why did god give israel a king

1. WHY DID KING SAUL DIE? A key part of the conditional covenant between God and Israel was obedience. Israel was "getting dirty" by depending on a man more than God. So God gave them their hearts’ desire in King Saul. In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God gave the qualifications for a king. God's Qualifications For Israel's King. This desire was not new. Deuteronomy 17:14 said Israel would have a king “like all the nations” surrounding Israel had a king. They want to be their own ruler. But there shall be 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). Every organization must have a leader, so God lays down instructions as to how the leader should conduct himself in office. Even the ideal king, David, had his moral failings. But God allowed Saul to remain as king for several years, even after He had chosen David to replace him. Israel had reason to be concerned over Samuel as judge because of his appointment of his rebellious sons as leaders in Israel. By demanding a king, Israel rejected Yahweh as king. 2. Samuel later anointed Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). Israel rejected Yahweh, and He gave them exactly what they asked for. A king would “take” their things—their sons and daughters, their produce, their servants, and their flock (1 Samuel 8:11-18). Israel already had a true Judge and King in Yahweh. The King the People Wanted. After Saul died, David became king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). The nation, in 930 B.C., then suddenly split into two distinct entities with unique ruling dynasties. And his line of kings was no all-star lineup. The reason why God initially anointed Saul who was not from the tribe of Judah, was because the whole idea of anointing then a King was against God's will. In my next post I’ll consider how God could call David a “man after my own heart.” Kingship in Israel was supposed to be different from kingship in the surrounding nations. The Hebrew for “take” (לקח, lakach) is used four times in this section (8:11, 13, 14, 16). Yahweh instructed Samuel to obey the people, “for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Israel’s request for a king displeased Samuel (literally, it was “evil in the eyes of Samuel”), and he prayed to Yahweh (1 Samuel 8:6). You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother (Deuteronomy 17:14-15). Jesus is not like the kings of the nations. The emphasis in 1 Samuel 8 is on Israel’s desire to be like the other nations. The question seems not so much to be that both men sinned, but in the nature of the offence committed. by Shawn Brasseaux. But God used this rejection as the very means of salvation. In 1 Samuel 8, Israel wants to install a king to make them like other nations. All contributed content represents the views of the contributor and does not necessarily represent the views of KnowingScripture.com. Saul’s family and the northern tribes of Israel refused to accept David as king even though God had chosen him. KnowingScripture.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Israel’s Disobedience Let us recall the things that God had told the Children of Israel to do, which they did in spite of His warnings. First, the king was to be an Israelite (17:15). Leithart is skilled at identifying themes and types throughout the Bible (though he makes some connections that may be a stretch). Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul. Ammonites. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. Yet this was not good enough for the people of Israel. October 19, 2015. Just as God could rule His people through a prophet, He could rule his people through a king. He does not take from His own people, but gives them gifts, the greatest of which is eternal life. It seems certain that Yahweh would have given Israel a king at some point. Though Samuel is contrasted with Eli in other ways, Samuel and Eli both raised wicked sons. He loves free will that much! I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. They did not consider the role of judge, which God had given Israel, to be enough for them. And now Israel rejected Yahweh by revolting against Samuel. Unlike many commentaries, this book is enjoyable to read straight through. Samuel made a serious mistake when he made his wicked sons, Joel and Abijah, judges in Israel (1 Samuel 8:1). Finally king. The king did in fact “save” Israel from their enemies (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1; 2 Samuel 3:18). a) Each tribe, separately, did not have its own king. Early in his career, Saul made a fatal mistake. Because they had already turned away from Him. ‘Everyone did what was right in his own eyes’ (Judges 21:25), instead of seeking the will of God. Instead of turning to the Lord, Israel traded Yahweh for an earthly king out of fear of the serpent. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body (Genesis 35:11). Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. When did God decide to remove Saul, Israel's first king, and raise up David in his place? God chose the Israelites (the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) for a special purpose. Idolatry was rampant. For a few centuries there was no king. God brought Israel victory over the Philistines and peace between Israel and the Amorites, all under the judgeship of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:13-14). Israel was formerly ruled by judges—the 12 judges in the Book of Judges and then Eli and Samuel (1 Samuel 4:18; 7:15-17). Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. However, Israel sinned in their demand for a king. Israel’s sinful demand meant that the kingship would be a judgment on them for rejecting Yahweh. Saul, Israel’s first king, did in fact lead them in victory over Nahash (1 Samuel 11). And “the hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel” (1 Samuel 7:13). In asking for a king who would judge them, God gave Israel exactly what they asked for—an earthly king who would seek his own. They wanted to be like other nations around them and have a king. Israel’s monarchy makes it even clearer that Israel needed Yahweh as king. In this post I’ll look at why God rejected Saul as king. b) Each tribe did not have its own unique body of law. Discipleship Through Preaching the Whole Counsel of God, ARK OF THE COVENANT symbolic of God's presence, GOOD WORKS result not the reason for salvation, HOLY SPIRIT changes the believer's nature, HOLY SPIRIT dependence on necessary for victory, HOLY SPIRIT enables obedience to God's law, HOLY SPIRIT frees believers from the law of sin and death, HOLY SPIRIT sanctifies and secures believers, HOMOSEXUALITY condemned throughout Scripture, JUSTIFICATION distinct from sanctification, PROPITIATION understanding of by the Philistines, SABBATH warning about travel during the Tribulation, SANCTIFICATION cannot be separated from justification, SANCTIFICATION conformity to the image of Christ, SANCTIFICATION distinct from justification, SIN acknowledgement of necessary for salvation, SLAVERY TO GOD believer's reason for holy living, SODOM judged for homosexuality not inhospitality, TRIBULATION warnings about travel in winter and on the Sabbath, WINTER warning about travel during the Tribulation, WRATH OF ABANDONMENT Old Testament examples of. After that, God gave kings to Israel, but many of them did not serve the Lord. But there shall be 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). God had created Israel as a unique people. And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world" (Tennyson) Introductory. This was seen with the golden calf in Exodus, the wilderness wanderings in Numbers, and the rebellions throughout Judges. Instead, the tribes shared a common heritage of law, that given by God through Moses at Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19:20ff). The elders of Israel came to Samuel at his home in Ramah and said, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Why did Israel want a king? God redeemed the monarchy and brought it into His covenant, seen in the promised Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-16). Why did God give them a King, then? Israel Demands a King … 5 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Israel’s king was not to be considered divine. The Bible teaches that God, who reigns over all the earth (Psalm 47), is also in a special sense the king of the people of Israel. When Israel sought a king, as God said they would, to be like the other nations, they did a great evil. God continued, “According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving others gods, so they are also doing to you” (1 Samuel 8:8). In his farewell speech, Samuel reveals that Israel demanded a king when Nahash (“serpent” in Hebrew) the king of the Ammonites came against them (1 Samuel 12:12). Their sinful request would eventually be God's way of saving them. This is most clear in 1 Samuel 8:20, where Israel says they will be like the nations in that their king may “judge” them and “fight” their battles. The Lord Jesus Christ is the true King of Israel. Illustrating the old adage, “be careful what you wish for because you just might get it,” the Lord responded to the pleas of the Israelites to give them a king … Second, the king must not acquire many horses (17:16a). The Bible gives us several reasons for ancient Israel’s request, and it shows not only why this desire was sinful, but also, how the fulfillment of Israel’s desire has been causing much pain and suffering for Israel and all of mankind… God gave Israel the monarchy, and after the failings of Saul, He chose His own king, David, to lead Israel. The main reason why Israel wanted a king was to be “like all the other nations” (Hindson and Yates 2012). Yet as Samuel says, Israel demanded a king “when Yahweh your God was your king” (1 Samuel 12:12). God told Samuel to obey Israel and make them a king, and Samuel told the men of Israel to go to their cities (1 Samuel 8:22). In their wickedness of a request for a human king God would send a perfect King who would be born many years later. However, Israel’s sinful motives and impatience were not outside of God’s sovereign control. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and He did this by dying on a cross for our sin. However, Israel’s sinful motives and impatience were not outside of God’s sovereign control. And Israel wanted a king to fight their battles, despite the fact that Yahweh fought their battles for them. So, God gave Israel exactly what she wanted. Solomon violated all three of these prohibitions in 1 Kings 11:1-8, thus proving himself to be the paradigmatic bad king. They are designed to ensure that the king does not elevate himself above the people and rule as a despot. His sons “did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. The people “refused to obey the voice of Samuel” and said, “No! They took bribes and perverted justice” (1 Samuel 8:3). Perhaps you wonder why God allows certain things to happen in the world, even bad things. This meant the king would belong to the people who recognized the authority of God. Israel’s monarchy makes it even clearer that Israel needed Yahweh as king. He had brought them out of Egypt from under the wicked king Pharaoh many years before and had proved to them that He was their God. Despite God’s warnings, they were adamant — enough with this judge stuff; give us a king! (1 Samuel 8), Covenantal Sex: How Sexual Union Makes, Breaks, or Renews the Marriage Covenant. As to why God was angry at David, in those times, a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him. But Israel lacked patience. However, it did not say Israel was to have a king in order to to become like the nations. It was only after the fact that the people realized they had committed a great “evil” (1 Samuel 12:17, 19). Sometimes it is thought that the very concept of kingship in Israel was bad, but this does not fit with other texts of Scripture. Israel rejected Yahweh, and He gave them exactly what they asked for. David was young when God chose him to be the next king. JEHOVAH God said in Hosea 13:11, speaking of events that happened centuries prior: “I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.”This “king” is Saul, David’s predecessor. First Samuel 8 marks a significant transition in Israel’s history. Outside of a few exceptions, Israel’s kings were wicked and oppressive. Your sinful decisions will end in disaster but God will give you your way if you insist. David committed adultery and even murder. Then in due time, God sent the king He had planned to send all along, the greater David, to reign over Israel (Matthew 1:1; 22:42). Instead of “serving” Yahweh (1 Samuel 7:4), Israel would become “slaves” to their king (1 Samuel 8:17). God planned for that evil. No! As for motive, Israel wanted a king in order to be “like all the nations.”