...writers judged Israel’s leaders and people by the covenant principles in Deuteronomy.”[1] Without a working knowledge and understanding of the writings of Deuteronomy it becomes difficult to understand the context behind the blessings and the curses in which we see the Israelites endure. It is here in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 that we read of the standards by which the Israelite kings will be measured. This passage is the backdrop to the immanent failure of the monarchy. Time and time again we read of how the kings would stray from one or more of the standards found Deuteronomy 17. So, we see that Deuteronomy is foundational for our understanding of the monarchy and how the kings are to behave and govern. One area of importance to notice in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 is that this section deals with the standards of kings. Why would Moses be discussing the standards of kings when the people are not being led by a king? According to James E. Smith, “Moses predicted that sometime after the land was settled the people would request a king.”[2] One of the major pieces to note in this passage is that both the king and people were equal under the Law. This is a key piece to Saul’s downfall which will be discussed later. The Israelites had come a long way from the time God called Abram out of the land of Ur, through the Egyptian captivity, and finally...
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...During the time of Solomon the people of Israel lacked obedience. God as king was no longer good enough. Israel’s lack of obedience caused them to anoint a king that also lacked faith in the Lord. Man is broken and even great leaders have flaws. Israel’s demand for a king ultimately resulted in the division of the kingdom. During the time of Samuel, the people of Israel desire a king. God had promised to provide for the Israelites and in return God asked for obedience and love. Throughout the Old Testament God always provided for the Israelites yet God’s people regularly rejected him. God was no longer valued as king, and the people of Israel asked God to give them a King. In 1 Samuel 8:5 the elders came to Samuel and said “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have (NIV).” Samuel warned the people of Israel that a king would reign over them and claim the people as rights, yet the Israelites neglected to listen. Israel desired a king in flesh to lead them into combat and keep them accountable. All other nations had a King, therefore Israel wanted a king. Samuels spoke to the people, “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day (1 Samuel 8:18)” but his warning fell on deaf ears. God granted the Israelites wish, which was to lead themselves. An ideal king is attractive, tall, strong, with an outstanding battle resume. Saul possessed...
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...he Lord said to Samuel: "Do not weep and mourn any longer over Saul, for I have refused him as king. Fill the horn with oil, and go to Bethlehem in Judah. There find a man named Jesse, for I have chosen a king among his sons." But Samuel knew that Saul would be very angry, if he should learn that Samuel had named any other man as king. He said to the Lord: "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." The Lord said to Samuel: "Take a young cow with you; and tell the people that you have come to make an offering to the Lord. And call Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. I will tell you what to do, and you shall anoint the one whom I name to you." Samuel went over the mountains southward from Ramah to Bethlehem, about ten miles, leading a cow. The rulers of the town were alarmed at his coming, for they feared that he had come to judge the people for some evil-doing. But Samuel said: "I have come in peace to make an offering and to hold a feast to the Lord. Prepare yourselves and come to the sacrifice." And he invited Jesse and his sons to the service. When they came, he looked at the sons of Jesse very closely. The oldest was named Eliab, and he was so tall and noble-looking that Samuel thought: "Surely this young man must be the one whom God has chosen." But the Lord said to Samuel: "Do not look on his face, nor on the height of his body, for I have not chosen him. Man judges by the outward looks, but God looks at the heart." Then Jesse's second...
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...fable, trees try to decude who will be king, the olive, fid and grape vine decline as they will have good work to do, only the bramble wants to be the king, purseus it with force. Jephthah For Gilead, operates in the Transjordan against the Ammonites- contract that if successful then we will be made a ruler After success in battle to, promises to sacrifice first person to come out of house- clearly implies human sacrifice- ends up sacrificing daughter (study of heroic faith) Samson Birth announced by angel, set aside as nazirite, thus no wine, strong drink, never cut hair, purity YHWHspirit of the lord is simply strength, martial zeal; there is no concern for national unity, covenant exodus tradition Last four chapters 17-21> in those days there was no king, slowly building the case for a king Two major concerns- first the reolocation of the tribe of dan, the second Is the conflict between tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel Stories include episodes of grisly murder and profanity, to demonstrate without intervention of YHWH, there can only be chaos- the time for the king has come. CH11 First Samuel In Hebrew, the two books of Samuel were grouped together, only in Greek and Latin translations are they separate, the Greek preserves older version of Text, the old version in Hebrew is now lost 1 Samuel covers the transition from Judges to the monarchy, the rise of David after the brief and traffic reign of Saul; the prophet Samuel mediates the story Tension between...
