“That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:20 KJV)
This chapter in Samuel begins with admitting that there is something wrong with the new judges. They are corrupt. Interestingly enough, the people do not come to Samuel to straighten these judges out, but come looking for a new system. The people have seen corruption before with the last guy (Eli’s sons), and they have likely had enough. Mismanagement does something to people. It makes them willing to make big changes to resolve otherwise small problems. Something about reinventing the wheel with each flat tire. For what it’s worth, Samuel brings the people’s request to God and God doesn’t immediately address the issue of Samuel’s sons, but addresses the deeper issue of what the people have requested.
So, what are the people asking for when they want a king to judge, go out before us, and to fight our battles? Forget for a brief second that God already did this for them, and it is a clear rejection of him. They want the state. One of the easiest ways to please people in the face of a perceived issue is to get the state to handle it. It doesn’t matter if it’s discrimination, poverty, environmental issues, or plain old military security; people can easily be talked into letting the state handle it. Nevermind the long list of failures that countless states have had; this will be our state and it will be better. So, despite Samuel’s warnings, which do come true in time, they want the state to handle these things. The real benefit of going with the state is that you don’t have to trust anymore. You might be slaves for the rest of your life, but you just roll with it, follow orders, and do what you can. You’ve successfully drained the need for trust.
This isn’t over yet though. The newly appointed king later in 1 Samuel 17 draws a battle line and their enemy brings out a giant named Goliath. And a little shepherd boy named David says something very interesting. “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47 KJV) Wow! “… The Lord saveth…” and “… The battle is the Lord’s…” and “… He will give you into our hands.” Right in front of the state! Just as much in Israel’s ears as the Philistines. It doesn’t take long to see how God has always seen a heart after the Lord that is overflowing with trust in him. Now who’s dynasty is going to be established in time, with patient endurance over the long run?
“And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.” (1 Samuel 17:55, KJV)