1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
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36 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 2007 EditionThe consequences <strong>of</strong> requesting a king 8:10-22<strong>Samuel</strong> explained what having a king similar to all the nations would mean. The elderswere interested in the functions <strong>of</strong> monarchy, but <strong>Samuel</strong> pointed out the nature <strong>of</strong>monarchy. It meant the loss <strong>of</strong> freedoms and possessions that the people presentlyenjoyed. In verses 11-17 <strong>Samuel</strong> did not define the rights <strong>of</strong> a king but described theways <strong>of</strong> most kings. 104 Note the recurrence <strong>of</strong> the words "take" and "best" in these verses."By nature royalty is parasitic rather than giving, and kings are neversatisfied with the worst." 105The people would also regret their request because their king would disappoint them (v.18). God would not remove the consequences <strong>of</strong> their choice. Their king could have beena great joy to them instead <strong>of</strong> a great disappointment if the people had waited for God toinitiate the monarchy. As becomes clear later in <strong>Samuel</strong> as well as in Kings andChronicles, David was God's choice to lead the Israelites. If the people had not beenimpatient, I believe David would have been their first king. Saul proved to be a "falsestart" to the monarchy. 106In the argument <strong>of</strong> <strong>Samuel</strong> this chapter serves to introduce the reason Saul became such adisappointment to the Israelites and such a disaster as a king. Nevertheless his reign wasnot totally unsuccessful because at its beginning he sought to please Yahweh.2. The anointing <strong>of</strong> Saul 9:1—10:16In chapters 9—11 the writer painted Saul as the ideal man to serve as king from thehuman viewpoint. This pericope (9:1—10:16) sets forth his personal conduct. 107Saul's background 9:1-2Saul ("Asked [<strong>of</strong> God]," cf. 8:10) came from good Benjamite stock. His father was a man<strong>of</strong> property and influence. The same Hebrew expression, gibbor hayil, translated "valor,"describes Boaz in Ruth 2:1 and King Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 11:28 (cf. 1 Sam. 16:18).Saul himself was physically impressive, tall, and handsome. At this time he would havebeen in his late 20s (cf. 13:1). God gave the people just what they wanted.104 G. Coleman Luck, "Israel's Demand for a King," Bibliotheca Sacra 120:477 (January-March 1963):61.For evidence that Israel's neighbor nations really did suffer under their kings exactly as <strong>Samuel</strong> warned, seeI. Mendelsohn, "<strong>Samuel</strong>'s Denunciation <strong>of</strong> Kingship in the Light <strong>of</strong> the Akkadian Documents from Ugarit,"Bulletin <strong>of</strong> the American Schools <strong>of</strong> Oriental Research 143 (October 1956):17-22.105 Youngblood, p. 614.106 David Payne, p. 1.107 You may want to read the series <strong>of</strong> three articles on Saul by W. Lee Humphries listed in thebibliography <strong>of</strong> these notes. Especially helpful is, "The Tragedy <strong>of</strong> King Saul: A Study <strong>of</strong> the Structure <strong>of</strong> 1<strong>Samuel</strong> 9—31." The other two are quite technical.