I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
The giving of a king in anger came because the people rejected divine rule and guidance, insisting on their own choice and demanding human rule instead of submitting to God. They pressed this demand from pride, wanting to be like the surrounding nations rather than remaining distinct under Him. The king so given was Saul. That permission in granting what they asked did not mean monarchy was best for them or in accord with His will.
Beforehand Samuel faithfully told them the manner of the kings of the nations around them. Such a king would not be like a judge over church and state instructing them in the Lord's ways, but would exalt himself, require kingly honors, exact a heavy tax or tribute, and oppress them. God would not display His mighty power to deliver them as in Egypt, and when they cried to Him in distress He would not hear them. The royalty they desired thus replaced His mild and beneficent government with tyranny, exaction, and oppression.
He at times grants desires that oppose His revealed will so that their bitter consequences expose human folly and lead people to repent. What the heart desires against His will proves in the end a curse rather than a blessing.
The giving of a king in anger came because the people rejected divine rule and guidance, insisting on their own choice and demanding human rule instead of submitting to God. They pressed this demand from pride, wanting to be like the surrounding nations rather than remaining distinct under Him. The king so given was Saul. That permission in granting what they asked did not mean monarchy was best for them or in accord with His will.
Beforehand Samuel faithfully told them the manner of the kings of the nations around them. Such a king would not be like a judge over church and state instructing them in the Lord's ways, but would exalt himself, require kingly honors, exact a heavy tax or tribute, and oppress them. God would not display His mighty power to deliver them as in Egypt, and when they cried to Him in distress He would not hear them. The royalty they desired thus replaced His mild and beneficent government with tyranny, exaction, and oppression.
He at times grants desires that oppose His revealed will so that their bitter consequences expose human folly and lead people to repent. What the heart desires against His will proves in the end a curse rather than a blessing.