And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel. “His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.” Read 1 Samuel 1:3 (NASB). Israel rose up to demand a king because they saw corrupt practices carried out by Joel and Abijah. The elders of Israel went further and demanded again to the prophet Samuel, “Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” Read 1 Samuel 8:5-7 (NASB). Continue reading “Be careful what you wish for – Part 1” →