Our lesson is found in 1 Samuel 8 and
is the beginning of lessons about the life of David.
In
the time of the judges, Samuel had two sons that were judges. The judges were
in the Old Testament in the book of Judges. The judges were people that God
picked to take care His people when they were in trouble. They acted like
military leaders guiding the people. The people would win a battle, then eventually
stop following God's laws and start worshipping idols. There were judges for over
300 years.
Samuel’s sons Joel and Abijah were judges in Beersheba. They
were not faithful to God. They were dishonest and took bribes. Samuel was a
prophet (speaker for God) and a judge.
The elders of Israel
went to Samuel and said that Samuel was old and his sons were not faithful to
God. The people do not want judges anymore. They want kings like the other nations
around them have.
Samuel wasn’t
happy that the people wanted a king instead of a judge to guide them. So Samuel
prayed to God. God told Samuel to listen to the people and do what they say.
God said they are not rejecting you, they are rejecting Me. God told Samuel
that the people didn’t want God to have control over them.
God told Samuel
that the people have proven by the things that they have done since He had Moses
take them from Egypt that they do not want God to rule over them. The people
have been serving idols and have forsaken God.
God told Samuel
to listen to them and warn them beforehand what will happen if they have a
king. Show them the behavior of a king that will reign over them. Samuel told
the people what God had said to him. This is what will happen to those that are
asking for a king.
A king will reign
over you. A king will take your sons and make them work as his horsemen, they
will have to take care of the king’s chariots, some will have to run before the
king’s chariots. Some will be captains
in his army. Some will have to be farmers and plow the ground and reap the
harvest. 
Some will have to make weapons for war and make equipment for the king’s
chariots. The king will take your daughters to make the perfumes and oils. They
will have to be cooks and bakers. A king will take the best of your fields and
vineyards and olive groves.
A king will take a tenth of your grain and
grape harvest for his officers and servants. A king will take your servants and
best healthy young men and make them work for him. A king will take a tenth of
your sheep. You will be the king’s servants. You will cry because of the choice
you have made, but God will not hear you.
The people refused to hear all that Samuel was
telling them. They wanted a king so desperately! They wanted to be like the
other nations around them that had a king. They said that a king would be their
judge and fight their battles for them.
Samuel heard what the people said and told God
what they said. God told Samuel to do what the people wanted and give them a
king. Samuel told the men to go back to their city to wait.
Next week, we will learn who is picked to be
the first king of Israel.
The printables for David in this series are for an older
age group than I usually post. Most of these lessons about David are not
appropriate for early elementary. But David is a great study. So, as you can
see from the above picture, there is a Q&A. This could be used with younger
groups by using the answer sheet and just asking the questions for
discussion. Each post in this series will have a maze and some type of puzzle.
The additional application has thought questions about how the students can
apply the lesson to their daily life. There are answer sheets for all
worksheets except for the last application. Everyone will have a different
set of answers. Click here to download.
Click here to download the Pictures to Color.
Bible verse: 1 Samuel 8:22
Used by permission.
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