As Samuel gets older, the Israelites become afraid for their future, as his sons “do not walk in his ways” So they ask for a king.

God gets upset at their lack of faith, and tells Samuel to explain that a king will ” take your sons for his chariots, and your daughters as cooks, he will tkae the best of your fields, your vineyards and your olive groves….”

But they still beg for a king, so God tells Samuel to appoint Saul, of a minor family of the tribe of Benjamin.

Samuel warns the people to still follow God if they want all to be well… “Serve the Lord with all your heart and do not turn aside, for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.”

Words that ring true today, as does the first line of Psalm 14, quoted in the headline above. The Psalm finishes: “Oh that the Salvation of Israel would come out of Zion….”

Dear God, Thank you for a morning of swimming and minor adventure. Thank you for helping us overcome the hurdles in our way over the weekend. Please be with us this week, every minute, and help us be with you, to think of you and praise you and love you as you command. Help us to show love and kindness to all those you put in our way. In Jesus’ name, Amen