The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book. They belong, with Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and 1 and 2 Kings, to the tradition of Deuteronomic history first committed to writing about 550BCE. The books of Samuel are beautifully written and easy to read with the poetic lament of Hannah in 1 Sam 2 and David’s lament for Saul and Johnathan in 2 Sam1. I Samuel tells the story of Samuel as judge of Israel, the anointing of Saul as king, the first years of his reign, his struggle with David and the death of him and his sons. Ezra , the Chronicler, only notes Saul’s death and the bravery of his soldiers rescuing his body and Jonathan’s body and bringing them back for burial.
2 Samuel records David’s seven and a half year reign over Judah. Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son, was killed in battle after two years as king of Israel. The Israelites then came to ask David to be their king. David still had to battle with enemies within the nation as well as foreign powers. He had deep faith and devotion to God and could win the devotion of the nation, but he could be ruthless, and willing to commit grave sins to serve his own desires and ambitions. The cost for these sins would continue in his family life and through the generations. In later generations when they longed for another king it was one who would be a “son of David,” as promised in 2 Samuel Chapter 7.
The issue and concept of kingship as raised in 1 Samuel Chapter 8 happened in C11th BCE. The people of Israel had up to that time survived with a system of judges and local “prophets”or chiefs who had authority to lead. Threats and attacks from surrounding tribes, some of whom were more technically advanced, apparently raised a sense of insecurity and a lack of confidence in the tribal and familial arrangements of their society. The situation was further exacerbated by the corruption, injustice and lack of responsible behaviour on the part of their appointed leaders, the sons of Samuel. Samuel was ageing Kingship and seemed to the Israelites to be losing control of the system. The examples of other people groups apparently successfully integrated and controlled by “kings”appeared desirable . In former times there had been resistance to the concept of kingship as the Israelites lived in a culture counter to other cultures around them as they conceived of their God, YHWH, as their king, but he was an invisible king. Now, with continued relationships with neighbours who had other gods, and many gods, gods more malleable to human influences, as well as human kings, caused most Israelites to eye enviously or wistfully what appeared to be more desirable. So they demanded a human king of their own. It had been foretold in Deuteronomy that when they had come into the land that the Lord their God had given them, taken possession of it and settled it they could ask God to give them an earthly king. (Deut 17:14-20). Samuel did not appear to remember this prophesy.
The issue and concept of kingship raised in 1 Samuel Chapter 8 is important for us today. For me kingship means not only presenting a history of Israel , but also the faith of the Hebrew bible inextricably interwoven into the story. In Genesis 12:1-3 We have God’s call to Abraham to leave his country, his people and his father’s household and go to the land that the Lord would show him. The Lord promises Abraham that he will make him into a great nation, that his name would be great and he would be a blessing and that all the peoples of the earth would be blessed through him. Abraham obeyed God, left the comfort of his home in Ur at the age of ninety and lived in a tent for the rest of his life. God reaffirmed his promise to Abraham when he was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Gen 22:18) and when Jacob, Isaac’s son is blessing his off-spring (Gen 49:10). “The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until he comes to whom tribute belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” (NIV) Kingship Four hundred years after Joseph’s family settled in Goshen during the seven year famine God sent Moses to free the Hebrews who were now persecuted slaves in Egypt. God demonstrated his power by sending ten plagues before the Egyptian King was prepared to let the Hebrews leave. (Ex Ch 7-13). Then the Lord demonstrated further power by enabling the Israelites to cross the sea to freedom. To this day Jews continue to commemorate the passover from slavery to freedom. (Ex Ch 13:17-14:31). Then after the Lord had demonstrated his power and had brought the people to safety he then began to teach them how they were to live.
In 1 Samuel Chapter 8 when the people clamoured for a king”such as all the other nations have” (1 Sam 8:5b) their request was to have far reaching consequences. God told Samuel that they could have their king but the consequences of their actions were to be explained to them very clearly. God said that, in future times, when they cried out to him after not heeding his warnings, he would not answer. Most people were determined to have a king. They rebelled against God. Rebellion is sin which separates us from God. This rebellion is critical for kingship for all of us. A response is required.
Today, in the church and in society, we are faced with the decision of whom we should obey. Our command is clear. God. Today, in our local area a pastor is in prison, without bail, because he opened his church for worship last Sunday during the current lockdown in Victoria. A Christian friend with a very young family was locked up last Friday night when many police descended on his small gymnasium and meeting place, that was open. David was classified as a rebel, when he was in hiding from Saul who wanted to kill him, but he was being prepared by God for the momentous task ahead of him as the king who would not only expand the land owned by the nation, but, more importantly bring the Ark Kingship of the Covenant to Jerusalem, re-establish the worshipping community and prepare for his heir to build the Temple.
