Looking for Heroes
People had no specific complaints against Samuel, but in their minds, facing an enemy, they needed an impressive Hero to lead them, a King. In 1 Samuel 12:12, people said, Ki melekh yimloch aleinu “If only a king would reign over us!” Samuel’s response to this was, vAdonai Elocheykhem Malcheychem “Hashem Your God is Your King!” If a king reigns over Israel, both the people and the King will still have to obey God’s will.
The Almighty allowed Israel to have a king, but in 1 Samuel 12:20, the prophet reminded them of the most crucial part, al tasuru me-acharei Adonai, “do not turn from the LORD” va-avad’tem et Adonai bekhol levav’khem, “but serve Hashem with all of your heart.” Samuel was a true prophet. He always pointed Israel towards one true purpose in life. But people yearned for a capable human ruler to represent them among the nations. Concerned about how others saw them. And we have not changed. Humanity continues to chase after heroes and saviors, and the words of Samuel still stand. And we need to be reminded of them, generation after generation. How can these words guide us today?
Stop Dreaming Up Your Own Heroes and Saviors. Both you and I have no shortage of challenges. These are the things that we worry about, things that make us lose sleep at night. These are things we believe we cannot handle on our own. So we look for leaders, for heroes, for extraordinary people to help us with our problems. We believe that if we just get a new leader, a better one, everything will improve. The ancient Israelites yearned for a strong, handsome, and charismatic leader to stand in front of their army. All other nations had impressive kings in shiny armor and great-looking designer clothes. But Israel didn’t. In reality, we only need ordinary people endowed with a fear of God, those on whom Hashem’s spirit dwells. A simple shepherd whose heart is right would do. The Eternal gives courage to ordinary people like you and me to face challenges, so we need to stop looking for handsome heroes and savvy saviors, but look to Hashem.