. These King's of Israel were to lead by example in their reverence for God and not indulge in immoral behavior that would lead all of Israel to go astray. Israel wanted to be “like everyone else”—like their Gentile neighbors who had kings. The tribes had little political autonomy. God sent prophets, but most often the people did not repent and return to Him. That means He is in control of all things. A good example of this comes from the Book of Joshua: And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because Yahweh God of Israel fought for Israel (Joshua 10:42). Like all sinners, descendants of Adam are no different today. (NET translates this “policies” and KJV “manner”). (Both “serve” and “slave” come from the Hebrew word עבד, eved.) The result was that they got a king who was ideal in the eyes of man: tall, strong, and brave. Solomon appointed "twelve governors over all Israel" (I Kings 4:7). For further study on 1 and 2 Samuel, I strongly recommend A Son to Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel by Peter Leithart. Saul, as God's anointed king, was responsible for keeping that command. He promised kingship to the patriarchs, saying that “kings” would come from them. So kingship was not a bad thing, and it was expected that God would give Israel a king in due time. Furthermore, God gave instructions for a king in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. But this raises a question—why was Israel’s request for a king sinful? However, the people did not listen and insisted on a king. However, there was also a problem with the timing of the king. Activity: King Demands vs. God Demands-print out the linked pages. God is sovereign. Israel had sinful motives in demanding a king, as they wanted to be like the other nations instead of the holy (set apart) nation that Yahweh had made them (Exodus 19:6). 1. Of course, liberal scholars say this was written after the monarchy arose in Israel. Making matters even worse, Yahweh had fought Israel’s battles under the leadership of Samuel! One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. Why Did Ancient Israel Ask for a King? In many ways, the monarchy was a judgment upon Israel. He offered them an opportunity to become the model nation of His way of life for all nations, so that all people could have His blessings. In verses 24 and 25 Ezekiel writes: “And my servant David shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in mine ordinances, and observe my statutes, and do them. She did not want God ruling over her as King. Rembrandt, King Saul (detail) These are excellent questions. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Sam 8:4-5 ESV). The nation whose God was to be the Lord alone was envious of … 7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. However, Israel rejected Samuel and demanded a king, making Samuel the last judge of Israel. Yahweh came to earth in the form of a man, taking on human flesh. "He was king over Jeshurun when the leaders of the people assembled, along with the tribes of Israel," we read in Deuteronomy 33:5 (NIV).. Because the ancient Israelites had a divine king, they did not necessarily require a human ruler. And Scripture says throughout that it was Yahweh who “fought for Israel” and gave them victory in battle (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; 3:22; 20:4; Joshua 10:14, 42; 23:3; Nehemiah 4:20). Yet it came about through sin (just like the crucifixion of Jesus was planned for and came about through sin). Moreover, if this were the case, one would expect more specific (and negative) language in Deuteronomy 17 following that of 1 Samuel 8. God not only knew Israel would want a king, but He permitted it. Why did Saul's sins lead to his rejection as King of Israel, but David's sins did not cost him his crown? This is followed by three important restrictions—the king must not acquire many horses, many wives, nor excessive silver and gold (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). And it was clear that this was not God’s perfect plan for Israel: for king Saul came not from the tribe of Judah, but from Benjamin. He was their leader. In just the prior chapter, Yahweh threw the Philistines into “confusion,” and they were defeated before Israel (1 Samuel 7:10). He disobeyed God by failing to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, as God had commanded. So in summary: God was reluctant to give Israel a king when they demanded one because they were looking for an earthly and not a heavenly king; and because they did not want to wait for God’s time. By giving Israel a king, God divinely set in motion the events that would culminate with Him sending them the King who would save them from their sins, the King of kings, Jesus Christ. The king would be a tyrant. Ezekiel 37:22-25 indicates that Israel in that future day will have one king over them and will be a people of God. God rejected Saul for his willful disobedience and chose David as The next King of Israel because if He were ever Rebuked by God like in The Case of Uriah the Hittite, and his wife Bathsheba; David would submit to the Punishment, … God told Abraham: I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you (Genesis 17:6). God first instructed Samuel to warn Israel of the ways of the king who would reign over them. God, for the first 355 years the children of Israel lived in the Promised Land, was their sole King.Afterwards, the united Israelite kingdom had three human rulers (Saul, David and Solomon). What were the signs given to Saul by Samuel. While Saul was the first king of Israel, his reign was but a brief intermission in God’s design to set a faithful king over His people. Israel wanted a king to judge them, despite the fact that Yahweh was their judge. Joel and Abijah (Samuel’s sons) became like Hophni and Phinehas (Eli’s sons), who treated God’s offerings with contempt and were even having relations with the women who served at the entrance of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:12-36). In chapter two, God rejected Eli as judge, but in chapter eight, Israel rejected Samuel as judge. The king of Israel was chosen by the God of the Israelites. Saul would meet three men going to Bethel. This forms a play on words, as the king’s judgments would be a judgment upon Israel from God. He would require a “tenth” (or “tithe”) of their goods, thus setting himself up as equal to God (1 Samuel 8:15, 17).

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