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Many years Samuel judged the
people of Israel: and when they hearkened to him, and obeyed him,
they were safe and happy, because he ruled over them rightly, and taught
them to fear and love the Lord. But at last, Samuel grew an old man,
and then his sons helped him to judge Israel. Samuel's sons were not
like their good father. They loved money, and the things of the
world, better than they loved God. The
Israelites said to Samuel, "Thou are old, and thy sons, who judge us
now, are not like thee: give us a king to reign over us."
Samuel was displeased when the Israelites said this; but he made no
answer; he went first to ask God what was right. God was very angry
with the people of Israel. He was their king; He gave them laws, and
fought their battles, and took care of them and of their country; He was
their best Friend and ruler; and they were ungrateful and rebellious, and
foolish, too, to wish for a new king. Samuel
went again to the people, and told them what God had spoken. Samuel
told them they had made God angry; for He was their king, and they ought
not to desire another; and a new king would not make them happy; he might
be ambitious, and selfish, and cruel, and then they would cry for
deliverance, when it would be too late. But the people did not care
for what Samuel said, and for the kind warning he gave them; they cried
out again, "We will have a king. We want to be like other
nations; we want to fight battles, and to have a king to go with
us." Then Samuel went again to God, and told Him what the
people said. And did God let them have their wish? Yes, He
told Samuel to let the people have a king. But God was not
pleased. He let His people have their own way; but He was punishing
them, not blessing them. We
are weak and foolish, and we know not what is right or best for us.
But God knows, and we ought to submit in all things to His will.
When he takes away, or does not give us what we ask Him for, we may be
sure that it is best for us not to have it; and we ought to be patient,
and submit quietly.
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