OBST 515-Content Essay Assignment 1 Samuel
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Content Essay: I Samuel Assignment
Andrew Pedde
OBST 515-B01: Old Testament Orientation I
September 22, 2023
Contents
Making the Case for a King in Israel…..…………………………………………….3
The Examination and Emergence of Kingship in Israel……………………….…….4
The Connection Concerning Kingship Found in Genesis and Deuteronomy………..5
The Depiction of Kingship in I Samuel……………………………….. ………..…..6
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...7
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………..……..8
ii
Making the Case for a King in Israel:
When examining whether God intended for Israel to have a human king, the answer appears
to be affirmative; however, it comes with a deeper layer of meaning. God indeed desired for
Israel to have a king, but His ultimate desire was for them to acknowledge Him as their King.
Despite God being their rightful ruler, the Israelites rejected Him in favor of a human king. This
stemmed from their failure to recognize their chosen and distinct status. Their preoccupation
with emulating neighboring nations led them to overlook their unique role as God's chosen
people.
The Israelites explicitly expressed their desire for a king, stating, “Nevertheless the people
refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have 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.” (1 Samuel 8:19-20, King James Version). God respected their request but, in
essence, it signified their rejection of Him as their divine King.
Throughout the biblical narrative, there are clear indications of an anti-monarchal sentiment,
emphasizing that God's preferred choice was Himself as the reigning King. Notably, anti-
monarchy passages significantly outnumber pro-monarchy ones. These passages are surrounded
by anti-monarchy themes, highlighting the tension regarding whether God truly desired a human
king for Israel.
1
Scholars often notice discrepancies between pro-monarchy and anti-monarchy passages in
chapters 8-12 of Samuel. Some conclude that these inconsistencies suggest differing viewpoints
1
Victor P Hamilton,
Handbook on the Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-
Nehemiah, Esther
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 230.
3
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on God's preference for a king.
2
However, a different perspective suggests that God did not
forcefully impose His will or withdraw in frustration when the Israelites made their request.
Instead, He utilized the circumstances of the moment to work toward a greater purpose.
In the broader context, it becomes apparent that God's plan all along was to send the Israelites
a true King in the form of Christ Jesus. This divine King would ultimately fulfill God's intentions
and provide the leadership and salvation that no human king could offer. Thus, the desire for a
human king served as a steppingstone in God's larger plan to reveal His true kingship through
Jesus Christ.
The Examination and Emergence of Kingship in Israel
In conclusion, a thorough examination of the biblical texts, considering both the negative and
positive aspects of kingship, leads to the overall conclusion that God's preference was for the
Israelites to acknowledge Him as their sole King, rather than seeking a human ruler.
Nevertheless, God, in His love for His people, honored their request for a human king. However,
the subsequent events following the appointment of the king they chose for themselves serve as a
powerful revelation that God's ways are ultimately superior, including His rightful role as King
over our lives.
The emergence of kingship in Israel during the 10th century BC can be better understood by
recognizing the underlying social pressures and patterns that influenced this development.
3
Possible motivations for seeking a human king at this time included the threat of war, population
growth, and the need for international trade to sustain a growing population, as seen in the book
of Judges.
2
Robert Alter,
The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel
(New York, NY: W. W. Norton
& Company, 2009), 117.
3
Victor P Hamilton,
Handbook on the Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-
Nehemiah, Esther
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 231.
4
It becomes evident that God allowed the Israelites to have what they desired, even though
their desires were influenced by fear and pressure. Samuel's proclamation, "that ye may perceive
and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking
you a king” (1 Samuel 12:17b), resonates with the conclusion that choosing a human king and
rejecting the divine King who had led, delivered, and protected them since their liberation from
oppressors was a grave mistake. It can be seen as a significant affront to God. Yet, in His
unwavering faithfulness, God still granted their request.
