The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 8

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

1 Samuel 8 · Grade 4

Like All the Nations

Name Date

Read and Think

Samuel had served faithfully, but his sons Joel and Abijah took bribes and perverted justice, just as Eli's sons had dishonored their father. The elders had a real problem. But their answer was to ask for a king to judge them like all the nations.

Samuel was displeased and brought the matter to the Lord. God's reply was painful: the people had not rejected Samuel, but God Himself as their king. Since the day He brought them out of Egypt, they had forsaken Him and served other gods.

God told Samuel to warn them. Samuel described the ways of a king, over and over using the word take: sons, daughters, fields, vineyards, servants, and flocks. They would become his servants. Still the people insisted they wanted to be like all the nations, with a king to fight their battles.

Show What You Know

  1. What real problem did the elders face?

  2. What word did Samuel repeat in his warning?

  3. Who had the people really rejected?

  4. Why did the people want a king?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

kingnationsSamuelGodelders
  1. The had a real problem.
  2. But their answer was to ask for a to judge them like all the nations.
  3. was displeased and brought the matter to the Lord.
  4. told Samuel to warn them.
  5. Still the people insisted they wanted to be like all the , with a king to fight their battles.

Think About It

  1. Why is wanting to be like everyone else sometimes dangerous?

  2. Samuel took his hurt to the Lord. What can you bring to God in prayer?

Memory Verse

Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them.

1 Samuel 8:7 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my King. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Who can you talk to when you feel left out?
  • What would it look like to let God lead your life?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.