How do we stand in solidarity with individuals who make a stand in obedience when they appear to be flouting the current law in Victoria? As members of the ACC how do we support those of our number who stand against a decision passed by Assembly that goes against the teaching of the bible? What percentage of committed Christians do we need in Australia to make a stand for righteousness, demonstrate the power of God and make a difference?
Two of our grandchildren have been baptised by immersion recently. My husband and I were amazed at the vast number of young people on fire for God in both those churches and their hunger to go out into the community and pray for people for healing and then bring them to hear the gospel of Jesus, the anointed One. How can we support those young people as they stand for righteousness so that they do not become disillusioned and lose the fire in their belly? People in Victoria could go to prison for praying openly for people.
God’s response in 1 Samuel Chapter 8 is also critical for kingship. God gave them a king who was an impressive young man, a head taller than any other Israelite, and without equal among them. Judging by his exterior he would make a perfect king. Samuel anointed him with oil and told him that when he met some prophets the spirit of the Lord will come upon him with power and he would start prophesying with them. Saul told no-one that he had been anointed as king but people who knew him had seen him prophesying with the prophets. When Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin was singled out he Kingship was no where to be found as he was hiding in the baggage. Some did not support Saul at this time.
One day, after being anointed King Saul came back from working in the fields with his oxen. The people were distraught because Nahash the Ammonite had besieged Jabesh Gilead and would only make a treaty with the town if the right eye of every person was gouged out. When Saul heard about this proposition the spirit again came on Saul in power and he rallied every fighting man to fight the Ammonites.(Sam 1:7-8) Saul separated his men into three divisions. During the last watch of the night they broke into the Ammonites camp and slaughtered them. Then Samuel said to the people, Let’s go to Gilgal and confirm Saul as king in the presence of the Lord. So they sacrificed fellowship offerings and had a great celebration.
As you will continue to read 1 Samuel you will find that it was downhill for Saul from there. Saul disobeyed God’s and Samuel’s instructions and God removed the anointing. Saul still continued as king for a number of years. During this time, God had chosen David, small in stature, but a person after his own heart and was preparing him to become king. David would have several opportunities to take things into his own hands and kill Saul, but he respected that God had anointed Saul as king, waited for God’s timing, persevered and resisted temptation. In the next few weeks we will have the opportunity to learn a great deal as we reflect on David, who whole-heartedly sought God, and reigned from about 1010BCE, seven and a half years in Hebron and 33 years as leader of all Israel.
The Chronicler, Ezra, notes that the importance of David’s reign was in finally bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and reestablishing the tabernacle and the Levites in Kingship their roles. He worshipped with song and dance and established Jerusalem as God’s capital on earth. We note the promise to David in 2 Samuel 7, which came to pass one thousand years later.
At the height of his reign David broke several commandments (2 Sam Ch 11) The consequences of that act caused heartache for David and the ramifications were evident in what happened in his family and in the nation in the future. After Solomon’s rule Israel and Judah went their separate ways. The kingdom of Israel was conquered circa 722 BCE by the Assyrians and the people were dispersed among the nations never to regroup. The Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The leaders and prophets were carried off into captivity. Seventy years later they were repatriated to their own land and given money to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. A long period of foreign rule followed. The people then had a short span of freedom during the Maccabean Period (165-37 BCE). The Romans then took control and put rulers over them.
When Christ was born circa 4 BCE God had been silent for 400 years. God had chosen to come as a baby from the line of David, fulfilling the prophesies (Ps 2:7, Zech 9:9-10 Gen 49:10). When asked by Pilate at Jesus’ trial the people replied, ‘We have no king but Caesar”. When Jesus stood privately before Pilate who had power of life and death over him , Pilate said to him, “You are a king then!” Jesus answered him, “ You are right in saying that I am a king. In fact for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37).
Last century Charles Butler painted in oils, “The King of Kings”. It shows the attitudes of 160 earthly kings and rulers in their response to Jesus, the anointed one, the King of Kingship Kings. Jesus is standing in front of the cross in glowing robes and the king of this world, Satan is in darkness behind the cross.
What is our attitude to the King of Kings? In this Post-Christian Era are we serious about searching out potential leaders who have a heart for God and helping to build their character, resilience and perseverance so that they can lead under God’s direction and stand against evil? As part of the Kingdom of God here on earth, are we able to discern current leaders who have a heart for God and encourage them?