CHOOSE YOUR KING

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

In 1 Samuel 8:5 it reads, "Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." After Samuel tried to get them to realize what it was they were asking for, the people became more insistent. “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; that we may also be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles” (v. 19-20). The people did not know what the consequences of their request would be at the time. God, after Israel rejected Him as their king, gave the people exactly what they wanted in Saul.

God had prophesied through Moses in Deuteronomy 17:14. He said, “When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt posses it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me." In Saul, the people had a king that was self‑serving and arrogant; one who would not hearken with all his heart to the commands of the Lord. The people saw the prosperity and success of the surrounding nations. They did not see that in God's eyes they were special and peculiar people. For this, they were set apart from all the nations. This desire for wanting to blend in would prove costly. Not only did the Israelites take on the kind of rule the other nations had; they also took on the worship of such nations. They also became self‑serving. One can see the same thing in N. T. times with the religious leaders of the day. In John 19:14 is found these words, “And He saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!” In verse 15 the Jews cried, “Away with him, crucify him. We have no king but Caesar.” Again, God’s people rejected Him as King.

Today not much has changed. Many in the denominational world have conformed to being like all the nations round about them. Much of the world has crept into those religious groups, e.g. raffles, fish and chicken dinners, bake sales, recreational activities, etc. They are teaching the people to live a full and abundant life by obtaining wealth and good health. Moreover, these religious groups are providing the means to do just that. There is hardly any concern for the spiritual man any more. Their appeal is to do and be all you can NOW. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and, and perfect, will of God.” Let us be numbered among those that will embrace Jesus as King.