Journal Through the Bible: Week 37 Saturday

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I Samuel 7:1-8:22

A few weeks ago Pastor Dad said in a sermon that Samuel made a grievous error when he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. This was something that only God had done previously and even then only in response to the need for deliverance following a time of repentence. Judgeship was not intended to be passed down through family lines like the dynasty of a monarchy. The people were wrong to petition God and Samuel for a king but Samuel had added to the reasons for the request when he appointed his prejudicial sons to a judicial office.

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Samuel to grant the peoples' petition for a king because they had not primarily rejected Samuel but God Himself. If they had a grievance against Samuel's sons they should have petitioned God for relief and God would have dealt with the miscreants. God is their King but they had rejected Him and requested that they be like all the other nations.
• God told Samuel to tell the people of the heavy taxation and work required by a monarch's government.

Does God make any promises?

• God fulfilled His promise to fight for Israel if they would turn from idolatry and follow Him.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• As the judge of Israel, Samuel was a type of Christ.
• Jesus is the King of Israel. They rejected Him in the days of Samuel, too.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.