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I Samuel 8:19-21, But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “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.” When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 

Samuel is coming to the end of his life.  We read that he wants to appoint his sons to lead Israel but the people are opposed.  His sons, like Eli's sons before him, are more interested in getting rich than caring for the people.  It is a strange thing that we see throughout Scripture, some of the most faithful, strong leaders raise children who have no integrity. Are they too busy leading the people to lead their own families? That may need to be a discussion for another day.

In this situation, the people recognize the weaknesses of Samuel's sons and don't want to be led by them.  They request a king.  Samuel is distressed by this and goes to God.  God tells Samuel to warn the people what having a king will mean.  The king will force their sons to fight in wars and their daughters to work as domestic servants.  The king will tax them and take a portion of their crops and livestock.  But the people insisted.

From the earliest of days, God had been the one to direct Israel and choose its leaders. But now the people are demanding something else.  They think a human king will bring stability and safety, as well as a certain status among the nations around them.  And while God knew this was not what was best for Israel (the ideal way was for God to remain the one providing direct guidance and instruction to the people), he granted their request anyway.  God would now achieve his purposes in a new way, through a human king and all his frailties. 

God will achieve his purposes.

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, we thank you for the way you listen to us and have patience with us, even when what we do and request is so far off from what is ideal.  Guide us, Lord, direct us, and help us listen to you.  In Your Name, Amen.