1 Samuel 8:1-22 (Part 2)

In 1 Samuel 8:1-22 the people ask for a king “like the other nations”. This, however, is contrary to the will of God. One distinction between the kings of the other nations and kingship in Israel is the king’s relationship to the law and more particularly to God. If the king is under God, then he is subject to God’s law. If he is subject to God’s law, then his power is limited. If, however, the king is a god himself, then he is subject to no law and rules absolutely. Thus, limited government is the revealed form of government in the Bible and its basis is in the reality of God’s absolute sovereignty.