Take a look at these nicknames in the list below. Do you know the people they are referring to. They are all famous people from the 1900s and 2000s. The answers are at the conclusion of the post. See how many you can guess!
The King of Rock & Roll
King James
The King of Pop
The King of Swing
The King of Hollywood
The King of Country music
The King of Blues
And there are a bunch of others who were just called “The King”. Can you think of others? There is actually a Wikipedia page dedicated this nickname!
I don’t know if any of the people gave themselves the label “King,” and I don’t know if they really wanted that label or liked that label. This week on the blog, we meet a man who didn’t want to be king in 1st Samuel chapters 8 through 10.
In 1st Samuel 8 verse 1, we learn that time has passed from where we left off in chapter 7 (post here). I know it seems we only just studied Samuel’s birth and childhood. But now we read in verse 1, that he is old. How old we don’t know. Estimates are in the 55 to 65 year old range. In his day, age 55-65, is elderly. Life expectancy was much shorter. He could pass at any time.
We typically call Samuel the last judge of Israel, but we learn in verses 1-2 that he has sons whom he appoints as judges. The Old Testament mentions little about them again. We learn that they are dishonest, accept bribes and pervert justice. This sounds very familiar. Samuel’s mentor, Eli, had two wicked sons as well.
This time, as we read in verses 4 and 5, the elders of Israel come to Samuel and they ask for a king. They believe they have a good rationale too: Samuel’s age, and his sons. (As I write this in 2024, I’m wondering if we can get some elders to come talk to our two American presidential candidates who are old and have sons with questionable behavior.) To the elders of Israel, their rationale makes sense. The nation should not be led by leaders who are wicked. And they believe Samuel is too old. So the elders of the people think they are making a suggestion that is wise. Or are they? Is there more to their motivation?
Notice in verse 5, that they do seem to have other motivation when they ask for a king to lead or judge them, “such as all the other nations have.” They want to be like the grown-up nations around them. They want to get a new car like their neighbors. Keepin’ up with the Joneses. You can almost hear them thinking, “All the neighboring nations have monarchs, why can’t we? It’s not fair.”
Or maybe the elders of Israel have thought this through and believe that having a king is a really good and wise choice. Is it perhaps wise to have a leader, a authority, a hierarchy. We hear that sentiment still today. I’m guessing you’ve heard it too: “There has to be a leader.” In a marriage, there has to be a leader. In a church, there has to be a leader. In any organization, you need a leader.
But do you have to have one single leader in any of those relationships or organizations?
What about a flat hierarchy? A team approach? For example, consider a house church where there is no lead pastor, but instead a team of elders. Even at Faith Church, though I am the pastor, on our Leadership Team, I am one vote of ten. We are not a pastor-led church. There are some pastor-led churches in my local ministerium, and I am amazed at how those pastors can unilaterally make all sorts of decisions.
There are pros and cons to all leadership structures. But let’s face it, when there is a king, that person has all authority to do what they want.
When I am the only parent at home, I can really enjoy being the sole authority. Years ago when my wife Michelle was traveling to Cambodia 2-3 times per year for work, and our kids were little, while I missed her and totally believe that single parenting is more difficult than two-parent parenting, there were times when it was super convenient to be the sole person responsible for decision-making. I didn’t have to discuss anything with Michelle. Kings have that kind of decision-making freedom, and if they are benevolent, it can be a very helpful freedom.
So Israel’s request for a king is a mixed bag. It might be partly a wise request, might be partly selfish. No matter their motivation, we learn Samuel’s response in the next post, and here’s a hint, he is not happy.
Photo by emrecan arık on Unsplash
Answers to the nicknames:
The King of Rock & Roll? (Elvis Presley)
King James (Lebron James)
The King of Pop (Michael Jackson)
The King of Swing (Benny Goodman)
The King of Hollywood (Clark Gable)
The King of Country music (George Strait)
The King of Blues (B.B. King)
And there are a bunch of others who were just called “The King”. Any guesses? (Arnold Palmer of Golf, Richard Petty of NASCAR)
Engaging Scripture 
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