1 Samuel 8:20b that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

If your answer to my question about which king God was describing was any or all kings between Saul and Herod I accept your answers as valid. If on the other hand you said Jesus Christ, then I would ask you to look at what God said and compare them to the above verse. Nowhere in that description did God’s prophetic word include these three elements.

Now the elders before Samuel added those items as an indication of what they were looking for and only in Christ were they provided. God never promised them a king before Christ that would meets those needs. He provided them with exactly what they deserved.

1 Samuel 8:19-20a 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;

You cannot serve the King of kings and be like the world.

Now for the most important part of any bible study.

Did God show you anything we did not cover?

No bible study should cover every minute detail in such depth that it leaves no room for discovery of God speaking to a disicple about other issues. Good teachers leave the corners of the field untouched so that grains may be gleaned independent of the plow they operate.

I intentionally left some nuggets out there for you to discover. Will you share those gems with me?

I will entertain any question with an open heart.

1 Samuel 8:9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

Read the rest of chapter 8 and answer me this question. Who is this King that God is describing?

I have only one more thing to ask of you after this and that will bring this study to a close. I think it is the most important part of any bible study and should be addressed in all bible studies.

Until tomorrow, good reading, meditate from your heart and know that God is speaking to you there.

I am praying for you.