Samuel And God: The Israelites Need For A King

He was from the tribe of Judah, fulfilling the Messianic line. Samuel anointed David secretly and the Spirit of God came powerfully upon David. “Samuel’s anointing of David, as well as the Spirit’s empowerment of him made clear that David represented God’s choice as king” (Hindson & Yates, 476). David completely placed his faith in God and displayed his faith when he went against Goliath. David did not take any weapons except a sling and stones to kill Goliath. David knew that God was on his side and God will fight this battle. “For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). With God, he succeeded in killing Goliath and won the victory for the Israelites. Saul became angry and jealous towards David and ultimately banished David from Israel. King Saul and his men chased David and tried to kill him, however, God’s hand of provision was over David. Several times, David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but he spared him. This act of sparing contributes to David’s heart for God. David finally reigned in Israel and still had a heart for God. Even when his transgressions and trials came, David still loved God and asked for repentance of his sins. God made a covenant with David to bless him and his offspring. He promised to an establish eternal kingdom, which is ultimately given to Christ. “The promise of a permanent dynasty is fulfilled in Christ, the ‘son of David’, who will sit

David’s personal strife continued when his son Amnon raped Tamar, Amnon’s half-sister. Absalom, who was David’s son and Tamar’s brother, then killed Amnon. Absalom fled, but David could not stop thinking about him. Finally, Joab convinced David to allow Absalom to return. Absalom was a handsome man and became popular with the people of Israel. Then, 40 years after Samuel had anointed David king, Absalom, along with 200 men,

In 2 Samuel the narrative shifts to the reign of David as he rises above Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to become the king, first of Judah and then of all the tribes of Israel (5:1–4). The book records David’s wars of conquest including the capture of Jerusalem and the relocation of the ark of the covenant to the City of David (6:1–19). But the author also records David’s failures: his adultery with Bathsheba (11:1–26), Absalom’s rebellion (15:1–18:30), Sheba’s revolt (20:1–26), and the disastrous census (24:1–25). Like all the prophetic writers, the author presents a portrait of his historical figures from the perspective of their faithfulness to God’s covenant.

He shows he is weak and not ready to lead. (1 Samuel 9:21). Saul even hides when he is supposed to show himself to the Israelites as the chosen King (1 Samuel 11: 22). Although Saul knows that he cannot lead, he has no choice, he has to follow the Lord’s order. At last, God realizes that Saul was indeed not a leader-type person and chooses another person. God must have known that people are not forced to be leaders, but they themselves should be aware of the ability to be leaders.

31 " The Philistines slayed the Israelites and Saul's sons died " Then Saul died " The Philistines conquered the Israelites and Paraded Saul's body around so that people knew he was dead and then burnt him and his sons, then buried them under a tree in Jabesh Compare: There are many comparisons between Samuel and Eli in the book of Samuel. Both belonged to the tribe of Levi and served the Lord as priests. Despite having a close relationship with God, both men struggled to raise their kids. Eli's sons, Phinehas and Hophni, acted in shameful ways.

Saul was the ideal king the Israelites desired. David was the king Israel needed. David was not tall or handsome but he was a man of God. When David defeated Goliath, not only did he fully trust God, David gave all the glory of his victory to God. David possessed the vital attribute that Saul never had, obedience to God. David trusted in God’s timing and plan. Despite David having the opportunity to kill Saul and reign over Israel , David continued to follow God's commands. In 1 Samuel 24:19-20 Saul said to David after spearing his life, “ When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands (NIV).” Unlike Saul David was obedient to God. God rewarded David for his obedience by anointing him King and later

King David wrestled with sin, such as adultery, family disorder, and rebellion on a national level, however he also experienced great accomplishments as well. One great achievement was the unification of Israel. "Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, "We are all members of your family. For a long time, even while Saul was our King, you were the one who really led Israel. And the Lord has told you, "You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be their leader" (2 Samuel 5:3). It is here that David makes a covenant with the leaders and becomes anointed as the

Saul perused David looking to kill him but God continued to protect David. When given the chance, David refused to kill Saul in the cave of En Gedi. Even after Saul’s death David treated Saul with the respect deserving of one of the Lord’s anointed.

