Samuel's Controversy

Samuel changed as he went along his journey. He became a leader, he had hunted for food for his family but that didn’t make him as much of a leader as he would become. He ate at a family’s house for dinner one night, and Hessian came and killed the family except a girl named Annie who was younger than him. She went with Samuel since he was the only person she knew, for example later in the book she says “He is all I got” (123). Samuel was a leader

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.

First, the earlier form of government was the confederation of the Israelite tribes. The Israelites believe that they could what they believe was right and worship just Yahweh. “11Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Elohim and worshiped the Baals; 12and they abandoned the Elohim, the Yahweh of their ancestors, who brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them, and bowed down to them; and they provoked the Elohim to anger. (Judges2:11- 12n)” When they acted in such a disobedience way, the following three things followed in a divine punishment, which led to repentance and finally deliverance . The Judge was involved in the process of deliverance.

The Lord commanded the prophet, Samuel, to go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem and anoint one of his sons as Saul’s successor. When he arrived to Jesse’s house, he learned that Jesse had eight sons. Samuel asked Jesse to bring forth his sons so that he could consecrate them to the Lord. Jesse brought the oldest ones proudly, hoping that one of them was the one Samuel was seeking for. However, all of them were not chosen by the Lord, for the Lord did not look at the appearance of them, but gazed on the heart. As Samuel rejected all the sons that Jesse had brought forth, he asked Jesse if he had any additional sons. Jesse then summons up his youngest son, David, who was out tending to the sheep. When David stood before Samuel, the Lord instructed Samuel to anoint David as Israel’s succeeding king.

Saul bridged that chasm well as he was chosen by Yahweh primarily as a defender of his nation against continual threat from invasion. Nevertheless the introduction of the monarchy did not occur without criticism despite the subtle

Part 1: Question #1 – Is there something new that I’ve learned in my study of this part of 1 Samuel?

Though Samuel and God are initially displeased with the Israelites need for a king (Samuel 1 8:1-5), God grants permission noting that the people are ultimately rejecting God himself (Samuel 1 8:6-8). God tells Samuel who should be king, thus appointing Saul as king. Samuel notes that God will not punish the Israelites for requesting a king as long as they’re obedient to His laws. However Saul disobeys God as he tries to rush into battle with a ritual war sacrifice without the aid of a priest (Samuel 1 13:8-11). Saul seems to be more focused on human customs rather than remaining righteous with religious matters – a tragic flaw. Samuel informs Saul that God is going to choose another man to be king of Israel (Samuel 1 13:14), thus eventually

The books of 1-2 Samuel formed from the transition from the era of judges to the era of kings. The book of Judges introduces the long years of Israel’s struggle to maintain control of the Promised Land from the death of Joshua until the rise of the kings. The book of Judges proves that a “Judge” could only partially administer, and a king was needed who could more effectively fulfil the roles and duties. Not only king is capable of fulfilling duties, which is shown during the time of Samuel. Only a king that is appointed and favored by god, and who honored Gods covenant would succeed. Each one of the three kings showed qualities of strength and weaknesses that made each of their time as king unique. They all faced trials and tribulations, and there faith was tested within the covenant, to see if they could lead under god, and still stay honest, and true. You’ll see within the stories of the Kings, were lack of obedience and love for god, will lead to disaster, and punishment, while obedience will lead to blessings. Also, true repentance will lead to forgiveness. Everyone is subject to sin, that’s in our nature, it’s how you respond once you sin that will determine your fate with god.

The Lord called Samuel to be the first of Israel’s great prophets at time when much of Israel was in a state of disunity. As the people called for a king to control the land, Samuel would serve as the last of the Judges and a link between God and His people. Samuel’s mother, Hannah, was originally declared barren, but was granted a son after praying to God begging for a child. Hannah promised God that if she was given a child that the baby would serve the Lord in his life. Thus, Hannah gave Samuel to a priest named Eli (Bible).

A case could very easily have been made against King David for his selfish and hasty actions. So we come to the question, “Why was David not rejected by the Lord as King Saul was before him?” Though it seems to be a loaded question, the answer is could be summed up in one word, repentance.

Solomon loved the Lord, as did his father, King David and followed closely in his footsteps by diligently keeping the precepts and statutes of God. In honor of Solomon’s acts of obedience, praise and worship, God saw fit to bless Solomon by granting him a request. I Kings 3:5 tells the story, “In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, ask what I shall give thee” (KJV). A wide open door given through which Solomon could walk, a blank check to write, so to speak. Solomon’s selfless request related in verse 9 was this, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (KJV).

1 Samuel chapters 13- 15 tells a story of Saul and provides a window into the character in Saul’s comfort zone of a war. In this pericope Saul is painted as a king of the people rather then a king of God. This disassociation from the one who allowed him to become king forms the crux of the conflict and brings trials upon Saul where his true character is revealed. In the march from tragic hero to villain in the development of Saul chapters 13-15 show a clear transition point. My moving towards disobedience Saul makes a move father from God and is left with the consequences of such an action.

The people demand a king, even after Samuel’s warning from the Lord; the Lord allows

The explanation behind why Samuel ought to be portrayed as a lord creator is on account of God called him to be. Samuel is the one that received notification from God at a youthful that he would replace Eli. That is the point at which he saw Saul and felt that he would be the one to be lord of Israel. He's the king breaker since Samuel saw that Saul truly wasn't a correct fit to be king since he was eager and Samuel reproached him, that he resisted

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.