Days 80&81: 1 Samuel 4-12

When it comes to raising kids it seems Samuel did about as well as his mentor, Eli:

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (8:1-3)

There's something about raising kids when you're in a position of leadership. I'm not convinced it's always the fault of the parent. It is a very difficult position for the kids. In a way they live in the public eye with a lot of expectations that aren't always fair. It takes a very wise and disciplined parent to raise kids in that situation.

This whole "kingship" thing is interesting to me. The people of Israel really want a king to lead them. This desire for a king is considered an evil thing because God's intention was that HE would be their king. I guess they felt they needed a king "with skin on." I'm sympathetic with them. The thing is, while this is not God's ideal, and is, in fact, against the whole idea...and while He warns them through Samuel about all the bad things that will happen to them because of having a king...He lets them have a king. And even chooses one for them.

God, through Samuel, appoints Saul as Israel's first king with these words:

The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. (10:6-7)

Even though God is against the whole king idea He actually goes along with the plan and even decides to work within it. I'm reminded of the often quoted Romans 8:28 - "...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Anointing Saul as king doesn't seem to be a real uplifting experience:

Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” (10:17-19)

 In chapter 12 Samuel is giving a "farewell address." It sounds like he thinks he's going to retire or something. Maybe he thinks that because God is now appointing a king that his work is finished. It isn't. Anyway, as usual in these farewell speeches, the history of Israel from the time of the Exodus is recounted...up until today:

 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king. Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good! But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
     “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king.” (12:12-17)

In other words, "I'll give you what you want...but you're not gonna like it."

I also notice a lot of "ifs" in that speech.

Will the people...and the king...live up to all the "ifs"?

Stay tuned.