1 & 2 Samuel Part Two Deep Dive

FROM JUDGE TO KING | NATHAN ROSS

The books of 1 and 2 Samuel mark a major transition in the history of Israel. Leading up to this point the people of Israel operated as a theocracy, that is God was their sole authority and in most recent history spoke through the judges (see the book of Judges). Prior to that God worked through the Levitical priests and leaders like Moses and Joshua. But now, for the first time in their history, we see in the book of Samuel that the Israelites desire to have a king. The judge Samuel was the last in the lineage of judges and it is with him the books of 1 & 2 Samuel start with and is named after (as the main author).  The first reference of a king is in 8:5, where the elders of Israel say to Samuel, “you are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” Samuel was displeased by the idea but took it to God to consult with. God solemnly says “it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you” (8:7-8). So, we can see that evidently God is resistant of this new kingship, comparing it to idolatry. But just as God hasn’t stopped the Israelites of their idolatry in the past, he doesn’t do it now. He gives a warning but allows the Israelites their own free will. 

The remainder of the books of 1 & 2 Samuel see the transition to leadership in the first king of Israel – Saul, and then a later transition to the king David. The books of 1 & 2 Kings then carry on this lineage of kingship in Israel, before their exile and movement to prophets. But when we restrict ourselves just to the historical narratives of 1 & 2 Samuel, we learn a lot not only about kingship but the relationship between God and humanity. In these couple of books there are many ups and downs in the narrative regarding the success and failure of these couple of kings (Saul and David). They both did have their own highpoints, for example the infamous account of the battle between David and Goliath. But they certainly did also have their low points. Just recall the story of David and Bathsheba, and what David did to her husband Uriah. Or even the fact that Saul in the end was completely rejected by God himself!

1 & 2 Samuel does its due diligence as historical books by recording both the good and bad, and not ‘sugar-coating’ it. But the point that is evident is the stark humanity of these kings. At the end of the day they are flawed just as any other human, and the same is true for another other leader we might experience in our day-to-day life, even the Church as we know it. Leaders, just like the kings, may be appointed to a position of leadership, may even try their hardest and have the best intentions. But at the end of the day they’re humans. They have flaws. And sometimes these flaws are evident and affect their leadership. 

Keeping all this in mind there are two major points to be taken away. The first, is that regardless of the flawed humanity of a leader, or regardless of whether they may be classified as ‘bad,’ God can still use them for good. That at the end of the day, regardless of what political system we might have, or who we might want in leadership, God is control. Just as Paul says, “all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is the supreme authority over our lives and has the last say. Have a peace of mind found in this knowledge. 

This leads to the second point; we have a king that is far superior than any other king. We have Jesus. 1stTimothy Records Jesus as “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim 6:15). This king, even though he is still completely human, he is without flaw, without discrepancy. He is a king that can lead us a fellow human but is able to do so in a way that perfect. A word that we can’t use for any other king, or leader. But Jesus is perfect, and so is his kingship and leadership. 

So, when we might be lost for trust in our current authority figures, or lacking leadership just remember these two facts. That God is above all things and that in Christ we have a king who is above all kings. 

Nathan Ross has a Bachelor of Theology and works at C3 College. As one of our key New Testament writers, Nathan teaches the book of Ephesians and Romans at C3 College and is a self-confessed history nerd. 

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