CHOOSING A KING: Chs. 8-12: Chapters 9-11 contain three accounts of Saul's being chosen king that have been bound together editorially and surrounded by Samuel's convocations of the people in chs 8 and 12.
Read 1 Samuel 8.1-22. 8.1-22: Israel demands a king. In verses 1-2: Beer-sheba was the southernmost city in Judah and far outside of Samuel's jurisdiction in 7.15-17. It became an administrative center during the period of the monarchy of Judah. These facts suggest 8.1-3 may have been written against the practice of hereditary leadership. Like Eli's sons, Samuel's sons are evil. In verses 4-9:Both Samuel and the Lord are displeased by the people's request for a king This does not necessarily mean that monarchy itself is bad but only that the people's request demonstrates a lack of faith in the Lord. In verse 8: The review of Israel's history as one of forsaking the Lord is indicative of the deuteronomistic narrator's view. In verse 10: asking is a play on the name "Saul." In verses 11-17: These verses preview the social consequences of monarchy by detailing the ways of the king. The Hebrew word translated ways means "custom" or "judgment." Ironically the king to who the people look for justice will follow the typical ancient Near Eastern practices of taxation and conscription of workers for his service. The items in this list appear to be based on Solomon's reign. In verse 18: The language of this verse is characteristic of the deuteronomistic narrator and resembles that of the framework of the book of Judges. In verse 20: Govern, or "judge". In verse 22: The Lord permits the people to have a king even though he does not approve of their demand. Comments or Questions..
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