Content Essay Assignment 1 Samuel

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Content Essay: 1 Samuel Quinnton J. Lawson OBST 515: Old Testament Orientation October 21, 2023

Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 God’s Will: A Divine Dilemma ..................................................................................................... 1 Divine Promises and Human Choices .......................................................................................... 2 Authorial Perspective: Neither Purely Positive nor Negative ................................................... 3 1 Samuel’s Message and its Context in the Old Testament ....................................................... 3 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................... 6 ii

1 Introduction From the time of Joshua to the time of Saul, the judges led Israel. Their complete trust in Yahweh alone for their welfare and security began to decline. This decline coupled with the threat of Philistines to all tribes of Israel threatened the existence of Israel. Many in Israel began to feel a need for a hereditary and totalitarian leadership to deal with the threat. 1 1 Samuel marks a transformative period in Israel’s history, bringing the gap between tribal rule and the establishment of a monarchy. The narrative of 1 Samuel 8-12 delves into the intricate relationship between God, the people of Israel, and the concept of kingship. Through critical analysis of both negative and positive statements concerning kingship, the connections to Genesis and Deuteronomy as well as the depiction of kingship. A profound understanding of the conflict of God’s reluctance to grant Israel a king due to potential human choices emerges. Shedding light on the broader message of 1 Samuel and its relevance in the context of the Old Testament. God’s Will: A Divine Dilemma From the earliest days, it was recognized that ultimately God himself was King (Ex 15:18; Nu 23:21, Dt 33:5); he alone possessed absolute power and authority. 2 In the initial verse of 1 Samuel 8, the people of Israel demand a king citing the desire to be like other nations (1 Sam 8:4-5). God through Samuel, warns them of the potential consequences, emphasizing the burdens of kingship such as taxation and servitude (1 Sam 8:11-18). Despite God’s reservations, there are moments of divine affirmation. Positive statements surface in the form of Saul, who 1 Chad Brand, Charles (Charles W.) Draper, and Archie England, eds, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, Tenn: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 1561. 2 Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, and Verlyn Verbrugge, eds, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Old Testament . Abridged edition, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Pub. House, 2017).

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2 displays qualities worth of a leader (1 Sam 9:1-10; 11:1-15). This duality presents a divine dilemma: God’s reluctance to place alongside human aspirations. Divine Promises and Human Choices The fact that kingship is prophesied for Israel as early as Gen. 17:6; 35:11; 49:10; and Num. 24:17-19 indicates that God did not regard human kingship as inherently wrong or contrary to His will for Israel. What displeased God was the manner, timing, and motivation for Israel's demand for a king (cp. Sam. 8:5-8; 12:12; Judg. 8:22-23). 3 Genesis 17:6, 16; 35:11; and Deuteronomy 17:14-20 provides the backdrop against which the dilemma unfolds. The promises made to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob (Gen 35:11) 4 concerning numerous descendants and a homeland, are intertwined with the notion of kingship in 1 Samuel. A monarchy was a significant factor in God’s plan for his people from the day of Abraham (Gen 17:6, 16), and Moses outlined the divine expectations Israel’s kings were to meet (Deut 17:14-20). 5 The desire for a king can be seen as an outgrowth of the promise, yet the cautionary guidelines in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 serve as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with kingship. The divine promises serve as a foundation upon which human choices, including the demand for a king, are based, underscoring the tension between God’s plan and human agency. Authorial Perspective: Neither Purely Positive nor Negative The author of 1 Samuel navigates the portrayal of kingship with a nuanced perspective. Kingship was divine in the ancient Near East, where kings were considered literally as gods. 6 Kingship is neither depicted as entirely positive nor negative. The flaws of human leadership are 3 Brand, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary , 1562. 4 Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001), 229. 5 Barker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Old Testament . 6 Koowon Kim, 1 Samuel, (Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Langham Global Library, 2018), 3.

3 evident in the negative statements, highlighting the potential exploration and tyranny that kings could bring (1 Sam 8:11-18; 12:1-25). Conversely, positive traits are embodied in Saul, depicting the potential righteous and just kingship (1 Sam 11:1-15). This complexity reflects the human condition, showcasing the complicated nature of leadership and the choices individuals make within God’s framework. 1 Samuel’s Message and its Context in the Old Testament The portrayal of kingship in 1 Samuel serves a broader purpose within the Old Testament narrative. It exemplifies the tension between human desires and divine providence. The Book of Samuel covers nearly 380 years of Israel’s monarchy. 7 God accommodates the Israelites' choices and the parameters within the covenant. This narrative echoes throughout the Old Testament, illustrating the continual interplay between God’s overarching plan and human decisions. 1 Samuel lays the groundwork for the establishment of the David monarchy. 8 In the larger context of the Old Testament, the divine dilemma and human choices explored in 1 Samuel serve as a precursor to the reign of David, a king after God’s own heart. The complexities of kingship outlined in the Chapters in 1 Samuel set the stage for future reflections on leadership, highlighting the need for humility, righteousness, and obedience in the face of power. Conclusion The narrative of 1 Samuel, particularly in the context of the Old Testament, offers valuable insights into the relationship between God, His people, and the concept of kingship. It reveals a divine dilemma, where God's reluctance to grant Israel, a human king is juxtaposed with the aspirations and choices of the people. From the earliest days, it was recognized that God 7 Kim, 1 Samuel, 1. 8 Thomas Nelson, Believer’s Bible Commentary, eBook: Second Edition, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 269.

4 alone was the ultimate King, possessing absolute power and authority. The demand for a king in 1 Samuel 8, despite God's warnings about the potential consequences of kingship, showcases the tension between divine will and human desires. This duality highlights the complexity of God's interaction with His creation and the choices we make. The presence of divine promises related to kingship in earlier scriptures, such as Genesis 17, 35, and Deuteronomy 17, indicates that God did not inherently oppose human kingship but rather the manner, timing, and motivations behind Israel's demand for a king. The desire for a king can be seen as an outgrowth of God's promises, but it also comes with a set of responsibilities, as outlined in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. This underscores the tension between God's overarching plan and human agency. The author of 1 Samuel portrays kingship with nuance, neither purely positive nor purely negative. Kingship in the ancient Near East was often seen as divine, and this complexity reflects the human condition, showcasing the complicated nature of leadership and the choices individuals make within God's framework. The flaws of human leadership are evident, highlighting the potential for exploitation and tyranny, as seen in 1 Samuel 8 and 12. On the other hand, positive traits are embodied in Saul, depicting the potential for righteous and just kingship. In the broader context of the Old Testament, 1 Samuel's exploration of divine dilemmas and human choices sets the stage for the establishment of the Davidic monarchy. It exemplifies the tension between human desires and divine providence, illustrating the continual interplay between God's overarching plan and human decisions. The complexities of kingship outlined in 1 Samuel serve as a precursor to the reign of David, a king after God's own heart. This narrative underscores the need for humility, righteousness, and obedience in the face of power and

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5 leadership. It reminds Christians of the importance of aligning their desires and choices with God's will and seeking righteousness and humility in all aspects of life.

6 , Bibliography Barker, Kenneth L., John R. Kohlenberger, and Verlyn Verbrugge, eds. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Old Testament . Abridged edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Pub. House, 2017. Brand, Chad, Charles (Charles W.) Draper, and Archie England, eds. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary . Nashville, Tenn: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Historical Books . Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. Kim, Koowon. 1 Samuel . Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Langham Global Library, 2018. Nelson, Thomas. Believer’s Bible Commentary, eBook: Second Edition. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2016.

Content Essay Assignment 1 Samuel

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