As David gained too much fame, Saul became jealous and plotted to kill David. However, as Saul and his sons neared their death, David was finally able to become king. During his reign, David conquered more land, forced tribute, and required high taxes in order to expand Jerusalem and its empire. After David’s death, his son Solomon became king.

When David arrived at the battle field, he was surprised to see the men fearfully hiding in the shadows to escape the giant. Rightfully confused at the sight, David interrogated the Israelite soldiers and was disappointed when he concluded that the Israelites were cowards. David was a fearless man who continually and significantly depended on God as his protector and provider. He quickly confronted King Saul concerning the matter and came to a solution in which he would fight Goliath. His inaptitude was apparent but his innate sense of courage was inscrutable. Reluctantly, King Saul complied and after much debate, agreed that David would face the giant with nothing but a sling shot and five stones. David approached the battlefield and with one motion, flung the sling around quickly. The stone then slipped from the cloth and flew through the air at an incredible speed. With astonishing precision, the stone hit the monster’s forehead with great impact, causing the skull to shatter and cave in on itself killing the beast immediately. Then, standing upon the giant’s dead corps, David sliced the beast head off using the philistine’s sword. Upon seeing this, the philistines fled in a stampede from the battle field, leaving God’s chosen people as

The most notable example is his affair with Bathsheba, whom he saw bathing upon the rooftops one night. David knew that Bathsheba was marrie to Uriah, one of his military leaders. But he nevertheless sent for her and committed adultery with her, and from this sin a child was conceived. At first, David tried to cover his indiscretion and bade Uriah to go to his wife in the hopes that they would lie together and the baby might be passed off as Uriah's. However, when Uriah refused to go to his wife, David had him killed, and took Bathsheba to be his own wife. As a result of these sins, God was greatly displeased with David, and punished him with the death of his first son. Like his father before him, King Solomon also had troubles with women; namely that he married too many of them. Though God granted him with wisdom beyond all other men, Solomon fell to the sins of the flesh. According to 1 Kings 11:1, he loved "many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites." These were women from tribes whom God had expressly forbidden the Israelites from mixing with for the purposes that they were tribes who worshipped false gods and idols, and would surely turn the Israelites away from their faith in the One True God. Samuel had "seven hundred wives,

However, Saul is soon abandoned by God because of his disobediences. Yet, Saul’s disobedience is controversial. Patricia K. Tull, the author of “1 and 2 Samuel” in Theological Bible Commentary, argues, “Saul’s exact offense is unclear, and commentators struggle to reconstruct it, augmenting the impression that he was given a test with no correct choices.” In contrast, Marvin Sweeney, the professor of the Hebrew Bible in Claremont School of Theology, asserts, “Although the narrative can hardly be considered anti-monarchic, it takes care to raise concerns about the character of kingship and its costs to the nation at large and it demands that proper kingship in Israel must be exercised in accordance with the divine will.” In this view, Saul has not been accorded with God’s will. Then, is this God’s intentional choice? If it is true, why he does this? If God did not choose Saul as the king, it would be possible that he is not deserted from God. Bible

David had other children; Absalom, Tamar, and Amnon. Amnon became infatuated with his half-sister and raped her, which infuriated Absalom to the point that he killed Amnon. Absalom received forgiveness and was allowed to return to Jerusalem, at which

We have heard the story of David and Bathsheba many, many times before; but have you ever thought of King David (man after God’s own heart) as being a sinful and wicked

God told Samuel to locate the right person to be Israel’s first king. Well, he looked at a lot of people; God guiding him all the time. And finally he selected Saul. Saul was just a boy, but he was a tall, striking and modest young man.