Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel marks an important shift in Israelite governmental style. Up until this point, the not-yet-officially-named ‘Israelites’ were governed by a succession of divinely appointed judges, such as Samson and Gideon. These men were military leaders that arose from varying backgrounds in order to protect the 12 tribes from whoever wished to rob the Israelites of their land, produce or belongings (Chilton, 127). However, these tribes had not yet united under a single banner competently enough in order to make efficient use of their combined military power. So enters Saul, who is to be anointed King over all of Israel. Yet, the story of Saul’s election highlights conflicting ideologies that are expressed subliminally in the text. These overt events and underhand machinations also embolden an important literary and historical feature of the Bible- it’s tendency for politically biased, retrojective retelling of events-mostly in favor of the Davidic lineage.
The chapter opens with Samuel’s sons being described as amoral men that “took bribes and perverted justice” (1 Samuel, 8:3). Interestingly enough though, the reader is not told what these bribes and perversions of justice are exactly. Instead we are forced to assume that Samuel’s sons were unequivocally evil, to the degree that the elders are somewhat justified in requesting a new leader. Next, despite being only 2 Judges, this chapter seems to state that Joel and Abijah have total control over all twelve Israelite tribes. This idea however contradicts the fact that, “from the close inspection of the narratives in Joshua and Judges… [We can see that although] they cooperated loosely and sporadically, for the most part in the fact of military threats, thes...
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...simply too insufficient in completing the task (Chilton, 138). Thus, the soon-to-be-named Israelites commit to a governmental change that will allow them to settle down in a conquered area, advance their science and culture, and begin historical documentation. However, in my opinion, one contradiction within the books of Samuel seems to stand out more than the others. And that is, that despite all this anti-monarchial posturing, by both man and God, the Davidic line is endorsed by both, whereas Saul is simply cast to the wayside by the same two parties. Yes, he does conduct unlawful sacrifice (1 Samuel, 13), but this is merely the icing on the cake that was already Yahweh’s grudge already held against him. But perhaps, when one calls the ultimate fate of the Davidic line to mind, this conundrum seems less like a contradiction, and more like a fortelling.
Before actually attaining the role of king, both David and Saul must forego a number of events to have a rightful claim to the throne. First and most importantly, they are anointed by God's power, proclaimed openly, and lastly, unanimously acclaimed by the people. Because God guarantees their power on Earth, it is highly evident that these men must still obey the Lord. Adding to this, it seems as if David and Saul have a proverbial contractual agreement with God. When the rules of this proverbial contract are broken, it is God that determines the repercussions.
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in their own sight” (Judg. 21:25). This quote at the end of Judges sets up an optimistic view of kings for the rest of the Deuteronomistic History. King David is considered perhaps the greatest king over all of Israel, whereas King Hezekiah is praised for never turning away from God and being the greatest king among all the kings of Judah (2 Kgs. 5). However, despite the high need for a praise of kings throughout the Deuteronomistic history, Solomon is viewed with a skeptical eye and is the cause of the demise of Israel. Unlike the positive view of kings portrayed throughout the Deuteronomistic history, King Solomon is framed in a negative light in 1 Kings 11: 1-13, which
In 1 Samuel 28: 1-25 Yahweh guides Saul to his death because he has outright deceived and disobeyed God. This passage sets an example to obey Yahweh; otherwise he will inflict punishment upon the disobedient. It portrays that Yahweh's love, power, and covenant should never be taken for granted. Saul is, in essence, a pawn in an overall lesson and story by God. It is quite possible that the disobedience of God and punishment inflicted upon him was his very fate that only God could control.
Ezekiel lived in a time of international crisis and conflict. Assyria was the world power in the area under the rule of Tiglath-pilesar III. In 724 B.C Israel raged war upon Assyria, and Israel was no match for Assyria. In 627 B.C the last of the able Assyrian rulers, Ashurbanipal died. Following the death of Ashurbanipal, Babylon under Nebuchadrezzer II wanted independence from Assyria. In 614 B.C the Assyrians under Nineveh surrendered to the rising Babylonians. In 605 B.C the Babylonians defeated the Egyptians and established themselves as the leading power in the area. During all of this warring, Judah allied itself with Babylonia and kept her independence. However, in 597 BCE, after failing to continue their payment of tribute, Babylonia besieged Jerusalem. Nebuchadrezzer II, king on Babylonia, installs a puppet king, Zedekiah, in order to keep the Judeans in line. Nevertheless, Zedekiah rebels also. In 586, Babylonia exiles the most of the rulers and people of Judah to Babylonia, leaving only the poorest, and decimates Jerusalem, including the temple. Since the people believed the “Zion Theology,” which said Jerusalem is God’s choice of Zion and the monarchy comes from David, exile left the Judeans completely lost. The responses varied among the exiled Judeans, since they assumed that they were safe, after the temple wasn’t destroyed during the first destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of Israel. One response was lament, a feeling or an expression of grief, over their loss. Another was anger towards the Babylonians. A further response was anger toward neighbors who failed to aid them. Moreover, some Judeans turned to Marduk, chief god of the gods of Babylonia, figuring that he overpowered Yahweh, the god of the Judeans. Finally, the Judeans thought judgment had befallen them for their sins against Yahweh and Yahweh revoked his protection of Jerusalem. The Judeans remained in exile, until 538 BCE.
