1 Samuel 8-10: Power Corrupts

Just as in Saul's time, most of the time those we choose to be our leaders aren't even capable of finding a bunch of lost donkeys.  But, we want kings, we want governments, we want someone else to assume responsibility, to take the burden of protection and taking care of the poor and lost away from us and shoulder it instead.  Anyone, that is, but God. 

And like Saul, who initially was so afraid of being king that he hid among the baggage, eventually the power of office overtakes those we elect and they become bigger in their own minds than what we wanted.  It has always been that way.  As the historian and moralist,  Lord Acton, wrote in 1887:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

There is however, one absolute power that can never corrupt. One that has no shade of darkness in him at all.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. - Isaiah 9:7 NIV

2010 Post - 1 Samuel 8-9:  Where is the King        
1 Samuel 10:  Hidden Among the Stuff