Give Us A King, Part III
Give us a king, the people said, who will lead us and fight our battles.
Samuel, the aged prophet, looked upon the request by the people for a king as a censure upon himself.
“And the LORD told him [Samuel]: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” 1 Samuel 8:7 (NIV).
In political circles, it had been stated that the people rejected the Democratic party.
In utter disbelief and dejection, the democratic electorate began to point fingers every which way. “’Kamala did not really distinguish herself from Biden.’ ‘They chose the wrong candidate.’ ‘They should have chosen Gavin Newsom, or Josh Shapiro, or even Michelle Obama.’ ‘They did not really listen to the people, the working class.’ ‘There was not enough support shown for the Palestinian people.’ ‘There was poor campaign strategy and messaging,’ and it goes on.
However, I firmly believe in similar fashion as God was speaking to Samuel, the people did not reject the democratic party per se, but rather, they rejected the “establishment.” They rejected the norms and traditions in how the government has run. They wanted someone to “get things done,” even if he had to break some rules to do so. They wanted someone who would buck the system, to shake things up. The “American people,” a plurality to be sure, wanted a king to be over them, to lead them and fight for them; because the wheels of democracy were tedious and slow. In essence, they were choosing autocracy over democracy. This goes beyond parties. As you recall, back in 2016, the people rejected a panoply of Republican candidates, who were more qualified and had more decency than Trump. Yet, they chose Trump. Four years later, Trump was the frontrunner and led in the polls the whole time. During the Republican primaries, Trump opted not to debate any of his Republican challengers. He lost no ground for this decision. The people wanted Trump as their king, regardless of the similar policy proposals of the other Republican candidates. Any criticisms from any of the candidates against an absent Trump were quickly shot down with a showering of boos.
The people had spoken. They no longer wanted the establishment, whether from Democrats or Republicans. Instead, they wanted a king.
And “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” 1 Samuel 8:18.
We are now nearly four months into Trump’s reign. According to an IPSOS poll, only 6% of Trump voters regret supporting him. But as we get in a little deeper, there are cracks beginning to appear among the base.
Two pollsters showed that Trump's approval rating has taken a dip among Republicans, with TIPP showing a drop from 81 to 76 percent, and ActiVote showing a drop from 83 percent to 78 percent. Signs of erosion are emerging within his Republican base — and his support among centrists is beginning to collapse.
It is early on and the numbers don’t tell the full story. What is known is that a growing number of people are being shafted and devastated by Trump’s draconian policies and harsh executive orders. Free speech is being stifled and punished. Legal immigrants are being harassed and deported. Thousands of federal workers have been fired, for no justifiable reason. Government agencies, such as USAID and NIOSH are being gutted or shut down, putting millions at risk for increased morbidity and death. There is significant decrease in funding to programs and departments designed to help those in need. Farm Aid has been frozen or put on pause leaving farmers in limbo, not knowing how they can stay afloat.
The crying for relief has already begun. The weeping and gnashing of teeth has increased, and there is no one to bail them out. There is no one to answer their call. They are stuck with whom they have chosen-- the man in the White House for now.
While it is obvious that everyone does not support the reign of Trump, everyone has to deal with the consequences of the nation’s choice. It must be especially vexing for those who voted for a man, a king, only to experience a gut punch, and to be cut off at the knees. It is like an act of betrayal and deceit to hear one make promises to make things more affordable on Day One and make America great, only to be left in limbo with nowhere to turn.
The parallels and similarities between 1 Samuel 8 and our current state of affairs are most astounding and sobering. There can be no doubt that this country, the United States of America, currently holds the same sentiments and is displaying many of the same behaviors as ancient Israel.
Daniel 2:21 states “He controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings.” Concurrently God works within human constructed systems and engages within our choices. God’s sovereign will is coupled with our freewill.
To understand better my perspective in how God is still in control, please see my written commentary, “God is Still on His Throne” here-- https://theowatch.blog/theo-watch-blog/2024/12/20/god-is-still-on-his-throne.
God being in control does not mean we are divested of our freedom of choice or that the consequences of our actions vanish into thin air.
“In my anger I gave you kings, and in my fury I took them away.” Hosea 13:11(NLT).
It was not God’s ordained will for the nation of Israel to have a monarchial government. If that were so, it would not have been in anger that God gave them kings or allowed them to have kings. If having a king was according to God’s ordained will, then a monarchial form of government would have been pleasing to the Lord.
“The Lord had, through His prophets, foretold that Israel would be governed by a king; but it does not follow that this form of government was best for them or according to His will. He permitted the people to follow their own choice, because they refused to be guided by His counsel. Hosea declares that God gave them a king in His anger. Hosea 13:11.
When men choose to have their own way, without seeking counsel from God, or in opposition to His revealed will, He often grants their desires, in order that, through the bitter experience that follows, they may be led to realize their folly and to repent of their sin. Human pride and wisdom will prove a dangerous guide. That which the heart desires contrary to the will of God, will in the end be found a curse rather than a blessing.” Patriarchs and Prophets 605.3.
America said, in the run-up to the presidential election on November 5, 2024, “Give us a king, who will fight for us.” America then made the choice to having a type-king, a wannabe dictator, a person who seeks to concentrate executive power even within a democracy built against such a concentration of power.
It is demonstrably evident that this king, in Donald Trump, has been permitted by God to be there. However, what we are seeing does not comport to an ordinance or approval from God. Instead, what we are seeing even now is the curse of cruelty, corruption, and chaos, and not blessings. God is not pleased.
Give us a king; and in My anger, I gave you a king.
