Saul David and Solomon

Essay 2 – Saul, David and Solomon

Michelle Walbeck

Bible 105-B22

September 15, 2014

For the Israelite people, Samuel would be the transition from Godly anointed and selected judges, prophets and priests to a time of appointed kings. Samuel had led the people well, but he was getting up in age and the people began to complain. “So the elders gathered …they said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways, now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (1 Samuel 8:5). The LORD tells Samuel to “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected but they have rejected me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7). The people of Israel understood what their request implied. They were denying God and his covenant promise with them to accept the gods of the nations around them. They wanted a physical king to lead them in battles.

The people chose a Benjamite, named Saul. He was very charismatic and a head taller than any of the other men. He certainly looked the part. If he could win battles for them, certainly this would be their new king. Saul’s came to the rescue of Jabesh-gilead’s against the Ammonite, Nahash who had threatened to gouge out the eyes (Israel’s), this victory sealed the deal (2, p165). Israel had their king.

The people of Israel began to see that the man they so quickly elevated was not all they had hoped for in a king. He was impatient, acted foolishly, did not keep God’s commands (1 Samuel 13:13). He was hotheaded; he had a fierce hatred of the Philistines and tried to elevate himself through victories and large armies of followers. He was also weak. God told him to destroy all the Amalakites and he spared King Agag and his finest possessions (1 Samuel 15:9). Saul’s reputation was quickly dissolving. God had enough of his behavior as well; it was time for the true king chosen by God.

Out of Saul’s egotistic show of puffery against the Philistine Army, which he was...