CHILDREN STS LESSON 44 – ISRAEL ASKS FOR A KING
Scripture Text:
1 Samuel 8:1–22; 9:1–27; 10:1–27
Samuel chapter ten can be referred to as period of transition from the time of Judges to the reign of kings in Israel. Prophet Samuel had been the judge of Israel right after the death of Eli. He was both the spiritual and political leader of Israel.
Samuel was now old and his sons, who were judges over Israel did not walk in his ways. They do not have the fear of God, they took bribes and collected money from the people. This made Israel to ask for a king. They did not think to pray or ask God for direction. They had already made up their minds. Whenever you want to make important decision concerning your future, always pray and seek God’s counsel.
Though God was not happy with this request, however, when they persisted, God asked Samuel to choose and anoint Saul as king over the people. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. No one becomes king or ruler over the people without the knowledge of God. All men are under the control of God. He rules according to His purpose. All you need do is to surrender your life to Jesus so that God’s purpose for your life will come to pass.
- THE PEOPLE OF GOD REQUEST FOR A KING
1 Samuel 8:1–22; Deuteronomy 17:14,15; Hosea 13:9–11
Israel’s request for a king was based on the following reasons:
(a) That Samuel was too old to lead them.
(b) His sons Joel and Abiah were sinful, wicked and could not be their leaders.
(c) They wanted a king who would lead them in battles against their enemies.
(d) They desired to be like other nations around them.
They thought that the reason for their troubles and defeats was lack of good government. They failed to realise that the cause of their trouble was their sins. They had conformed to the ways of the idol-worshipping nations around them rather than putting their trust in God.
Many times as children, you leave important issues and cry after things that have no value. Some children want to be like their peers in dressing, outlook, association and even in behaviour instead of seeking to be like Jesus. Some others are never satisfied with whatever their parents can afford to give them. Children who desire a secure future must always seek the face of God in prayers for divine direction. No matter how insignificant a decision is, pray about it. God is interested and wants to rule and reign in every area of your life. Do not reject Him like the children of Israel did.
God Himself ruled Israel as their king right from the time they left Egypt till they settled in Canaan. He ruled through:
(i) Direct guidance
(ii) Special revelation and the written laws
(iii) Chosen and anointed leaders
He gave them victory over their enemies. Therefore, when Israel asked for a king, they did not just reject Samuel but God.
In spite of the warnings about what the king would do to them, they insisted that they wanted a king. God heard their request and directed Samuel to choose a king for them according to their wish. God permitted the appointment of a king for Israel to teach His people that no type of government on earth will solve their problems or bring peace and safety as long as they remain in their sinful state.
Jesus will soon come to take His friends to His everlasting kingdom. There is no king beside Him. He is the King of kings and “of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31–33). Surrender your life to Jesus to be a part of this Kingdom.
- PROCESS OF ANOINTING SAUL AS KING OF ISRAEL
1 Samuel 9:1–27; 10:1–27
Saul was the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin which was the smallest tribe among the tribes of Israel. God called him and chose him to be king over the children of Israel, the people of God while he was busy looking for his father’s lost asses. Saul’s obedience to his father’s instruction to go and search for his lost asses led him to the place where he was anointed king over the nation of Israel. There are blessings in obedience.
The process through which Saul was anointed as the first King in Israel was in two phases:
(a) The first anointing:
This was between Samuel and Saul alone through the direct revelation from God. Samuel took a vial of oil, poured it upon Saul’s head signifying that he had been anointed and king of Israel. The following experiences confirmed that Saul had indeed been chosen by God to be king:
(i) The report of the found asses
(ii) The encounter with three men going up to Bethel
(iii) The encounter with the prophets who prophesied
When the spirit of God came upon Saul, he turned into another man, he even prophesied. Without being born-again, children, you cannot walk or have fellowship with God (2 Corinthians 5:17).
(b) The public presentation:
Samuel told the people to present themselves by tribes and families. Through this process, the king that the Lord had chosen would be made known. When the tribe of Benjamin was chosen from these tribes, the family of Kish was taken and then Saul was chosen. When Saul came out, it was clear that he was God’s choice. He stood head above all others. The people readily accepted their new king and shouted “God save the king”.
Every friend of Jesus is a priest unto God. As God commanded that the priests should be set apart for service unto Him, so also our Lord Jesus Christ has set His friends apart to do His service (1 Peter 2:9).
The words that Samuel spoke to Saul were fulfilled. When God speaks, it comes to pass. Saul prophesied just as Samuel had told him. After Saul had finished prophesying, he went away. Saul only started prophesying when he had a new heart and received the Spirit of God.
For you to work for God effectively, you must be saved, sanctified and baptized in the Holy Spirit. God has given different gifts for you to work in His kingdom. Seek always to use your talent to serve God and do His will.
Our services to the Lord as friends of Jesus include:
(a) Holy living (1 Peter 1:15,16).
(b) Preaching the gospel everywhere and teaching the new converts (Mark 16:15,16).
(c) Presenting yourself as a living sacrifice unto God (Romans 12:1).
(d) Sharing and showing the love of Jesus to others.
(e) Helping the needy and living as shining example for others to copy.
Total obedience to God’s commandments will help you to fulfil His purpose for your life.
- PROCLAIMING JESUS AS THE KING OF KINGS
Revelation 19:11–16
The purpose of Saul’s anointing was:
(i) To dedicate him to God for the special task of leading Israel to do God’s will.
(ii) To impart on him the enabling grace and gift for his God-appointed task.
However, because of disobedience, pride of position and power, Saul soon failed to remain faithful to God and His word. He was therefore rejected and his kingdom could not continue.
Countless number of kings have reigned since the time of Saul. There is no king in this world that will reign forever. God’s ultimate anointed King is Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The king of this earth will reign just for a short time. Jesus the Messiah who is the King of kings reigns forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.
He wants to reign in the life of all boys and girls. Open your heart to Jesus today, He will enter in, cleanse you with His blood and reign in your life. You will never remain the same again, and you will also reign with Him in His kingdom at the end of this life (Revelation 3:20,21).
QUESTIONS
- State three reasons why Israel asked for a king.
- What was God’s response?
- (a) Who was Saul?
(b) Who anointed Saul to be king over Israel? - Mention three signs that confirmed Saul was indeed chosen by God.
- (a) Who is the King of kings?
(b) How can a sinner become a priest in the kingdom of God?
MEMORY VERSE
“Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, 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” (1 Samuel 8:19,20).
LESSON
God loves children who are consecrated and committed to His work.
THOUGHT
I will yield myself totally to God’s service.
ACTIVITY
Children should mention different kinds of work they can do in the house of God. The teacher should lead them to pray for grace to become useful in God’s service.
HOMEWORK
Saved children should go out during the week and preach to sinners.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
212 – JESUS SHALL REIGN WHERE’ER THE SUN
CHORUSES
(1) Jesus shall reign forevermore.
(2) Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
(3) He is the King of kings .
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Prophesy
- Divine
- Fulfilled
- Anointing
- Sanctified