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...Israelites ask Samuel for a king is because they felt as though all the other nations had a King, so why didn’t they. Samuel tried to talk the Israelites out of wanting a king, Samuel felt that the king would put to many problems on the nation. The Israelites wanted a king only to fight their battles for them. The Israelites felt that Samuel was old and that his sons were not sufficient because they did not follow orders of the Lord. Even though Samuel was displeased because he knew that this would also displease God, but he still prayed to the Lord on their behalf. Israel’s asking for a King Infuriated God because God had created the nation unique, and set them apart from all the others and he felt as though they wanted to be like everyone else. Saul was chosen by God not the people. Saul was a Godly man; he was a very good looking man of his time. In 1 Samuel 15 in the message bible we read that God had told Samuel that he would be ending a man from Benjamin. God had told Samuel to anoint Saul as prince over the Israelites. Saul had made some really poor decisions, that caused his kingdom to go down. The spirit of God had left Saul and demonic forces had come over him. Our book points out that that Saul had was, usurpation of his priestly functions (Yates, 2010). This made God unpleased so he would remove Saul from being king. Saul’s insubordinate to take out the Amalekites is what caused Yahweh to reject Saul as being king. David was God choice to be the next king. With the Sprit’s...
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...then points us, to the book of 1 Samuel showing how God transitioned His covenanted nation away from the failing theocratic administration under the tribal judges toward the theocratic administration of the united monarchy; thus the era of the reign of kings were born (Hinson and Yates 2012:162). Samuel the righteous judge of Israel is raised up to serve during a time when the nation was declining both morally and politically. The priesthood was corrupt and the hearts of the people were far from God. The Philistine oppression was great and had wrought a great slaughter among them. It was Samuel whom God used to ultimately usher the nation back to Him. “So the Israelites put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only. Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you. So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, we have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.” (1 Sam 7:4-6 AMP). Now as Samuel began to age, he appointed his two sons as judges over Israel, but they did not possess the righteousness of Samuel. They were wicked in their dealings, were out for gain, took bribes and perverted justice. The elders of the Israel brought this to Samuels’s attention, and then asked for a king to rule over them, like all of the other nations. Although there was truth to the wickedness of the sons of Samuel, the real motive behind Israel’s request...
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... There was no king or legal authority in Israel and the people acted on what they thought was right and wrong. “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Samuel was Israel’s spiritual leader (priest), a prophet, and the last and most effective of the judges. God used Samuel to assist in the change of Israel’s government from a system of judges to kings. Samuel judged Israel until his death, saved them from the Philistines, and led them back to God. However, when Samuel grew old, he started appointing his sons as judges but they were corrupt (1 Samuel 8:1). All of the elders of Israel got together and concluded that a change in government was necessary so they went to Samuel and demanded a king. The people of Israel desired a king for several reasons: 1) Samuel was old and his sons were not fit to lead; 2) They hoped that having a king would unite the 12 tribes into one nation and one army because each tribe had their own leader and their own territory; and 3) The people wanted to be like the other nations (1 Samuel 8:4-5). Samuel was disappointed at the people’s request for a king because it showed that they rejected God as their leader and that they rejected him as their judge. God told Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Samuel went to the people...
