In the book of Judges there are fantastic stories of rescue with strong personalities like Samson and Gideon. We tell these stories to children but when you deep dive into this book the history of Israel reflects our own current times. The theme of the Book of Judges is a verse that is repeated throughout. “In those days there was no king in Israel.” And I am afraid that the casual reader will make the wrong conclusion. They needed a king like King David. We in our modern world need a righteous man to lead the country like King David. But this is the wrong conclusion so let me explain.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 17:6 ESV

In those days there was no king in Israel. Judges 18:1 ESV

In those days, when there was no king in Israel Judges 19:1 ESV

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 ESV

You Need a King

The people absolutely needed a king and we need one today. Everyone agrees that there was no righteous king so everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes. People need strong leadership. People need to know what is right and wrong. As a society we can’t just do our own thing because our hearts are evil. When we read Judges we see the murderous impact of doing your own thing and living life as right in your own eyes. Modern society has reached this point in my lifetime. Everyone is living their own truth and the decay of society is quickly reaching a boiling point.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 1 Samuel 8:4-5 ESV

Why You Don’t Have a King

Samuel is a Judge over Israel. He is a good judge and he has been a Shepard for the people a long time. The people come to him and demand a King. Israel has been missing a king ever since the first Judge Moses lead them out of Egypt. Why does Israel not have a king?

And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7 ESV

You Rejected God as King

When we read that “In those days there was no king in Israel” we think they need an earthly King. But this is the wrong answer. It was wrong for them and it is wrong for modern man. They do not need an earthy King and we do not need an earthly president to save us and protect us. What they needed and what we need has always been right here with us. God is the only King we need. The people never turn to God to be their King.

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.” Judges 8:22-23 ESV

Christ is the Only King

Your King is God. This is the theme of Judges. In those days there was no King and everyone did what was right in his own eyes because everyone has rejected God as their King. He has told you what is right and what is wrong. He has promised to protect you and win battles against your enemies. Why would anyone then or now reject God as their King?

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

When I read the book of Judges, I see a faithful God providing leaders to people who are faithless. The same is true for us today. We demand a King in the form of a Democrat or a Republican. We demand the government care for all our needs. If government is your god and king then you will live in ruin and misery like the people of the book of Judges. Turn to the only King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Every knee will bow before Jesus because he is all that we need.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 ESV