In 1 Samuel 13:14 we read,  “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be captain over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”  The reference was spoken to King Saul about the soon-to-be King David.  But the history of God’s opinion of human kings began before this pronouncement of Saul’s failure as king and David’s rise to kingship.

In I Samuel 8 we see the people of Israel demanding a human king.  God was displeased that they had rejected Him as king.  God warned them as to what would happen if they pursued this passion for an earthly king, but He agreed to give them what they wanted.  What’s truly amazing is that 350 years earlier in Deuteronomy 17 God had outlined the responsibilities and duties of an earthly king.  He knew then what would happen when Samuel was serving as Israel’s judge and prophet.  

Most of the Kings of Israel and Judah failed to do what God required, but David was different.  David showed his character by humbly subjecting himself to King Saul even after Samuel had anointed David as king. Even so must we as children of the king – joint heirs with Christ – humbly submit to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – the One Whose authority exceeds all earthly king, leaders, and rulers.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 9, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is How Great Is Our God: Passing the Faith Along. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/how-great-is-our-god-old-testament-digital-study-guide/. Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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