Choosing A King

By: Alex Geisler

In 1 Samuel 8, God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, chooses a king to rule over them. Rather than continue to look to God as their king, they desire to be like the nations around them and be ruled by a man who could protect and lead them in battle. Despite God’s warning through the prophet Samuel about the consequences of kings, the people insist and a king is provided to them. King Saul would go on to seek his own good rather than the Lord’s will, and lead his people into devastation.   

“‘Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the Lord.” 

1 Samuel 8:5b-6

From then on, Israel is represented by various kings. Each of these kings become reflections of the hearts of the people of Israel, and influences their relationship with the Lord. Kings who seek to serve and obey God lead to Israel’s flourishing, while those who serve idols cause Israel to turn away from their God. 

In our system of government, we have chosen to elect leaders for ourselves. These men and women both represent the climate of our country, as well as shape it during their time in office. No matter the results of this election, Christians will inevitably find that our president will fall short of the way we desire to be represented. If we are being influenced by humans, we cannot escape the influence of their sin. 

I [Saul] said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord Has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.’”

1 Samuel 13:12-14

Thanks be to God who provides a King for his people. In 1 Samuel, God responds to the failure of King Saul by selecting King David. David sought after the Lord’s heart, and led his people to do the same. In 2 Samuel 7, the Lord makes a covenant with David and promises that David’s line will be established forever. Inevitably though, David sinned against God and the people of the land. 

But God doesn’t break his promise to David. Fourteen generations later, Jesus of Nazareth, descendent of King David, is born. Where all other rulers fall short, Jesus embodies perfection.  He spends his life advocating for the poor, healing the sick, defending the oppressed, and seeking the will of God. After his life, death, and resurrection, Luke 24:51 tells us that Jesus ascends into heaven. To this day, Jesus is seated on the throne at the right hand of God the Father, ruling forever and advocating on behalf of his people (Luke 22:69, Mark 16:19, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 12:2). 

This week, Americans will have to accept the results of the election, whatever we have collectively chosen. Some will celebrate and some will mourn the man who is selected to represent and influence the nation’s direction for the next four years. Wherever you find yourself on that spectrum, remember that God himself has chosen an everlasting king who will never disappoint. All authority on heaven and on earth, including in the United States, has been given to him.