Memory Verse: And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

I Samuel 10:6 KJV

The Israelites asked for a king to reign over them. Their request was not because they had no leader. They knew that God was their judge. Although Samuel’s sons did not walk in God’s ways, God told Samuel that the people were only making excuses. What the Israelites truly wanted to accomplish was to remove God from Lordship.

6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. I Samuel 8:6-7 KJV

When the Israelites would not turn from their desire for a king though Samuel repeated the terms from God by which this king would rule, God sent Saul to reign over them.

15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, 16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. I Samuel 9:15-17 KJV

Saul the King was not the same person as Saul the Benjamite – of the most humble tribe of the Israelites. He was changed because God changed his heart (I Samuel 10).

24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. I Samuel 10:24 KJV

The Bible says the Israelites wanted to be like all other nations (I Samuel 8:20). Society today is fascinated with look-alikes. If you happen to resemble a celebrity, you may even make a living of being an impersonator: not the real deal; a replica; a fake. If you will please God however, you will need more than an angelic face. God said that if one desires to be like Him, he or she must not be like the world. Rather you must separate yourself unto God (II Corinthians 6:17).

Jesus is the real King.