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...Kings of a Unified Israel Bible 105-B27 LUO: Old Testament Survey 201320 Spring 2013 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx L33333333 Liberty University February 9, 2013 Kings of a Unified Israel Samuel was the last of the Judges. He was the bridge between the dark and chaotic period of the Judges to the glorious era of the Kings (Hester, 1962). He was called by God to be Judge, Priest, and Prophet for Israel. When Samuel had aged greatly, the people began to crave a new government. They want their own King. They did not understand that God was their King. They were spiritually dead. Fear was one reason for wanting a King. The leading men of Israel felt that their security demanded a strong military leader (Hester, 1962). Another reason was that of simple jealousy. Other nations had a King, so they wanted one as well. They desired the splendor of royalty to be observed in one man that would represent Israel. Samuel tried to warn them of what a King would do to their lives, and told them that God was their King, but it was ignored. Samuel took their request and repeated it to the Lord. God answered, “Listen to them, and give them a king.” (I Samuel 8:22, NIV). Instead of being set apart as a nation for God, they coveted what other nations had. They rejected God. Samuel was now searching for a man that God chose and would send to him. When Samuel caught sight of Saul the Lord said, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people” (I Samuel 9:17, NIV). Unaware...
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...Kings of a Unified Israel Bible 105-B27 LUO: Old Testament Survey 201320 Spring 2013 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx L33333333 Liberty University February 9, 2013 Kings of a Unified Israel Samuel was the last of the Judges. He was the bridge between the dark and chaotic period of the Judges to the glorious era of the Kings (Hester, 1962). He was called by God to be Judge, Priest, and Prophet for Israel. When Samuel had aged greatly, the people began to crave a new government. They want their own King. They did not understand that God was their King. They were spiritually dead. Fear was one reason for wanting a King. The leading men of Israel felt that their security demanded a strong military leader (Hester, 1962). Another reason was that of simple jealousy. Other nations had a King, so they wanted one as well. They desired the splendor of royalty to be observed in one man that would represent Israel. Samuel tried to warn them of what a King would do to their lives, and told them that God was their King, but it was ignored. Samuel took their request and repeated it to the Lord. God answered, “Listen to them, and give them a king.” (I Samuel 8:22, NIV). Instead of being set apart as a nation for God, they coveted what other nations had. They rejected God. Samuel was now searching for a man that God chose and would send to him. When Samuel caught sight of Saul the Lord said, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people” (I Samuel 9:17, NIV). Unaware...
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...to receive God’s blessings. The book of Judges describes the cycle of the Israelites forsaking God and then Him raising up judges to bring them to repentance. After this time of uprising, and sorrow, the cycle would begin again. Just like the situation of Israel, Christians have the opportunity to set themselves apart from others. In my opinion, it is of utmost importance to look to God for leadership, and to learn from the lives of others, like Saul, David, and Solomon. It is common, in the human experience, to look for leadership. This was the case of the Israelites during the time of the prophet Samuel, who lived during the time of the Judges. In the fifth verse of the book of 1 Samuel chapter eight, the people of Israel said to Samuel , “….Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have” (Holman Christian Standard Bible). God’s chosen people, in this verse, made it known that they desired to be like everyone else. God gave the nation of Israel what they desired and told Samuel, “Appoint a king for them” (1 Sam 8:22). The reasoning behind why peoples may choose their leader is not infallible. For example, sometimes a leader may be chosen because his physical appearance is more appealing than his competitor. This was proven during the televised debates of Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. During the debates people found Nixon unattractive, and therefore unappealing, and this was just the opposite for John F. Kennedy, who was young and handsome...
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...And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5) This was saying that as long as the Israelites had Gods as their king and followed His commands then they would prosper. That is why, during the time of Samuel, God was angered when the people wanted a king on earth; God knew none of the kings chosen would guide the Israelites as they should be and would eventually bring on destruction. Throughout Israel’s history God had provided for them, such as when He provided mana for them to eat while they wandered through the desert. Time and time again the Israelites had chosen to go their own way instead of following the orders God gave. This cycle occurred again during the time of Samuel. During this time the people said, “Give us a king to judge us.” (Samuel 8:6) Even after Samuel had advised the people against having a king appointed, they decided that their way ultimately better than God’s way. God did not fight them, even though He knew the destruction that it would bring, instead He did what they asked. God had a plan for Israel, but the people had decided that God’s way was not efficient enough and that they knew how to govern themselves more efficiently. Saul was everything the Israelites could have wanted in a king; he was tall, good looking, and would triumph in many battles. When Saul first became king he followed God’s...
