I Samuel 4-8

During this time period the Philistines were the biggest opposition to the Israelites, or were they? After losing in many battles against the ruthless Philistine army, something like 34,000 Israelite men and the ark of God's covenant was taken and set up in the temple of Dagon. Even after getting the ark back into the possession of God's people the Philistines still pressed on in warfare against Israel who cried out to God and to the prophet Samuel, after the LORD helped strengthen and deliver Israel there was peace with the Amorites and restoration of land from the Philistines. All might seem good on the surface but Israel complains to Samuel asking for a king instead of another judge, Samuels displeased response to this demand is a harsh truth and sad spiritual condition of the Israelites which the LORD calls out directly.

I Samuel 8:7-8 (NKJV) "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day -with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods - so they are doing to you also." 

This is a relationship issue and saddens the heart of God. God established a conditional covenantal love with His people, if they obey the covenantal law then there will be blessing, if they disobey then there will be curses and disaster will befall Israel. While Israel's demand for a king is not unexpected as it was prophesied by Moses in Deuteronomy 17. I think about what this means for us today, personally I know my prideful and selfish ambitious tendencies to operate apart from God. Our God reigns, I must submit humbly and not reject the LORD, this is a daily practice and battle that should not be refought but because of my fleshly tendencies I must surrender my will daily with a prayer of "LORD let your will be done in my heart, mind and deeds, not my will be done but yours O LORD God Almighty, I serve you alone - not my own selfish ambitions."

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