samuel to appoint a king to lead them. They reasoned, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” Samuel was displeased and prays to the Lord, who responds, “It is not you they have rejected, but me they have rejected  as their king.”

God instructs Samuel to warn the people about the rights a king will claim. This phrase “ will claim as his rights” means that the newly elected king will feel as a though he has the freedom and the license to justify any and all of his actions. 

Samuel conveys this message, highlighting how a king will take their sons for his army, their daughters for his household, and the best of their resources for his use. In the ancient language of the scripture he said it like this: “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

Clearly, the foretelling about that character of this king was centered on  greed corruption, oppression and exploitation. 

 Despite these warnings, the people insist, “We want a king over us. 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.”

This passage is relevant to our experiences today. Samuel’s warnings about the potential abuse of power by a king serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of our leadership choices. 

In modern times, we face critical decisions in areas like environmental policies, global diplomacy, technological advancements, and the well-being of our citizens. Poor leadership choices can lead to long-term detriments.

Samuel’s warnings are a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in leadership. They echo concerns about authoritarianism, corruption, and the erosion of democratic principles. 1 Samuel 8 encourages us to reflect on the kind of leaders we choose and the structures we put in place to hold them accountable.

The Israelites’ rejection of God’s kingship in favor of a human king symbolizes how we often prioritize worldly solutions over spiritual or moral considerations. In a secular age, where authentic faith and spirituality might be marginalized, this chapter invites us to consider how true leadership should align with higher principles of justice, compassion, and humility.

1 Samuel 8 is more than a historical account; it’s a narrative that speaks to the core of our human experience. It challenges us to examine our desires, scrutinize our leaders, seek higher guidance, and consider the long-term consequences of our choices. These ancient lessons offer valuable wisdom and perspective, reminding us that questions of leadership, governance, and values are as relevant today as they were in Samuel’s time.

Thank you for joining us in this exploration of 1 Samuel 8. I hope this discussion has inspired you to reflect on the timeless truths within this chapter and their significance for our world today. I pray that you are inspired to be critically discerning as you cast your vote for leadership in any organization, and that includes government, and the church.

I'm Rev. Jay Stuart Glover, and you’ve been listening to Faith Talk. Please visit our website at www.revjaystuartglover.com to sign up for our mailing list, register to be a guest on an upcoming episode, and contact me directly via email. Thank you for being part of our global listening audience. These episodes are available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and other podcast platforms. I encourage you to share with family and friends. God bless you. Amen.