A KING OVER ISRAEL | THE BACKGROUND

1. A King Over Israel

a) The Old Testament dwells at length of Israel's history — THE KINGDOM OF DAVID — which spans the reigns of the first three kings of Israel: Saul, David, and Solomon.

b) As the Israelites in Canaan multiplied, the people asked for a king, not being satisfied to have God alone as their ruler. The first king was Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.

2. The Background

a) The work of Samuel, as judge, prophet, and priest, continued well into the reign of Saul. One of Saul's great failures was his arrogance in usurping Samuel's role as priest by offering a sacrifice at Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:8-9). Samuel was a Levite (being the son of Elkanah descended from Levi (1 Samuel 1:1, 1 Chronicles 6:33-38). Samuel was therefore qualified to do priestly duties. Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-2) and had no such right. He was given the right to rule in place of Samuel. He was even given the power to prophesy. Not satisfied, he presumed to take also the duties of a priest. Saul was wilfull and disobedient in other ways too, instead of allowing God's Spirit to rule him.

b) The second king was David from the tribe of Judah. The house of David was established as the royal family, and after David, his son Solomon reigned. Solomon built a great temple in Jerusalem. Israel as a nation stretched from Daniel to Beersheba and saw great power, but her glory was short-lived.