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of a deliberate and determined purpose。 No complaint had been made against
Samuel。 All acknowledged the integrity and wisdom of his administration； but
the aged prophet looked upon
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the request as a censure upon himself； and a direct effort to set him aside。
He did not； however； reveal his feelings； he uttered no reproach； but
carried the matter to the Lord in prayer and sought counsel from Him alone。
And the Lord said unto Samuel： 〃Hearken unto the voice of the people in all
that they say unto thee： for they have not rejected thee； but they have
rejected Me； that I should not reign over them。 According to all the works
which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even
unto this day； wherewith they have forsaken Me； and served other gods； so do
they also unto thee。〃 The prophet was reproved for grieving at the conduct
of the people toward himself as an individual。 They had not manifested
disrespect for him； but for the authority of God； who had appointed the
rulers of His people。 Those who despise and reject the faithful servant of
God show contempt； not merely for the man； but for the Master who sent him。
It is God's words； His reproofs and counsel； that are set at nought； it is
His authority that is rejected。
The days of Israel's greatest prosperity had been those in which they
acknowledged Jehovah as their Kingwhen the laws and the government which
He had established were regarded as superior to those of all other nations。
Moses had declared to Israel concerning the commandments of the Lord： 〃This
is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations； which
shall hear all these statutes； and say； Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people。〃 Deuteronomy 4：6。 But by departing from God's law
the Hebrews had failed to become the people that God desired to make them；
and then all the evils which were the result of their own sin and folly they
charged upon the government of God。 So completely had they become blinded by
sin。
The Lord had； through His prophets； foretold that Israel would be governed
by a king； but it does not follow that this form of government was best for
them or according to His will。 He permitted the people to follow their own
choice； because they refused to be guided by His counsel。 Hosea declares
that God gave them a king in His anger。 Hosea 13：11。 When men choose to have
their own way； without seeking counsel from God； or in opposition to His
revealed will； He often grants their desires； in order that； through the
bitter experience
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that follows； they may be led to realize their folly and to repent of their
sin。 Human pride and wisdom will prove a dangerous guide。 That which the
heart desires contrary to the will of God will in the end be found a curse
rather than a blessing。
God desired His people to look to Him alone as their Law…giver and their
Source of strength。 Feeling their dependence upon God； they would be
constantly drawn nearer to Him。 They would become elevated and ennobled；
fitted for the high destiny to which He had called them as His chosen
people。 But when a man was placed upon the throne； it would tend to turn the
minds of the people from God。 They would trust more to human strength； and
less to divine power； and the errors of their king would lead them into sin
and separate the nation from God。
Samuel was instructed to grant the request of the people； but to warn them
of the Lord's disapproval； and also make known what would be the result of
their course。 〃And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people
that asked of him a king。〃 He faithfully set before them the burdens that
would be laid upon them； and showed the contrast between such a state of
oppression and their present comparatively free and prosperous condition。
Their king would imitate the pomp and luxury of other monarchs； to support
which； grievous exactions upon their persons and property would be
necessary。 The goodliest of their young men he would require for his
service。 They would be made charioteers and horsemen and runners before him。
They must fill the ranks of his army； and they would be required to till his
fields； to reap his harvests； and to manufacture implements of war for his
service。 The daughters of Israel would be for confectioners and bakers for
the royal household。 To support his kingly state he would seize upon the
best of their lands； bestowed upon the people by Jehovah Himself。 The most
valuable of their servants also； and of their cattle； he would take； and
〃put them to his work。〃 Besides all this； the king would require a tenth of
all their income； the profits of their labor； or the products of the soil。
〃Ye shall be his servants；〃 concluded the prophet。 〃And ye shall cry out in
that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you； and the Lord
will not hear you in that day。〃 However burdensome its exactions should be
found； when once a monarchy was established； they could not set it aside at
pleasure。
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But the people returned the answer； 〃Nay； but we will have a king over us；
that we also may be like all the nations； and that our king may judge us；
and go out before us； and fight our battles。〃
〃Like all the nations。〃 The Israelites did not realize that to be in this
respect unlike other nations was a special privilege and blessing。 God had
separated the Israelites from every other people； to make them His own
peculiar treasure。 But they； disregarding this high honor； eagerly desired
to imitate the example of the heathen！ And still the longing to conform to
worldly practices and customs exists among the professed people of God。 As
they depart from the Lord they become ambitious for the gains and honors of
the world。 Christians are constantly seeking to imitate the practices of
those who worship the god of this world。 Many urge that by uniting with
worldlings and conforming to their customs they might exert a stronger
influence over the ungodly。 But all who pursue this course thereby separate
from the Source of their strength。 Becoming the friends of the world； they
are the enemies of God。 For the sake of earthly distinction they sacrifice
the unspeakable honor to which God has called them； of showing forth the
praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light。
1 Peter 2：9。
With deep sadness Samuel listened to the words of the people； but the Lord
said unto him； 〃Hearken unto their voice； and make them a king。〃 The prophet
had done his duty。 He had faithfully presented the warning； and it had been
rejected。 With a heavy heart he dismissed the people； and himself departed
to prepare for the great change in the government。
Samuel's life of purity and unselfish devotion was a perpetual rebuke both
to self…serving priests and elders and to the proud； sensual congregation of
Israel。 Although he assumed no pomp and made no display； his labors bore the
signet of Heaven。 He was honored by the world's Redeemer； under whose
guidance he ruled the H