International Sunday School Lesson - Sunday School in 7minutes

God becomes Israel’s king at the Exodus. This lesson is during the period before Israel had an earthly king. During that time God established tribal leaders call judges. God used these men and women to save and lead Israel.

Samuel was a great judge. Typically, the people of God followed the Lord during the lifetime of the judge. After the judge died, Israel would corruptly turn away from God. But in Samuel’s case, he is not dead. He is getting old and moving toward retirement.

Samuel appointed his two sons to judge Israel stationed in Beersheba, but these sons were dishonest perverting justice.

The elders of Israel approached Samuel, saying you are getting old, and your heir apparent sons are corrupt. Let’s establish a whole new order and have a king, like the other nations. And let this king judge us. And let there be a dynasty so that his sons will rule in his place after his death.”

Note Samuel’s role as a judge is not a dynasty.
God raised judges;
He did not create a dynasty of judges, whose sons replace them.
If Samuel’s sons are corrupt, they can be set aside. But to propose a dynasty is to call for a system in which the king’s sons will rule in his place, whether they are wicked or righteous. The cure at best enshrines the alleged problem.

Samuel is not at all pleased with the elders’ proposal.
While it is true that they are seeking his replacement. Samuel’s displeasure is because he knows that their request is wrong and that is it sinful.

But Samuel does not pop off, scorching the elders with his disapproval. He shows MCs and leaders that it is important to listen to those we disagree with. We must respect their innate human dignity.

Samuel goes to God in prayer. God’s response to Samuel’s prayer confirms Samuel’s assessment of the situation.

Samuel is being rejected by the people, naturally, he contemplates whether this is due to a failure on his part. God informs Samuel that ultimately it is God, not Samuel, whom they are rejecting. God was their King. If Samuel is being rejected for the same reasons God is, then Samuel should take this as a compliment.
As MC we should not feel bad when we are rejected standing up for the ways of God.

In the next part of the lesson, The Lord told the prophet, Samuel, that Saul is to be the king of Israel. They had met and Samuel anointed Saul with oil.

Samuel knew who was to be king but there had to be a public process. Samuel calls Israel together at Mits-PAW and speaks for the Lord. The children of Israel are reminded that God brought them out of bondage in Egypt and lead them on their journey to the promised land fighting off those who tried to oppress them. Despite all of that, Israel rejected God as their King and chose to govern themselves like other nations with an earthly king. "You've rejected me, and insisted on a king. Well, you're getting one today, congratulations."


Samuel began to pick lots to show the man that God was selecting. As the lots were cast, first, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, then the clan of Mat-REE, then the family of Keesh. Saul was chosen from that family but was nowhere to be found.

The would-be king Saul was hiding among the baggage. He ran and hid, and they had to find him and bring him out. Saul Was taller than any of the men in the crowd standing out. And Samuel pointed out there was none like him. That however had more to do with his character rather than his stature

Israel shouted Long live the King. But we will see as we look at Saul’s career that he was the right person for the job at this point. Maybe the wrong person for the job during another period. That’s still true today