1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 45In this incident Israel faced a very threatening situation physically and spiritually. Thepeople's reaction was to weep (v. 4). God went into action because He had madepromises to protect His people (cf. Heb. 13:5-6). He provided deliverance when Hispeople thought there was no hope. The result was that God's people rededicatedthemselves to following the Lord faithfully. Their weeping gave way to rejoicing.In this incident we also see Saul humble and hardworking (v. 5). God's Spirit empoweredhim (v. 6), and gave him wisdom (vv. 7-8) and victory (v. 11). Saul gave God the gloryfor his success, and he was merciful and forgiving toward his critics (v. 13). God alsogave him favor in the eyes of His people (v. 15; cf. 2:30; Prov. 16:7).Samuel's second warning to the people ch. 12The writer wrote chapters 12—15 very skillfully to parallel chapters 8—11. Each sectionbegins with Samuel warning the people about the dangers of their requesting a king (chs.8 and 12). Each one also follows with a description of Saul's exploits (chs. 9—10 and13—14) and ends with Saul leading Israel in battle (chs. 11 and 15). This parallelstructure vividly sets off the contrast between Saul's early success as Israel's king and hissubsequent failure. The reason he failed is the primary theological lesson of thesechapters, and it is a continuation of the fertility motif.Chapter 12 is another most important theological passage in Samuel along with 1 Samuel7 and 2 Samuel 7. Here Samuel explained Israel's future relationship with Yahweh andthe Mosaic Law since the people insisted on having a king and had rejected Yahweh andSamuel."With this address Samuel laid down his office as judge, but withouttherefore ceasing as prophet to represent the people before God, and tomaintain the rights of God in relation to the king." 138"This chapter . . . formally marks the end of the period of the judges. . ." 139Samuel's self-vindication 12:1-5Why did Samuel feel the need to justify his behavior publicly? Perhaps he knew thatbecause the people had rebelled against God by demanding a king they would experiencediscipline from the Lord. When it came he did not want anyone to think he wasresponsible for it. Also, it is likely that Samuel took the people's request for a king as apersonal rejection of himself. 140 He probably wanted to show the people that they had noreason to reject him because of his behavior. Samuel's words may seem to exposepersonal pride. I think more probably they express his concern that no one conclude thatliving a life of commitment to God, as he had lived, would bring God's discipline. The138 Keil and Delitzsch, p. 115.139 Gordon, p. 125.140 Wood, Israel's United . . ., p. 70.