At the end of Samuel's career he does what every proud father want to do: he appoints his two sons to succeed him in the same job. But the character of the two men quickly becomes clear - they are swayed by money and show that they are corrupt judges.
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People - even sinful people - know when their judges are crooked. Samuel's sons failed the test - and the elders come to Samuel and say: we want a king.
There is a lot here to unpack, but we will just look at two aspects of the story: Samuel's reaction and God's to the demand for a king.
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Samuel's reaction
How do you feel when someone does not appreciate you or your work? Are you hurt? Samuel was. He does not contest the failure of his sons. But when God talks to him God tells him that it is not Samuel the people have rejected but God. Having served all his life as a judge and priest - to have heard from the people that we do not want another judge but a king must have been taken as a slap in the face for Samuel.
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But look what Samuel does.
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He talks to God. The Bible said: "this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord."
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How many of our problems could be nipped in the bud if we followed this example. Samuel speaks to God and tells Him what is on his heart. And while talking to God he is able to listen to what God tells him. How much we need to be in this place. Listening. Hearing. Allowing God to speak to us. Allowing Him to give us consel and comfort.
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God frames the picture for Samuel. Its not about Samuel after all. Its all about the people's relationship with Him. These are good friends talking to each other. A lifetime of talking to God for Samuel. A lifetime that you and I can also enjoy - if we choose to.
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God's reaction
Look at the great patience God has. Samuel has just finished an exemplary life of service. The Israelites have experienced God's power in their lives. But instead of turning to God and reaffirming their allegiance to Him as the one true God, we see that they have their eyes fixed on the nations around them.
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The solution to all their problems - according to the Israelites - was to have a physical king. Note the fantasy element here. They say that they want a king "to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles" (v 20). How totally opposite to real kings. Its the young men of the people who are drafted into the army and herded off to fight the battles for the kings. Its the blood of the young who pave the way for the king's power time and time again.
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Samuel speaks from God and tells the people what the kings will do. They will take the hard earned produce of the people for themselves. They will conscript their sons into the army and into labour, their daughters to make pastries and other luxuries for the king and his court. They will live off the fat of the land and the sweat of the people's brows.
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But the people are dead set on having their fantasy. They reject God's kingship over them. A kingship that sets Israel apart from all the nations - in favour of the dominant model of a human king and a royal family.
God could have rejected his people, but He tells Samuel to listen to the people and give them their wish. God's plan already has laid the foundations for a royal kingship - for a representation of a regent who will rule as God's chosen one.
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This is the humility and greatness of God. He allows the fickle foolish demands of the people to be a vehicle for His wonderful plan of salvation for all people.
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Many years later and from the royal line of David - of Judah (fulfilling the prophecy in Gen. 49.10) comes the Saviour - Christ the Lord - King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
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