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”(4) The nation of Israel was eager for a change. Despite the previous predictions warning Samuel that a king was to come from the tribe of Judah not Benjamin, the Israelites rushed into choosing Saul as first
Saul bridged that chasm well as he was chosen by Yahweh primarily as a defender of his nation against continual threat from invasion. Nevertheless the introduction of the monarchy did not occur without criticism despite the subtle transition due to Saul's previous charismatic status. Incredible tension formed as underlined in I Samuel 7-15, stemming between early pro-monarchic sources and a later anti-monarchic one. The anti-monarchic sentiments (I Sam 8:7) revealed a reflective criticism of the monarchy, which is probably exilic in origin. I Sam 8:11-18 revealed the root of the criticism and the nature of the kingship in the ancient world. The pious were not the dissenters rather the rich farmers who did not wish to pay taxes to the centralised government. In Marx's ideology it is the Base economic loss which caused the religious or Super Structure criticism of the monarchy.
In 1st Samuel, David seeks his God’s counsel regarding whether or not he should go to battle. “David inquired of The LORD, ‘Shall I go attack the Philistines?’ and The LORD said to David, ‘Go attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’” (23:2) In this example, David asks God a question, and the LORD replies with a definite yes, almost echoing David’s question in agreement. Through this verse, we can see God’s heart unfolding within David. David’s will aligns with the LORD’S will entirely, even when the people around him are in disagreement, as we see in verse three, when his men are fearful and do not wish to attack the Philistines (23:3). Instead of arguing with his military, he seeks the Lord’s voice again. God assures him that His plan will not fail, saying “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” (23:4) After hearing this, his men follow him without question(23:5). In direct correlation with David’s obedience, his kingdom grew in prosperity and protection. 2nd Samuel illustrates this very well; “David’s power grew steadily, for the Lord God who commands armies was with him.” (2 Samuel 5:9-10) Like any other man, David did have opposition. Saul despised him because of his success (1 Samuel 18:15) “But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.” (18:16)
Ezekiel lived in a time of international crisis and conflict. Assyria was the world power in the area under the rule of Tiglath-pilesar III. In 724 B.C Israel raged war upon Assyria, and Israel was no match for Assyria. In 627 B.C the last of the able Assyrian ruler, Ashurbanipal died. Right after the death of Ashurbanipal, Babylon under Nabopolassar wanted independence from Assyria. In 612 B.C the Assyrians under Nineveh surrendered to the rising Babylonians. In 605 B.C the Babylonians were at war against the Egyptians. The Babylonians won and they established themselves as the leading power in the area. During all of this Judea allied with the Babylonians and with this Judea kept her independence. During the last century before Judea was destroyed it was ruled by four rulers and of those rulers, all but Josiah were wicked. Josiah was committed to God and led Judea to him. All the others did not heed the warnings of Ezekiel and Jeremiah from God, and the rulers of Judea chose to rebel against God. God punished Judea by sending Nebuchadnezzar’s army to crush the nation of Judea and flatten the city of Jerusalem.
Scholars also believe the text of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were originally one manuscript. These scholars believe the book of Samuel was written as a part of a whole sequence beginning with Joshua and ending with Kings. Others believe two literary sources lay behind the present form of Samuel. Though differences have been noted, such as the story of David and Goliath being much shorter in the Septuagint, these scholars still have not determined the author, time of writing or the purpose of the text. I noted some minor textual differences in my research but the main theme and message remained the same in all sources that I verified.
In First Samuel chapter eight the Israelites request a king to reign over them. God appoints a man who’s name is Saul. He first appears as a typical young man who belongs to the small tribe of Benjamin. When he is appointed king he is somewhat intimidated by his new task. However, over time he experiences a series of events that make him a selfish, envious, and a power hungry ruler, and eventually insane. This development in his character starts from his son Jonathan’s disobedience to his orders, but its main source is his jealousy of David’s successfulness on the battlefield, and his failed attempts at killing David.
David did not do everything right just as Saul did not do everything wrong. David is a study in the human condition. As Peterson points out, King David is a “character consisting of humility and adoration, sacrifice and courage, repentance and obedience, loyalty in the community, and love of God.” The story of David shows people that when they use the things that God places in your life He is preparing people for their service to Him. He prayed to God, consulted God in prayer, and unified the northern and southern kingdoms in obedience to
The book of 1 Samuel is introduces key characters in the Old Testament of the Bible that allows for a great demonstration of God’s divine love and power. This influential book introduces the characters of Hannah, Samuel, Saul, David, and Jonathan. The book of 1 Samuel begins with Samuel’s birth and rise as a holy prophet of God. Samuel was not only a prophet, but also held the titles of priest, and judge. Samuel brought a vast amount of influence to the people within Israel. The life of Samuel started around 1100-1010 B.C. Samuel was born to serve the Lord all of his days. Samuel’s mother Hannah conceived, and donated him to the high priest Eli. Samuel received a call from the Lord where God revealed the coming destruction of Eli’s reign
Jeremiah began his prophecy during the reign of Josiah. During this time there was much prosperity and political independence. He was very concerned with the social inj...
In conclusion, the harsh words used to describe God was a driving factor as to how similar Jeremiah and Israel were; their predestined birth and faith with God. The descriptions of God and Israel in Jeremiah’s words is quite similar yet God was describe as a warrior and Israel as his enemy. However, Jeremiah and Israel are quiet similar in many ways yet their faith toward God is completely different. Both their birth were predestined by God and led to many journeys; at this point where Jeremiah laments, he still sees the holy and good in God and continues to praise him. In contrary, Israel mocked the prophet God has chosen, Jeremiah and even threaten to denounce him; their faith toward God declines causing God to send Jerusalem into exile in Babylon.