Israel thought that a king sounded like a good idea but he will bring unexpected consequences. The king will conscript men for his army (8 v11), to harvest his fields (v12b), to manufacture weapons (v12c), daughters to be perfumers, cooks and bakers (v13), portions of their harvests (v14-15), their servants (v16) and their flocks (v17). The kings will cause the people to eventually cry out to God for mercy, but God will not answer (v18).

We need to be very wise in what we desire and in regards the decisions we make. The paths we take can have unintentional consequences. We must humbly acknowledge our limited knowledge and seek God’s wisdom. Sometimes when a path we seek to go is blocked, it is God’s kindest mercy.

Despite being warned of the consequences of having a king, the people thought they knew better and took their own path (v19-21). Once more we see how stubborn God’s people can be.

If we will not listen to God’s warning then the danger is that God will grant us Our wrong desires (v22). Pray for God’s grace to protect you from wrong desires.