Israel Wanted a King: Why We Still Do the Same

This passage has always struck me as heartbreaking.

Verse 7 makes it clear: Israel was rejecting God’s direct guidance. They wanted someone else to carry the weight of responsibility for their safety and security — someone to appoint soldiers, negotiate trade, and manage peace.For a long time, I didn’t think I could relate to this. But since stepping into what the Father has called me to — building my own ministry, essentially being my own boss (though truly, He is my boss) — I’ve begun to understand. There is no human supervisor telling me what to do. The responsibility rests on me to steward what God has placed in my hands. Unlike a 9–5 job, I can’t simply clock out. This assignment stays at the forefront of my mind, and building it in the physical realm requires constant effort.

And responsibility is something our flesh resists. It’s easier to hand it off, to let someone else carry the burden. That’s why Israel wanted a king — it meant less thinking, less effort, and more freedom to focus on themselves.

I Can’t Judge Them

Receiving an assignment from God where you carry the responsibility yourself is daunting. You’re exposed. You have to learn how things work, make wise decisions, and practise discernment — even in something as practical as hiring. And through it all, you can’t forget to go to God daily. Without His guidance, nothing lasts.

And honestly, I can’t judge Israel for wanting a king. Working under someone else often feels easier because it shifts the weight of responsibility. But it also means you’re dependent on them. A boss decides how many hours you’ll get in a week, whether your contract is extended, and even who you’ll work alongside — whether you get along with them or not. Most importantly, they decide your pay. In the same way, Israel’s king would dictate their time, their resources, and their taxes. Handing over control can feel safer, but it also means surrendering freedom.

So what do we take from 1 Samuel 8? Israel’s first king, Saul, had human faults like the rest of us. Some kings were good, others were corrupt, but none could prevent Israel from being scattered again and again. Human leadership always carries risk.
But relying on God alone is different. He never steers us wrong.

Who are you letting dictate your time and pay — a human boss, or the Shepherd?

As Psalm 23:3 reminds us, “He leads us along the right paths for His name’s sake.”

When we stop asking for kings and start trusting the Shepherd, we finally walk the right path.