(1) Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. (2) The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. (3) His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice.
(4) Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; (5) and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (6) But the matter was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. (7) And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them.
God and Government
- Many forms of government have existed through history
- Every form of government has its strengths and weaknesses
- Decisions about forms of government are serious and have great impact
- God has plans in place for a perfect lasting government
