“The Kings”

Series: A Journey through the Old Testament [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

July 18, 2021

Introductory Comments:

Most of us here in America don’t know what it’s like to be led by an earthly king. In fact, our very founding as a nation was based on the fact that we didn’t want a king to rule us. However, many cultures and nations from the history of the world were not only used to being ruled by a monarch, but many of them wanted to be ruled by a monarch. 

That was the case for the people of Israel as well; they wanted to be ruled by a king. 

Today, in our journey through the Old Testament, we’ll learn about the period of Old Testament history called “The Kings.” [on screen]

Before we go any further, let’s pray together.

(prayer)

As we speak about the kings, there’s a lot to say that won’t be covered today. We’re not even going to name all of the kings, although there is a handout available that lists the kings, how long they were on the throne, and whether they were generally good or bad. 

Remember, we’re on a journey through the Old Testament, not a camping trip in the kings. So, thinking of the big story of the kings, let’s start with the . . .

I. Major elements [on screen]

1. As Samuel grew old, the people of Israel demanded a king. (1 Samuel 8:4-5) [on screen]

Samuel was a major figure in Israel who sort of served as the last judge and a prophet (we’ll talk more about the prophets in a different sermon). 

Towards, the end of Samuel’s days, the people wanted a new leader. 

Listen, to what the people said in 1 Samuel 8:4-5, “4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.’” (read in paper Bible)

Pay attention to the end of this passage. This is problem number one: the people said the reason they wanted a king is because they wanted to be the same as the other nations. 

Church, when we neglect what God wants for us so that we can have what we want for us, we have a problem. 

When we trade what God plans for us for what others think about us, we have a problem. 

When we find our identity in anything else, whether it’s the way we dress, how many “likes” we have on social media, how much money we make, who accepts us, or what kind of leader we have for our country, we have a problem. 

The people of Israel wanted a king so they could be like the other nations who surrounded them. 

Next, we learn that . . .

2. The demand for a human king was a rejection of God’s kingship. (1 Samuel 8:6-7)  [on screen]

Not only was the people’s motivation wrong in demanding a king, but they were outright rejecting God as their true king.

Listen to what God said about this in 1 Samuel 8:6-7, 7 But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected me as their king. 8 They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning me and worshiping other gods. (read in paper Bible)

Remember Gideon, one of the Judges? Gideon understood that the Lord was supposed to be their ruler, not an earthly king. Gideon spoke to this in Judges 8:23: “But Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.’”[on screen]

Isn’t this moment in 1 Samuel a sad moment? The Lord Himself makes clear that His people have rejected His leadership in their lives and in their land.

Church, may we never come to a place where we reject God’s leadership over us and His ways for us. He is the king who we need. 

However, God gave the people what they wanted; He gave them kings. Things started off fairly well for the kings:

3. The first three kings would rul