I Samuel 5-9

“We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (8:20). God was Israel’s true King, the one who protected and provided for them; their communal life was centered around worship and the Law. But instead of cherishing their uniqueness, they wanted to be like other people. God warned them that a king would “claim his rights” (8:9), disappointing them and taking advantage of them.

“If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts ... serve him only” (7:3). The Lord alone is our refuge and defender, and he alone will never let us down.