The Request for a King
Today’s Bible Study April 10, 2012
“Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer” (1 Samuel 8:7).
Path of the Ark:
To Find (look for):
How old is Eli and how would you characterize his health (1 Samuel 4:14, 18)?
What happened today to the Ark (1 Samuel 5:1-2)?
To Mind (key point): Today we see the Ark being taken by the Philistines to various cities and placed inside a pagan temple beside the god Dagon. To their surprise, Dagon is found tipped over and on another occasion without hands or a head! Clearly the God of Israel is stronger than the god of the Philistines!
To Bind (apply to our lives): Israel has victory over the Philistines throughout Samuel’s lifetime as God’s powerful hand was raised against them (I Samuel 7:13). The reference to God’s “mighty hand” means a sure and finished work by God at that point in time. Where can you see God’s “mighty hand” at work in your life?
The Ark is returned to Israel and the people express their desire for a king, to which God tells Samuel to grant their request. Ultimately it is God the people are rejecting (1 Samuel 8:7). Samuel complies and warns against a kingdom. Tomorrow we will talk more about the monarchy and the spiritual significance of their request for a king.
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