Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, by Harry Anderson

1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16: Lesson 71

1 Samuel 8

“Israel Desires a King”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

For many years in the promised land the Lord prepared judges such as Samuel to lead Israel. Instead of having the Lord reign over them, the Israelites wanted a different kind of leader. This lesson can help you understand the importance of resisting worldly influences by choosing to follow Jesus Christ.

Study the Scriptures

Ponder things teenagers want to do because “everybody else is doing it.” What challenges might a teenager experience if that is their reason for doing something?

For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices teaches:

[Heavenly Father] knows you can make a difference in the world, and that requires, in many cases, being different from the world. Seek your Heavenly Father’s guidance as you make choices. He will bless you with inspiration through the Holy Ghost. (For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices [2022], 4)

As you study 1 Samuel 8, seek the influence of the Holy Ghost and ponder your own decisions.

For many years in the promised land, the Lord guided the Israelites through judges like Samuel. As Samuel grew older, the elders of Israel came to him with a request.

Read 1 Samuel 8:4–7. Mark what kind of leader the children of Israel wanted and why they wanted to change.

It may seem surprising that the Lord would tell Samuel to listen to the poor choice of his people (see verse 7). Heavenly Father honors agency and will not force us to choose the right.

Hundreds of years later, in the Book of Mormon, the prophet Mosiah taught how the impact of even one wicked king can be destructive to a nation. You may want to link 1 Samuel 8:5 to Mosiah 29:17–23.

In 1 Samuel 8:20, we learn that the Israelites wanted a king to judge, lead, and fight their battles. Choose one passage from each of the following headings. Look for how Christ already does for us what the Israelites hoped their new king would do for them.

• Jesus Christ is our Judge. Isaiah 33:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10

• Jesus Christ leads us. Exodus 13:18; Isaiah 48:17; Alma 36:28

• Jesus Christ fights our battles. Joshua 23:10; Doctrine and Covenants 105:14

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

What are the consequences of not following the Lord?

The Israelites learned that choosing to follow the world instead of the Lord’s loving counsel leads to suffering and regret.

Read 1 Samuel 8:10–18. Mark words or phrases that help teach this truth.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

God has given us the precious gift of being free to choose how we think and how we act. We can reject the words of God or His prophets. We might even think our way is better. This might seem pleasant to us—at least in the beginning. It might even feel good for a time. But we never can escape the consequences of our decisions. (“Avoiding Lighthouses and Searching for Light,” For the Strength of Youth, June 2022, 5)

As you think about the choices you make, choose one of the following resources to review.

• “Leave the Party” (6:26)—In this video, young people experience consequences based on who they choose to follow.

• “Life’s Lessons Learned” (6:15 to 8:00)—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares a choice he made and the consequences he avoided because of it.

• “Choose Eternal Life” (0:00 to 2:08)—Elder Randall K. Bennett of the Seventy shares the consequences he suffered because he ignored warnings.

In your notebook, answer the following prompts:

• Examples you have seen of how choosing to follow the world leads to suffering or regret

• Examples you have seen of how choosing to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ leads to joy and a stronger relationship with Them

Discuss with a friend or family member the consequences of following the Lord versus choosing worldly influences.

Option B

How can I overcome the pressures and voices of the world?

President Russell M. Nelson explained:

The voices and pressures of the world are engaging and numerous. But too many voices are deceptive, seductive, and can pull us off the covenant path. To avoid the inevitable heartbreak that follows, I plead with you today to counter the lure of the world by making time for the Lord in your life—each and every day. (“Make Time for the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 120)

The following activity can help you discover counsel the Lord has given to protect you from worldly influences.

Choose something today’s youth might feel pressured to do or believe.

1. Use the scriptures, scripture study helps, For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, or the Gospel Library app to answer the following questions about the example you selected:

   1. What counsel has the Lord given us about this?

   2. What blessings has the Lord promised to people who choose Him over worldly influences?

2. Think about what you believe about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Write a couple of sentences about how this knowledge can help you follow Them.

Now What?

Saul Leading Israel Against Their Enemies, by Robert T. Barrett

The Lord honored the Israelites’ agency and instructed Samuel to call Saul as king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 9–10).

What would you have wanted to tell the Israelites before they made their final choice? In your notebook, write a letter to the ancient Israelites.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you understand the importance of choosing to follow Jesus Christ.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• Your letter to the ancient Israelites.

• What you found in your study about choosing the Lord over worldly influences and how that helps you follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?