Ultimately, the narrative surrounding kingship in Israel serves as a poignant reminder that
God's divine leadership and sovereignty are unmatched, and His ways are infinitely better than
any human alternatives.
The Connection Concerning Kingship Found in Genesis and Deuteronomy
The Israelites' desire for a king to be like the surrounding nations stemmed from shallow and
questionable motives. They cited Samuel's age and the misconduct of his sons as reasons for
wanting a king. Nevertheless, it's important to note that the mere desire for a king was not
inherently wrong, as God had foreseen that Israel would have a king. This plan was established
400 years earlier when God provided instructions for Israel's future king in Deuteronomy 17:14-
20.
4
The directions in Deuteronomy outlined that when the Israelites entered the land given to
them by Yahweh and desired to have a king like the neighboring nations, they could appoint one.
However, God's criteria included selecting a king from among their own people, not a foreigner.
While God allowed for the appointment of a king, it doesn't necessarily align with His ideal
plan. Other Old Testament passages, such as Genesis 17:6 and Genesis 35:11, indicate that kings
4
Hunziker-RodewaldRégine et al.,
The Book of Samuel and Its Response to Monarchy
(Stuttgart, DE: Kohlhammer
Verlag, 2021), 158.
5
were foreseen in Israel's future. God told Abraham and Jacob that nations and kings would
descend from them, implying that earthly kings were part of God's broader plan.
These Old Testament references from Genesis and Deuteronomy can be viewed as both
positive and negative in relation to the events of 1 Samuel. On one hand, they suggest that God
had always intended for Israel to have earthly kings, deviating from His original intention of
ruling over them through His son, Jesus Christ. On the other hand, they reveal that God
permitted the appointment of a king but may not have seen it as the best option. Overall, these
Scriptures provide valuable context for understanding the complexities of Israel's desire for a
king.
The Depiction of Kingship in 1 Samuel
The concept of kingship in the Bible finds its origins in the early chapters of Genesis but
ultimately culminates with Jesus Christ as the ultimate King.
5
This idea is rooted in Genesis,
specifically in verse 26, where God grants humanity dominion over all creation, including the
animals and the earth. This dominion is further emphasized in verse 28, where God instructs
humanity to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. In these verses, the term
"dominion" implies a responsibility to rule, indicating that Adam and Eve, as the bearers of
God's likeness and image, were tasked with governing over Creation. This role began in the
Garden of Eden but was intended to extend to the entire world, representing God's rule through
humanity.
The author of 1 Samuel presents the concept of kingship in a balanced manner, portraying
both its positive and negative aspects. It would be unfair to label the author's depiction as
predominantly positive or negative because the text effectively conveys the contrasting
5
Victor P Hamilton,
Handbook on the Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-
Nehemiah, Esther
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 235.
6
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motivations and desires of God and the Israelites regarding kingship. These differing
perspectives are clearly illustrated in the narrative.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's worth noting that Samuel himself, a prominent figure in the narrative,
seems to view kingship in a negative manner. The message of 1 Samuel marks the beginning of
Israel's monarchy and aligns with God's promises that kings would emerge from the lineage of
Abraham. While it can be inferred that God might have preferred a different course of events,
one in which He was not rejected as the reigning King, the narrative demonstrates how God used
the unfolding events, including the desire for a human king, to advance His divine purposes.
7
Bibliography
Alter, Robert.
The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel
. New York,
NY: W. W. Norton & Company, 2009.
Hamilton, Victor P.
Handbook on the Historical Books : Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings,
Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther
. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
Hunziker-RodewaldRégine, Sara Kipfer, Walter Dietrich, Thomas Naumann, Mahri Leonard-
Fleckmann, Hulisani Ramantswana, Ian D. Wilson, MüllnerIlse, Hannes Bezzel, and
Benjamin J. M. Johnson.
The Book of Samuel and Its Response to Monarchy
. Stuttgart,
DE: Kohlhammer Verlag, 2021.
8