Graft

Before Israel had kings in the Old Testament they were a collection of tribes who would call a "judge" to lead them all only in times of crisis. Over time, however, Israel saw how many of their neighbors had kings and how successful their neighbors were. It seemed any successful "modern" nation would certainly be led by a king. So Israel demanded a king. Elders approached the prophet Samuel with their demands. Samuel warned them of the dangers of having a human king, but they did not change their tune: God did "bless" Israel with a king. This was Samuel's warning:

"This is the way the kind of king you're talking about operates. He'll take your sons and make soldiers of them - chariotry, cavalry, infantry, regimented in battalions and squadrons. He'll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. He'll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks. He'll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. He'll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy. Your prize workers and best animals he'll take for his own use. He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves. The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don't expect God to answer (1 Samuel 8:11-18, The Message translation)."

The people still wanted a king, even after Samuel's warning. It's a good thing we don't have any kings in the United States or the State of Illinois.

Praise be to Christ: our Lord and King.