I Samuel: Kings-The People’s Choice

The Children of Israel have faced may obstacles in Scripture and by the time they get to 1 Samuel there is a unique direction that God allows the people to take. God used Moses as a spiritual, military and political leader. Likewise, God used Joshua as a Spiritual, military and political leader. However, in the book of Judges God no longer relies on a single leader and has allowed a series of Judges to rule the land tribe by tribe. At some point the Children of Israel ask God to give them a King like the other nations. Before God gives them what they ask for, God is very specific about what a King would do if they received one.

In 1 Samuel 8, God tells Samuel to warn the Israelites/Hebrews that a king would force them into the military, take their daughters and make them cooks, bakers and perfumers, seize the people’s assets, tax the people heavily and enslave them. In spite of the warning the people still desire a king. Eventually God gives them a King.

The book of 1 Samuel chronicles the history of Israel in Canaan (The Promised Land), as they transition from a band of united Tribes led by Judges to a unified nation led by a King. The book opens with the heartfelt prayers of Hannah who asks and petitions the Lord to allow her to have children. The Lord blesses Hannah with Samuel and continues to bless her with children. Hannah takes Samuel to Eli the priest to dedicate him to fulfill her vow that she will give her child to the Lord. After the child grows Hannah takes Samuel back to Eli and Samuel is trained, nurtured and mentored by Eli. While Eli’s children are rebellious against the Lord and disqualified for leadership and service, Samuel grows in grace and replaces Eli as priest and prophet.

When God grants the Children of Israel their wish for a King, God has Samuel anoint Saul and eventually David as King. The book of 1 Samuel is best understood in these subdivisions:

The book of I Samuel is the first in the Old Testament where Israel or the Tribes of Isreal are led by a King. This changes the entire feel and flow of the record of the Children of Isreal. Once they become a nation, they encounter challenges that a nation has. What does not change is God’s Covenant (Promises) and God’s expectation that the people will be obedient. God requires and desires obedience from the people and the King. Likewise, the people and the King have a price to pay when they are disobedient.