We Want a King

They said to him, "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." (1 Samuel 8:5 NIV)

It may seem strage to us today to think about searching for God as a King.  Unless we live in England or another nation that has a king, we don’t even understand the concept.  In the United States, we live in a land ruled by a Democracy or Republic, depending on which part of the process draws our focus.  We don’t really think that we, like the Israelites, would want a King.

But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. (1 Samuel 8:6 NIV)

But, in reality, we have a lot in common with the Israelites of that day.  We look for someone to lead us – someone to inspire us.  We want someone who will pull the best out of us and drive us to be more than we are without leadership.  We seem to have a desire deep within us for this.  Even leaders seem to want a leader worth following.  We want a King.

And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. (1 Samuel 8:7-8 NIV)

The problem is that the God-given desire to follow a King can only be fulfilled by the One True King.  That open spot in our allegiance is reserved for God.  When we give it to anyone or anything else, the desire is not fulfilled.  We want a King, but we do not find Him.


So, how about you?  Do you desire a leader whom you can trust, who can inspire you to be your best you?  Do you look for a leader who has integrity, who you can count on, and who has your best interest in mind?  Do you want a King?