“Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.” 1 Samuel 8:1-8 NKJV
Father,
I have empathy for Samuel. To bring up children that do not want to know or walk with You, Lord. So many parents praying for their prodigals. And there are those children who are praying fervently for their parents! But You gave us free choice.
And Israel do not ask Samuel to find other good men, perhaps priests who he knows or others he can recommend. No, like small children having done a survey of one other nation, they claim everyone else around them has a king so they want one (v5). A good idea but not a God idea. They is nothing wrong with good ideas but we need to hear Your view in case it is a good idea that leads astray.
How lovely that You, God says to Samuel not to take the rejection personally. They rejected You God first, so You understand his pain. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Now we too have Your Son, our Saviour who fully understands us. He walked in our shoes and knows exactly how we feel and what we need.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 28th March 2026
A flash from the past and there it is in this hymn- the sympathising Jesus. And I love the chorus.
The great Physician now is near,
the sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
oh! hear the voice of Jesus.
Sweetest note in seraph song,
sweetest name on mortal tongue;
sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.
All glory to the dying Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior’s name,
I love the name of Jesus.
Chorus
His name dispels my guilt and fear,
no other name but Jesus;
oh! how my soul delights to hear
the charming name of Jesus.
Chorus
And when He comes to bring the crown
The crown of life and glory;
Then by His side we will sit down
And tell redemptions story.
Chorus
Lyrics: William Hunter