We want a king to “judge us and go out before us and fight our battles” (8:20)! That’s what the ancient Israelites said, but they weren’t the only nation to have such a desire, were they? In the wake of disastrous civil wars, the citizens of the Roman Republic made Augustus their emperor to restore order. Because Adolf Hitler promised the citizens of the Weimar Republic that he would bring an end to hyperinflation and moral chaos, they elected him chancellor, and eventually followed him as their all-powerful Führer. And don’t many modern Americans look to politicians for the same kind of safety, security, and stability?

Well, what’s wrong with putting our faith in the state? First, and most importantly, it always involves a rejection of God (8:7). Remember, the Lord demands our exclusive trust and loyalty – we are to love Him with all we are and all we have (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). So, while there’s nothing wrong with electing officials to make and interpret and carry out the law, we must never fall into the trap of imagining that they can somehow solve all our problems. No, even the best of rulers are still sinful human beings, and are thus prone to make mistakes.

Worse yet, as Samuel describes in great detail in 8:11-18, rulers quite often use their authority for their own advantage instead of for the public good. They levy high taxes on the people (8:15, 17). They claim private property for public use (8:14). They draft people into their armies (8:11 and 12). As Lord Acton summarized so much of human history, “All power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

No, the wisest of leaders are those who give up power rather than selfishly grasping for more of it. And while we could point to the examples of Cincinnatus or Washington, the best example of all is, of course, Jesus. He laid aside all His divine privileges, taking on the form of a man, and then humbling Himself even further by going to the cross for a world full of unworthy sinners. That’s why the Father exalted Him and gave Him all power in heaven and on earth (Philippians 2:6-11).

So, I suppose we can go on trusting in the promises, plans and programs of ambitious, fallible politicians. Or we can seek to live according to the perfect humility, wisdom, and love of King Jesus. Which makes more sense to you?

I Samuel 7:15-8:22 (NASB)

15 Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
16 And he used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.
17 Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD.

8:1 And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.
2 Now the name of his first-born was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.
3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;
5 and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”
6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD.
7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.
8 “Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day– in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods– so they are doing to you also.
9 “Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.”
10 So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who had asked of him a king.
11 And he said, “This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots.
12 “And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
13 “He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers.
14 “And he will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.
15 “And he will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give to his officers and to his servants.
16 “He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys, and use them for his work.
17 “He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants.
18 “Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”
19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us,
20 that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
21 Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the LORD’s hearing.
22 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and appoint them a king.” So Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”