Living in a cursed and broken world, we are all working and striving to find a measure of comfort and security. We want to overcome loneliness, and so we look for friendships or a spouse. It is a wonderful thing to have good and strong relationships. We are encouraged when we know there is someone who loves and cares for us. We want to overcome economic uncertainties to make sure we have food on the table and a roof over our head, and so we work hard in our different vocations to provide for our families. We want to overcome boredom and relax after a long day of work, and so we find hobbies, books, or other ways of being entertained. Even in the food we eat, there is a measure of comfort. That first cup of coffee in the morning, a freshly baked bread in the oven.

The desire for comfort and security is a desire that we find in the heart of every human being. We want relief from the effects of the fall. And this desire can lead us in one of two directions. We can look for comfort and security in the things of this world—that which we can see, taste, and feel, for example, relationships, hobbies, food, money, and so forth. Or we can look for comfort and security from our Maker, from God who is unseen and yet present everywhere. God who has promised to care for us and provide what we need. God who has shown us how to live in a broken world. 

Coming to 1 Samuel 8:1–22, Israel’s request for a king is ultimately connected to this universal search for comfort and security. They want a king because they think a king can give them peace. In the desire for security we find the big problem. Israel does not trust the Lord to fight for them. They do not believe the words spoken by Moses that God is their King and that he will protect them (see Deuteronomy 20:1–4). Instead, like the nations around them, they want to walk by sight and not by faith. They want an impressive and charismatic leader. They want to see a king that has many horses so that he can pull many chariots (which would mean he has a strong military). They want to see a king who has lots of gold so that he can pay the bribes and tribute needed to placate would-be invaders. They want to see a king who has lots of wives, because political alliances will be necessary to secure Israel’s borders and ensure their future in Canaan. A theology of glory and comfort in the things of this world. The Israelites do not trust the Lord to care for them.   

If idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of or in addition to the only true God who has revealed himself in his Word, then that is exactly what Israel are doing in this chapter. And to make things worse, this idolatry, this rejection of God, takes place whilst the Ebenezer stone stands upright in the distance. Not far from Ramah there is a public testimony to the Lord’s grace and faithfulness (see 1 Samuel 7:11–12). A stone to remind God’s people that the Lord will fight their battles. It does not matter that they are smaller than the nations around them. It does not matter that they do not have chariots and horses or big strong armies. No, if they are obedient to the terms of the old covenant, they will have battle victory (see Exodus 23:23–27). The Lord has promised to care for his people and he has demonstrated his ability to do so time and again. Most recently in the awesome defeat of the Philistine army (see 1 Samuel 7:10–14).

Israel’s demand for a king was thus sinful because it was a rejection of the Lord. A rejection of the Lord who delivered his people out of Egypt. A rejection of the Lord who brought them into the land. A rejection of the Lord who graciously cared and provided for them. The Lord who meant to be their comfort and security.