Page 26 - Divinity_F5
P. 26
Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools
and some as soldiers’ commanders. He principles to direct the monarchy: A
would put them into forced labour. He king must be subjected to God’s will;
further said the king would take their he was to rule in the context of the
wives and daughters as performers, covenant laws. People must accept
cooks and bakers. Samuel also told him; this implies democratic processes
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
them that the king would take by force apply in obtaining leaders. The king
their men as servants for himself, and he is the servant of the Lord (Yahweh).
would take their land and vineyards for Samuel shows that there was no room
himself (1 Sam. 8:10-18). for autocracy in Israel.
The institution of the monarchy was a With these conditions listed here, Samuel
turning point in Israel’s history. Israel presents that, in good governance,
now became a society with earthly leaders must be God-fearing people
kings. This affected Israel so much that and accountable to God’s will. A leader
the society crumbled. The kingdom was must have fear of God and have to rule
divided, and later, the people were taken according to the laws. He says that
to Babylonian captivity. people must accept a king. He shows
that, in good governance, leaders must
Concerning good governance, the books be chosen by the people democratically
of Samuel teach us the following: and accepted.
As a kingmaker, Samuel teaches
that good governance must consider Samuel anoints Saul as the King of
democratic processes in obtaining Israel (1 Sam. 9)
leaders. We see in the institution of the Saul was the first king of Israel (c. 1021–
monarchy that Samuel used democratic 1000 BCE). Saul was chosen a king by
processes to get a leader. First, he God; he was anointed by Samuel and
brought all the tribes of Israel near, and by public acclamation. Saul was the
the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin.
to provide a king. Then, he brought the Physically, he was taller and more
tribe of Benjamin with its families, and handsome than anyone else in Israel (1
then, the family of Matrites was taken Sam. 9:1-2).
by lot. Finally, he brought the family of
Matrites nearly man by man; and thus, The first meeting between Saul and
Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot (1 Samuel took place when some asses
Sam. 10:1-24). (donkeys) belonging to Kish wandered
off. Therefore, Saul’s father sent his
Principles of the monarchy son (Saul) to the hill country to look for
As a kingmaker, Samuel provides them. In search of the asses, Saul passed
Form Five Student’s Book 17