The story of Samuel’s later years, as seen in 1 Samuel 8, presents a sobering lesson on leadership, temptation, and the consequences of rejecting God’s authority. Samuel, one of the godliest men in the Bible, appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges over Israel. Their names, meaning “Jehovah is God” and “Jehovah is (my) father,” reflected Samuel’s faith more than their character. Sadly, these men fell to the seduction of wealth, took bribes, and perverted justice, demonstrating how easily greed can corrupt even those in positions of spiritual leadership. Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 about the love of money being the root of all kinds of evil reminds us of the dangers of greed. As believers, we must heed the admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which assures us that no temptation is unique, and God always provides a way of escape.

The temptations of money, women, and power are universal. Many have stumbled because they underestimated these pitfalls. To guard against such failures, Samuel’s example points us to the importance of safeguards. In the church context, systems of accountability are vital. At Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, Pastor Allen Victor emphasizes these precautions. Financial integrity is maintained by ensuring that money is counted by elders in pairs. To prevent impropriety, interactions between men and women are carefully managed, discouraging private one-on-one meetings or prayer sessions. Transparency and humility are key to preventing the abuse of power, as Pastor Victor willingly submits to the church’s elders and congregation. Individually, believers must also prepare themselves, understanding that temptation will inevitably come, and their response will depend on their readiness.

The elders of Israel, dissatisfied with Samuel’s leadership and his sons’ corruption, demanded a king to rule over them, as recorded in 1 Samuel 8:4-5. Their request, however, revealed a deeper issue: they desired to be “like all the nations” rather than remain a people governed by God. By seeking an earthly king, they rejected God as their sovereign, despite Israel’s very name meaning “Governed by God.” Samuel was disheartened, but the Lord reassured him that the people were not rejecting Samuel, but God Himself. This rejection of divine kingship mirrors the rejection of Christ and the Gospel. As Jesus said in Luke 10:16, those who reject the messenger of the Gospel ultimately reject Him.

God, however, instructed Samuel to grant their request but warned them about the consequences of their decision. Earthly kings, God explained, would “take” from the people—their sons, daughters, fields, and resources—all for the benefit of the throne (1 Samuel 8:10-17). This foreshadowed the burdens of human governance: military drafts, higher taxes, and economic inefficiencies. Today, these principles remain evident as governments often increase debt and impose greater demands on their citizens. Only God’s governance is truly righteous and free of such repercussions.

Despite Samuel’s warnings, the Israelites persisted, declaring their desire for a king to lead them into battle and make them “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:19-20). Their insistence reflected a troubling willingness to trade freedom under God’s rule for the bondage of human authority. This choice recalls the historical cycles of democracy described by Alexander Tytler: nations rise from bondage to liberty, only to fall into selfishness, apathy, and eventually back to dependence and bondage. The Israelites’ decision to appoint a king illustrates humanity’s tendency to forsake God’s perfect leadership for flawed human systems.

Ultimately, God allowed the people to have their king, warning that their cries for relief would go unanswered (1 Samuel 8:18-22). This decision underscores a vital principle: when we insist on our own way, God may permit it, but we must face the consequences. The passage concludes with a timeless truth—human governments, whether monarchies, democracies, or republics, are doomed to fail because they center on flawed humanity. Only a theocracy, governed by God, can offer true justice and peace. Until Jesus, the King of Kings, reigns in full, the world will continue to suffer under imperfect rule. The message serves as a call for believers to place their trust in God’s sovereignty and prepare their hearts for His eternal kingdom.

This teaching was presented by Pastor Allen Victor at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville.

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