June 10, 2012, 2 Pentecost
1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15
Israel Demands a King
Background: The book of 1 Samuel is considered part
of the Deuteronomistic history; among its functions is to introduce the
transition from the divinely selected judges as leaders in Israel to the
secular kingship as leaders. The continuing story of Israel’s apostasy is laced
through the opening portion of 1 Samuel culminating with their demand from Samuel
to tell God they want a king like the other nations.
Theme: This passage helps designate Samuel’s
successor as the leader of Israel. After the people demand a king Samuel
intercedes with God and God “relents” to let Israel have their king, as long as
they realize what they are getting into. The writer implies that this demand
may simply be the next step in the recurring cycle of apostasy by God’s chosen
people.
Questions to Ponder
* Describe the setting of this passage to include social,
political, and religious relationships.
* What is the significance of the places named in this
passage: Ramah and Gilgal? What might the significance of a city named Mizpah
be? (A reference to Mizpah can be found in 1 Sam 7:2-17)
* How had Samuel been successful in defending Israel against
its oppressors prior to the elders’ request for a king?
* What justification is offered by “all the elders” to
demand a king of Samuel?
* What do you see as a principal issue with the elder’s
demand to have Samuel “appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other
nations.”?
* Why do you think Samuel took their request personally?
* What, if anything, about God’s response to Samuel strikes
you as odd?
* How might this request be seen as a continuation of
Israel’s continuing rejection of God since the Exodus?
* Why might God tell Samuel to “warn them (the elders and
all Israel)”?
* What is disturbing about the six items identified by
Samuel as the traits of future kings in Israel? Do you think these traits were
demonstrated by future kings or rulers in Israel?
* Do you think the one-tenth that will be taken by the king
is in place of or in addition to the tithes that the people were supposed to
give to God through the priests? Why might this be an issue to the people and
to God?
* Why might the Israelites be so determined that they were
willing to reject God’s leadership, even when they had been warned by Samuel?
* Do you think the king would, in fact, “govern us, go out
before us, and fight our battles” as the elders propose in verse 20?
* Why might Samuel have told the Israelites to go to Gilgal
to renew the kingship?
* What might be an issue with the Israelites sacrificing
before the Lord?
* How do we demand “kings like the nations around us” today?
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