ISRAEL DEMANDS A KING The people were preoccupied with the appearances of greatness and luxury of the kings of the surrounding Gentile nations; and misunderstood that as glory and dignity, which they were denied. They made use of Samuel’s old age and the perversion of his two sons who did not follow his ways, to demand from Samuel to set for them a king to judge them like all the nations (1 Samuel 8: 5). 1- Demanding a king 1 – 5. 2- Samuel got offended by that demand 6. 3- God heeds the people’s voice, with a forewarning 7 – 9. 4- Samuel forewarns the people 10 – 22. 1- DEMANDING A KING Some may probably ask: If the people did not demand a king, Would God have set them a kingdom? a- We do not find, for the royal system, a true root in the Mosaic law except what came in Deuteronomy 17: 14 - 20. That probably presented a prophecy about setting a royal system in the promised land; and certain advises to the people, in case they chose a king, and certain criteria to which the king is committed, in order to lead, as is fitting for a member of the holy congregation. b- The fault was not in the demand for a king, but it was in hastening the events, and in misunderstanding the royal system. Timewise, God planned to set for them a king, “whose heart is like that of God”; He allowed for ‘Ruth’ to come from the Gentiles, from whose descent, David would come as a prophet and a king. If they have waited a little more, they would have got a much better bargain, than what they demanded; and they would not have got Saul, who, though good looking, caused them great misery. Concerning their concept of the royal system, they wished for a king to lead their army, instead of Prophet Samuel, the man of prayer. The king they got, led to their destruction instead of their edification and triumph. They also wished for a king to reign over them, to be succeeded by his descendants; while in the judge system, they could choose a leader for the army, with no commitment to an inheritable royal system. Samuel, the prophet and judge, grew old, and made his two sons, ‘Joel’ and ‘Abijah’ judge over Israel in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they went astray seeking dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8: 1); It was fitting for him to chose more straightforward judges. Why did not God rebuke Samuel for his sons’ perversion, as He did with Eli? That was probably because Eli was a high priest, under whose authority his priest sons committed such horrible sins and iniquities, punishable by killing according to the law. As for Samuel’s two sons, on the other hand, their perversion - taking bribes - could have happened later in their career; They might have started well, then perverted by the lure of money. Besides, those two judged in Beersheba, and not with their father in Ramah; And as the position of judgment was not inheritable, their appointment could have been according the people’s quest. The objection of the elders of Israel against the perversion of Samuel’s two sons, reveals a live conscious on their part; contrary to those in the days of Eli the high priest, who never objected against his sons’ horrible iniquities. 4 Appointing his two sons to judge in Beersheba in the south, while Samuel himself judged in Ramah in the north, indicates that the authority of Samuel covered the whole country, from north to south; and that then stable conditions prevailed. Every leader should be alert against the love of money and tendency to take bribes, that corrupted the hearts of those two judges, and caused them, their father, and the whole people great trouble. 2- Samuel got offended by that demand Samuel counted that demand of the people, as a rejection of him as a judge; while God counted it as a rejection of Him personally as their King; saying to Samuel His prophet: “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they had not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8: 7) How great was Samuel’s wisdom; As a man of prayer, he did not get furious, nor rebuked them, but he sought instead the counsel and guidance of God, who comforted him. It is amazing how God told Samuel to heed the voice of the people in all that they say to him; how He holds high the human freedom; and how he responds to the collective demands. Although He reveals the truth to them, forewarning them of the consequences of their vain demand, He does not force them to abide to a certain system, but makes sure they understand the truth with their complete freedom. 3- GOD HEEDS THE PEOPLE’S VOICE WITH A FOREWARNING Heeding their voice, does not imply His pleasure with their demand, but as the psalm says: “He shall give you the desire of your heart” (Psalm 37: 4). If the desire of our heart is heavenly, we shall enjoy the blessing of heaven; and if, on the other hand, it is not for our own benefit or edification, God would allow it to happen, for the sake of chastisement, according to the words of the psalm: “And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalm 106: 15). Although God responded to their demand, He clarified to them two facts: (1) The first fact is that any rejection of His men is a rejection of Him; saying: “For they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me” (1 Samuel 8: 7). And Lord Jesus says to His disciples: “Who hears you hears Me, and who rejects you rejects Me; and who rejects Me, rejects Him who had sent Me” (Luke 10: 16). St. Augustine1 It is becoming of you to obey your Bishop without hypocrisy, honoring God who so demands. Who does not do that, is not deceiving the seen Bishop, but he is actually mocking the unseen God. This action does not concern man, but concerns God who knows everything. St. Ignatius of Antioch2 (2) The second fact is that choosing the royal system was actually not for their benefit; He explained to them, what to expect, of oppression and persecution on the hands of kings. . 1 الحب الرعوي، 1965 ، ص 30 . 2 المرجع السابق، ص 53 5 4- SAMUEL FOREWARNS THE PEOPLE The prophet Samuel spoke plainly and frankly to the people, revealing to them the harmful consequences of their demand of a king that could be summarized as follows: a- Their sons would be forced into military service, not for the sake of the people, but for the personal benefit of the king, as servants to him. b- Their daughters would work for him, his family, and his men as cooks and bakers. c- The best of their fields, their vineyards, and their vintage, would be taken and given to his officers and servants. d- They would be forced to serve his own land. e- In that day, when they cry out, because of the king whom they have chose for themselves, the Lord will not listen. The people did not listen to his advice, but insisted on their demand (1 Samuel 8: 19); So Samuel dismissed the meeting, and sent everyone to his own city (1 Samuel 8: 22). And the whole people was sure that Samuel would manage the matter.
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