1 Samuel 8:10-18

Verse: 1 Samuel 8:10-18

10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

Title: The consequence of unfaithfulness

Message: It's our unfaithfulness to God that forbids us from realizing and appreciating His faithfulness to us.God has proven the people how much He values them over all other creations. Nevertheless, they disregarded all these and even expressed their desire to have someone else to rule over them, a decision which angered the creator. Hence, He let them have what they wanted but warned them of its consequence, nonetheless.  

Promise to Claim: God is delighted by our act of faithfulness. He wants us to present our pleas before Him and "discuss matters of justice" with Him (Jeremiah 12:1) just like what Samuel did. Hence, let us not follow the act of the wicked people here for us to enjoy God's guidance and righteousness.

Command to Obey: God is faithful and righteous, so must we.

Warning to Heed: Unfollowing God will bring us harm.

Application: The lesson I have learned here will guide me in making decisions concerning my jobs, my responsibilities and my personal life above all. Hence, I will seek God's guidance regularly through prayer.