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    After the routing of the Philistines, Samuel began visiting key cities in Israel each year, keeping the people true to their commitment to God. Each place represented a page in Israel s history: Bethel was where Jacob struggled with God, the twelve-stone monument at Gilgal marked the crossing of the Jordan River, the Ebenezer at Mizpah reminded the people of God s recent victory over the Philistines. These were good years for Israel.

    As Samuel grew older, however, the people insisted on having a king like the nations around them. They believed they needed a central government, a dynamic leader to represent them in national affairs, and a military command that could rally mighty forces in their defense. Samuel fought establishing a king as long as he could. The people’s request dishonored their Protector God who had provided everything that they now took for granted. Their desire for a human king was an affront to the ruler they already had — the Almighty, the ruler of the universe.

But Samuel answered, “What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep. Disobedience is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Pride is as bad as the sin of worshiping idols. You have rejected the LORD’s command. Now he rejects you as king.” 1 SAMUEL 15:22-23

    Finally God allowed them to have a king. He selected an unknown named Saul. He had a rich heritage, the anointing of Samuel, a God-altered heart, innate ability, and a noticeable height advantage. He clearly looked the part, but something deep inside his heart kept him from playing the part.

    Samuel again gathered the people at Mizpah, this time for the crowning of their king. With all the hopes of Israel on his shoulders, Saul began to unite the people of God into a kingdom.

    Saul scored initial victories over Israel’s enemies, but he tended to cut his own path instead of following God’s lead. The brave king who began with promise became reckless, ego driven, and disconnected from God. Samuel withdrew his support and counsel, and before long God expressed his sorrow for selecting Saul to be king of Israel. Without the spirit of God in him, Saul grew paranoid and suspicious and even murderous.

Reflection: Unlike the kingdoms surrounding Israel, God’s kingdom was not based on the fearfulness of the people and the fierceness of the king. God’s kingdom was and is based on love and forgiveness. He wanted his people to be his subjects because they loved him, but the people continued to have trouble loving and following a king they couldn’t see. They thought of kingdom in terms of territory, while God thought of kingdom in terms of hearts. God’s people were totally unaware of the kingdom surrounding and enfolding them. His kingdom far exceeded any human kingdom, but the people wanted what they didn’t have. They wanted to be like those they could see.

    Just as the Israelites did, we tend to look at the seen — truth we can grab and hold and explain. Since we can’t see the spiritual forces of God stationed all around us or the majesty and accessibility of his throne room, we want something more. Yet no human king could ever grant access as God has. We have a continuous audience before him. And once we have yielded to his rule, we are treated more like his children than subjects.

    God is the King of kings, who rules over time and space, truth and justice, dreams and destinies. He has all power and majesty, glory and honor. He is king of heaven and of earth, of the seen and the unseen, of you and me. And we are his heirs.