Searching for a King is a journey that begins in 1 Samuel, during one of Israel’s darkest spiritual seasons.

The nation is drifting, its spiritual leaders are compromised, and everyone seems to be doing what is right in their own eyes. Into that chaos, God raises up Samuel and begins calling His people back to Himself. But instead of trusting God as their King, Israel demands a king they can see—someone who looks strong, fights their battles, and makes them like everyone else. They get exactly what they ask for in Saul, only to discover that outward strength cannot compensate for inward disobedience.

As Saul falls and David rises, Searching for a King reveals that God looks for something radically different than we do. He looks beyond appearances to the heart, values obedience over image, and prepares His servants long before He gives them a crown. Yet even as David emerges, the story leaves us longing for something more. Israel doesn't merely need a better man on the throne; humanity needs a perfect King. Ultimately, 1 Samuel points beyond Saul and David toward Jesus—the King who would come not simply to rule His people, but to rescue them.

1 Samuel 8 (ESV)

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah5 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.”6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.7 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.8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him.11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants.15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants.16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men[a] and your donkeys, and put them to his work.17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us,20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.22 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”

Deuteronomy 17:14–15 (ESV)

“When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you…and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose.”

1 Samuel 8:21–22 (ESV)

“And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Obey their voice and make them a king.’”

Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the End of the age.”

For those exploring faith and checking out The Shores Church:

Whether you join us online or in person, Pastor Scott and Annie want you to know that you are genuinely welcome at The Shores Church. Our mission is simple: We want to help people live lives anchored to Jesus. That’s not a one-time moment—it’s a journey, and every journey starts with a first step.

If you’ve never decided to accept God’s forgiveness and declare Jesus as the Lord of your life, today could be the day everything changes. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Salvation is the beginning of a life anchored in Jesus. It’s a personal belief that God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day. But it’s also more than belief—it’s a confession. It’s saying out loud, “I need Jesus, and I want Him to lead my life.”

If you’re ready to take that step, your prayer could be as simple as this:
"Jesus, I believe You are for me. I believe You died, were buried, and rose again for me. I confess I am a sinner, and today I receive Your forgiveness. I declare that You are the Lord of my life. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer—or are still processing—we would love to hear from you. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.