Song # 1767.1 from Our Gospel In Song Collection by Col Johnston. We read in 1 Samuel in chapter 8 that Samuel, upon growing old, appointed his two sons as judges for Israel. But both Joel and Abijah did not walk in Samuel’s ways, so the elders and the people asked Samuel for a king to lead them.
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel (1 Samuel 8:1). But his sons Joel and Abijah (1 Samuel 8:2), did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:3). So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah (1 Samuel 8:4). They said to him “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (1 Samuel 8:5). But when they said “Give us a king to lead us” they displeased Samuel. So he prayed to the Lord (1 Samuel 8:6). And the Lord told him “Listen to all that the people are saying to you, it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their King” (1 Samuel 8:7). “They have done this from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods” (1 Samuel 8:8). “Now listen to them, but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who reigns over them will do” (1 Samuel 8:9). Samuel told the people what the Lord had said (1 Samuel 8:10). “This is what the king who will reign over you will do. He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses” (1 Samuel 8:11). “Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plough his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for hid chariots” (1 Samuel 8:12). “He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks and bakers” (1 Samuel 8:13).
Thought for today: trust in God today and prepare for your tomorrow.
Thought for the future: thank God for what you have, trust God for what you need. Where will you spend your eternity?