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Of Kings and Princes
Though given so much by God, and promised so much more were they to obey, the Israelites were influenced negatively by the surrounding culture. For instance, they saw in the surrounding kingdoms a very different political structure. All of these nations had a king. Combined with the fact that Samuel’s sons did not emulate their father’s behavior and leadership but “took bribes, and perverted justice” (1 Sam. 8:3, NKJV), the tribal leadership of Israel felt that it was time to appoint a king over Israel (1 Sam. 8:4, 5). Samuel is not at all happy with this decision but is told by the Lord to comply (1 Sam. 8:7).
The Benjamite Saul is anointed as king by Samuel (1 Sam. 10:1) and begins his reign in Gibea. However, as already foreseen by God, things are not easy for the new king. Tribal tensions continue. Israel’s very existence is in jeopardy due to pressure from the powers surrounding her. The new king is not committed to following God’s requirements (1 Sam. 15:3, 8, 9) and, as a result, God finally rejects Saul.
Afterward, David is anointed as the future king of Israel. As expected, Saul does not want simply to hand over the power to the new military champion, David, and the next decade is marked by internal strife, with David always being on the run.
The next major turn in Israel’s history comes when Saul and his sons are killed in battle against the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:1–6). David is first made king over Judah and then, seven years later, over all of Israel. David establishes Jerusalem as the new capital of the united monarchy. His military exploits are successful; he extends the borders of the kingdom. After a forty-year reign, David dies in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:4; 1 Kings 2:10, 11). Similar to our own lives, David’s reign is marked by great victories, some bad choices, and a lot of God’s grace. He is succeeded by his son Solomon, who also reigns for forty years (1 Kings 11:42).
Solomon is not a warrior or conqueror. Instead, he seeks and receives divine wisdom (1 Kings 3:3–13); he constructs the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem; he designs efficient administrative structures that control and organize Israel; but, toward the end of his life, he turns away from the Lord, following the religious practices of his many wives (1 Kings 11:1–8).
Read 1 Samuel 8:7–20. How does this passage show that God’s ways are better than man’s? How often do we find ourselves doing the same thing, wanting to do things our own way instead of God’s?
| WEDNESDAY | September 29 |
Though given so much by God, and promised so much more were they to obey, the Israelites were influenced negatively by the surrounding culture. For instance, they saw in the surrounding kingdoms a very different political structure. All of these nations had a king. Combined with the fact that Samuel’s sons did not emulate their father’s behavior and leadership but “took bribes, and perverted justice” (1 Sam. 8:3, NKJV), the tribal leadership of Israel felt that it was time to appoint a king over Israel (1 Sam. 8:4, 5). Samuel is not at all happy with this decision but is told by the Lord to comply (1 Sam. 8:7).
The Benjamite Saul is anointed as king by Samuel (1 Sam. 10:1) and begins his reign in Gibea. However, as already foreseen by God, things are not easy for the new king. Tribal tensions continue. Israel’s very existence is in jeopardy due to pressure from the powers surrounding her. The new king is not committed to following God’s requirements (1 Sam. 15:3, 8, 9) and, as a result, God finally rejects Saul.
Afterward, David is anointed as the future king of Israel. As expected, Saul does not want simply to hand over the power to the new military champion, David, and the next decade is marked by internal strife, with David always being on the run.
The next major turn in Israel’s history comes when Saul and his sons are killed in battle against the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:1–6). David is first made king over Judah and then, seven years later, over all of Israel. David establishes Jerusalem as the new capital of the united monarchy. His military exploits are successful; he extends the borders of the kingdom. After a forty-year reign, David dies in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:4; 1 Kings 2:10, 11). Similar to our own lives, David’s reign is marked by great victories, some bad choices, and a lot of God’s grace. He is succeeded by his son Solomon, who also reigns for forty years (1 Kings 11:42).
Solomon is not a warrior or conqueror. Instead, he seeks and receives divine wisdom (1 Kings 3:3–13); he constructs the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem; he designs efficient administrative structures that control and organize Israel; but, toward the end of his life, he turns away from the Lord, following the religious practices of his many wives (1 Kings 11:1–8).
Read 1 Samuel 8:7–20. How does this passage show that God’s ways are better than man’s? How often do we find ourselves doing the same thing, wanting to do things our own way instead of God’s?
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