I Samuel 7:3-8:22
Dear RTB’ers,
The ark is back, the Philistines are routed, Samuel is Israel’s judge (and prophet), and his sons are scoundrels! Sounds like a continuation of the book of Judges!! But it’s chapter 8 where we begin a really new period in Israel – the people ask for a king.
The elders’ request had Samuel’s age and his sons’ behavior as reasons for their request, but in fact they just wanted to be like the nations around them: …“Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (v. 8:5) Samuel is displeased at this request, but it’s the Lord who shows Samuel what’s really going on: And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” (v. 8:7) Samuel tells them what having a king will mean for them, but they are persistent: But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (vv. 8:19-20) Although the elders appear to be requesting a king, in truth they are rejecting the Lord’s leadership and kingship over them. God grants their request and the rest of I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, and I and II Chronicles are all about Israel’s monarchy. A new period in Israel’s history…!
Blessings!
See also: March 23 (2023) / I Samuel 8-10