Content Essay Assignment 1 Samuel

.docx

School

Liberty University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

515

Subject

Religion

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

8

Uploaded by QuinnLaw24

Report
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).
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help