Essay 2

Submitted By Ashley-Chittum
Words: 1307
Pages: 6

The era of Judges was failing fast, the leadership of Israel rested solely in the elderly Priest Eli. Israel had a failing administration under true tribal judges and was leaning toward a monarchy “God used Samuel to anoint Israel’s first two kings there by transitioning the country away from the judges and into a monarchy” The Essence of the Old Testament Ed Hindson, Gary Yates 2012 (p162) A survey of Eli’s household was wicked and God was not speaking because no one was listening. The message to Samuel was that God will bypass a disobedient generation and a new generation will follow him. God states he will destroy Eli’s house and Samuel will be the spokesman. “The failure of the judge’s era is illustrated in the rebellious way of Eli and his sons which are set in successful judgeship of Samuel.” The essence of the Old Testament Ed Hindson, Gary Yates 2012 (p104)
When Samuel grew old he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. But his sons did not follow his ways, they turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. So the elders of Israel met together and decided they wanted a king. “They said to Samuel you are old and your sons do not follow your ways, now appoint a king to lead us such as all the nations have.” (1 Samuel Ch. 8 Verse 5) This displeased Samuel very much and he prayed to the lord about what he should do! So Samuel went back and told the people if I give you a king this what will happen he will take your sons and make them soldiers others will be slaves, he will make your daughters be cooks, performers, and bakers. He will take the best of your land fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his attendants. Your animals, your grain, and everything you have he will take and make you a slave to him. Eventually you will cry out for help from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you that day. But the people refused to listen, they still wanted a king. They wanted to be like everyone else and have someone to fight their battles for them. So Samuel went to pray again and told the Lord everything they said. “The lord said listen to them and give them a king.” (1 Samuel Ch. 8 Verse 22)
It happen so that Saul was looking for a some donkeys that were lost, as he and his servants went from hillside to town to town searching they came upon a town Zuph and still no donkeys, Saul wanted to go back home before his father got worried about him but the servant wanted to continue because there was a man of God at the town. The servant thinking he could help them by telling them which path to take so they would find the donkeys. Saul knew they couldn’t go empty handed though, they had no gift to take to the man of God for their food had been eaten, but the servant said I have a quarter of a shekel of silver I will give it to the man of God, so maybe then he will tell us which way to go. (Formally in Israel if someone went to inquire of God they would say come let’s see the sear because the prophet of today was called a sear) So they went to the town where the man of God was.
Now Samuel knowing that would meet Saul this day because the Lord told him he was prepared. Samuel invited Saul to eat with him, and told him not to worry about the donkeys that were lost they had been found. They ate and the next day Samuel told Saul to tell his servant to go ahead that he had a message from God for him.
Samuel anointed Saul as king. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin he was thirty years old when he became king and he reigned for forty-two years. Saul chose thousands of men to different places and those he didn’t choose sent back home. They attacked the Philistines which in returned they began to assemble to attack Israel. Let the trumpet blow so all Hebrews can hear! The Israelites reveled how bad things were getting and started hiding where ever they could. Saul and his soldiers were scared and they too began to scatter and Samuel didn’t return in a weeks’ time