Text::1st Samuel 1:19-20
The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Raman. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plead. And I due time she gave birth to a saon. She named him Samuel, for she said "I asks the Lord for him"
When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel in his place. But they turned out to be corrupt and so could not be trusted to be fair in their judgement. It was obvious that Samuel's sons were not better in this sense than Eli's sons.
Israel wanted a king because Samuel's sons were not credible to lead Israel. And the twelve tribes of Israel always had problems working together as each tribe had its own leader and territory.
This request by the elders displeased Samuel. He then prayed to God for a direction on what to do. In responds, God told Samuel to listen to the voice of the people. Israel had been in a government rule which their judges had their call and commission from God.
God also told Samuel to let them know what the king was going to do to them on the long run. They werngoing to be beaten with their own rod and suffer many things in the hand of the king.
Samuel faithfully delivered the message he got from God about the king to them. In spite of Samuel's warning, the people were determined to have a king. They made up their mind to bear the inconveniences of their havinobedience
Samuel took Saul home where he treated him and his servant not as commoners but as nobles, to prepare him for what was to come. He honoured him by setting him in the best place and presented him with the best meal.
The following day Samuel privately anointed Saul and kissed him and assured Saul that it was God's act to make him king. Samuel anointed Saul in obedience to the instruction of the Lord. Today we are expected to seek the face of God in all situations and obedience.
Parenthood is a great responsibility and as such, nothing should take greater priority than molding and sharpening the lives of our children. Samuel who served the Lord and the people so diligently could not have his children succeeds him.
