“GIVE US A KING” FROM SAMUEL TO SAUL

1 SAMUEL Samuel, the last judge The reign of Saul The birth and childhood of Samuel (1-3) Israel under Samuel’s leadership (4-7) “Appoint a king to lead us” (8) The reign of Saul Divinely selected and popularly acclaimed (9-11) Initial successes (11-12) Disobedience, loss of the kingship, and mental distress (13-16) The history of Saul and David David anointed, confronts Goliath (16-17) Saul’s jealousy of David (18) Saul’s pursuit of David (19-27) Saul’s tragic end (28-31)

FROM A TRIBAL SYSTEM TO A MONARCHY The birth of Samuel (“God hears” or “name of God”) Born to a Levite family (1Chron. 6:25-28) Dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah (1Sm.1:11) Reared in the tabernacle with the priest Eli Received a “prophetic-like” call foretelling the end of Eli’s time as priest (1Sm.3:1-14) Served as prophet (3:19-20), a “circuit-riding” judge (7:15-17), and priest (7:8) Theocracy under priestly “rule” Eli presided over tribal affairs in Shiloh Aided by his sons – called “sons of Belial”, i.e., worthless men (1Sm.2:12) Abused the power of their office (1Sm.2:17, 22)

ISRAEL UNDER SAMUEL The Philistine threat – a clear and present danger Migrated from the islands of the Mediterranean (± 1200 BCE) Occupied the coastal region of Canaan Posed the greatest initial threat to the Israelites The loss of the ark and the death of Eli The ark was brought to the battlefield as support Captured by the Philistines but later returned The Battle at Mizpah Samuel led a successful campaign against the Philistines Recovered territory lost to the Philistines

PHILISTINE INCURSIONS INTO ISRAEL

THE REQUEST FOR A KING: 1 Samuel 8 The motives (8:1-3) Failed, aging leadership Nepotism Irresponsibility The example of the nations The Philistine threat The decision (8:4-10) Rejection of the theocracy in favor of a monarchy The dangers (8:10-22) Exploitation and subjugation

SAUL’S REIGN A “charismatic” leader – chosen and empowered by the Spirit of God (1Sam.10:1) Received popular support (1Sam.11:12-15) Primarily a military reign – similar to the time of the judges The tribal system prevailed Suffered from depression (spiritual oppression?), insecurity, and jealousy (1Sam.16:14; 18:6-9, 28-29) Rejected by God because of his disobedience (1Sam.13:13-14; 15:22-23)

SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE The sacrifice at Micmash (1 Samuel 13) The Israelite army at was with the Philistines Saul instructed to wait for Samuel to offer a sacrifice Saul feared that his army would desert so he offered the sacrifice Samuel arrived and told him that there would be no dynasty for Saul Violation of the “ban” (1 Samuel 15) Saul was to attack the Amalikites who were under the “ban” Saul won the victory but spared King Agag and the best of the livestock to “ sacrifice” Samuel told Saul that God required obedience more than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

SAUL’S OBSESSION AND FAILURE Rivalry between Saul and David Begin soon after David’s anointing Compounded by David’s military victories (See 1 Samuel 18:6-9) Saul’s pursuit of David (1 Samuel 19; 23-24; 26) David’s among the Philistines (1 Sam.27) Saul’s final failure (1 Samuel 28-31) Saul faced the threat of the Philistines Sought guidance from God but received none Sought a medium to bring Samuel “up”(1 Sam. 28) Samuel only confirmed what Saul had previously been told (1 Samuel 28:17-18) Saul takes his life (1 Samuel 31)