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...as opposed to only one * Deuteronomistic History – the idea that Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings were all one text * Retribution Theory – good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds are punished * Covenant – conditional promise * Hazor – northern kingdom that God told the Israelites to defeat when they entered the promised land * Transjordan – “beyond the Jordan” * Jericho – * Rahab: Israel sent two spies into Jericho who were protected by Rahab. The spies then promise her that if she distinguishes her house from the others, her family will be spared just as she spared their lives. * The Battle: Israel marched around the city every day for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times, the priests blew their trumpets, and the walls fell down. * Joshua – * Main character of the book of Joshua * About 60 years old * Loyal, obedient, committed/courageous * Amphictyony – a league of states or tribes that took part in a cult (Delphic League) * Othniel – First judge, model leader * Deborah – female judge, prophetess, settled disputes * Gideon – succeeds despite being fearful * Jephthah – made a foolish vow to the Lord before going to battle, had to sacrifice his daughter to God because of his victory * Samson – arrogant/self-centered * Samuel – * Early Life * Birth – Divine intervention: mother was barren, made a promise to God...
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...Summary of the Old Testament Starting with the book of Genesis uses narrative form to tell us God created the universe. God then created man. He created man from his own image. There was Adam and Eve. They were supposed to populate the land and they both disobeyed God words by not listening. Exodus only the first part of the book is a narrative. The genre changes the law in verse 20. The narration picks up 400 years later after Jacob moved to Egypt. God used a burning bush to speak to Moses and inform him that he is the one to deliver the Israelites out of bondage. Moses did not think he could convince the Israelites and Pharaoh that this was God’s command. Moses confronted Pharaoh with ten plagues. The 10th plague began the Passover ritual. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and to Mt Sinai. When they reached Mt. Sinai, God gave the people his commandments or laws. The law taught the Israelites how to have a relationship with God and each other. Leviticus Leviticus uses the genre of law. Israelites are told how and why to have sacrificial offerings. These offerings are broken into three categories. Consecratory offerings were used to dedicate a person or thing to God. Expiatory offering were acknowledge sin. Communal offering were a way for communities to celebrate their thankfulness to God. Numbers Numbers is both the book of narrative and law. Per God’s instructions, Moses took a census of all the Israelites. This help organized them by their...
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...book of Genesis was Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Abraham was considered to be the “Father of Faith and Nations.” Isaac was Abraham and Sarah’s second son and the promise seed from God. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twelve tribes of Israel came from his loins. Joseph was Jacob’s and Rachel’s first son and he was considered the favored son of all his brothers and was given the coat of many colors. The book of Genesis, should be studied by everyone that desires to learn about history and the beginning of all mankind. Person: King David The birth of David took place in the town of Bethlehem on 1040 BC and he died on 970 BC in Israel. David's parents were Jesse and Nitzevet. As a child, David was a shepherd boy and he loved to watch and care for the sheep. One of David's most memorable moments was when, he killed and lion and a bear in his youth, due to the lion and the bear, attacking the sheep he watched. David was a skilled warrior and became...
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...King David- A Man After God’s Own Heart Wisconsin Lutheran College ADU-302 Servant Leadership 08/09/2012 Jason Flejter King David was an extremely influential person in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic doctrine and will always be considered a pillar in the foundation of all three cultures. King David was known for being “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). He has been portrayed as not only a righteous King, but as a shepherd, noble warrior and poet as well. He is accredited with many of the psalms in the Holy Bible and is best known for reuniting the people of Israel. Character Traits Displayed by David David was born the youngest child of Jesse, a descendant from the tribe of Judah. Being the youngest child, David grew up with little respect from his siblings. As a shepherd attending his family’s flock David learned to be brave and courageous. “When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Samuel 17: 34-37). It is with character trait by the blessing of God that David faced and defeated Goliath. While David is best known...
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