David and the Kingdom of Israel: A Type of Christ and the Kingdom of God: Part 3: Israel's Repentance of Asking for a King

1 Samuel 11-12

After Saul rescued the city of Jabesh Gilead from the Ammonites, Israel went to Gilgal to celebrate that the Lord had rescued them and to reaffirm Saul’s kingship. There all the people confirmed Saul as king and sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Samuel addressed the people.

In his speech, he reminded them of how God had heard the cries of their fathers and had rescued them from Egypt's hand. However, they forgot the Lord their God, therefore He sold them into the hands of their enemies. When it became too much for them to bear, they cried out to God and confessed their sin to Him, so He sent men to deliver them and they dwelt in safety. 

In contrast to their their fathers who cried out to God for deliverence, when this generation saw that the Ammonites were coming against them, they said to Samuel, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ even though the Lord their God was their king.

Then Samuel said to them, 

“Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, the Lord has set a king over you. [14] If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. [15] However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

[16] “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes: [17] Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord when you asked for a king for yourselves.”

Then Samuel called upon the Lord and He sent rain and thunder, and everyone stood in awe. They all said to Samuel, "Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king."

Samuel replied, "Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do no good nor can they rescue you because they are useless. For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

Israel's desire for a king was not an insignificant matter in God's sight. It displeased Him because He had set them apart for Himself to be distinguished from the other nations, but they wanted to be like the other nations. God sent rain and thunder as a sign to Israel to show them that asking for a king was wicked because it demonstrated rebellion against Him, because He was their King. When they saw the rain and heard the thunder, they were afraid that God was going to destroy them, and they realized that their asking for a king was evil, so they confessed their sin to Samuel. 

Samuel affirmed their assessment that they had done evil and said to them, "You have done all this evil", but then he encouraged them to remain in the Lord: "yet do not turn away from the Lord but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do no good nor can they rescue you because they are useless". 

He is telling them, "yes you have done evil, but if you repent and remain in the Lord, He will not reject you because He was pleased to make you His own." Samuel told them the same thing earlier in verses 14 and 15:

[14] "If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lrord your God. [15] However, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers."

This is God's requirement for His people. They must obey Him and not rebel against Him. If they do, then He will be against them. But if they repent of their disobedience and rebellion, then His hand will no longer be against them because He will relent of His anger and wrath against them. 

Samuel then responded that he would pray for them as they requested, otherwise he would be sinning against God. He considered it his responsibility to teach them "the way that is good and right". This generation evidently did not know the Lord or His ways, so as the "man of God" of Israel, Samuel was going to teach and disciple God's people to obey everything that He commanded them. The first thing: "Fear the Lord", followed by "serve Him faithfully with all your heart", and then, "consider what great things He has done for you". 

Samuel concluded his speech with a solemn warning to the people of God:

"Be sure to [do all of the the things listed above], yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away."

History reveals that God is true to His word, and that He is extremely patient with His people. Israel persisted in doing evil, and many generations later, both they and their kings were swept away by Assyria in the northern kingdom and Babylon in the south. 

David and the Kingdom of Israel: A Type of Christ and the Kingdom of God: Part 2: Saul Chosen, Anointed, and Proclaimed King of Israel

1 Samuel 9 and 10

Saul Chosen, and Anointed King of Israel 

After God gave Israel over to her desire for a king, God anointed Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, to lead and govern His people. He had looked upon them and heard their cry. Saul would be the vessel through whom God would deliver His people from the hand of the Philistines. 

Saul seemed to have humble beginnings. When the man of God Samuel met Saul at the gateway of Zuph, and said to Saul,

"And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?” (I Samuel 9:20 NKJV),

Saul replied, 

“Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?” (I Samuel 9:21 NKJV).

Saul's humble response is similar to those of Moses and David's when God sent them to lead and govern His people:

"But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11 NKJV)

[16] Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?" (I Chronicles 17:16 NKJV).

God tends to use humble servants to lead His people who say, "Who am I, Lord, that you would have me do this for you?".

"Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, 'Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?'" (1 Samuel 10:1 NIV).

The Lord God anointed Saul to be ruler over His inheritance. In other words, God installed Saul as the king of Israel, which in those days was the kingdom where God's holy people resided because He had set them apart for Himself. 

Samuel prophesied to Saul three different things that would happen that day signifying that God had anointed Him as Israel's king. One of these signs was that the Spirit of God would come upon him, cause him to prophesy, and change him into a different person. Because Saul would be a changed person who would hear from God, speak on behalf of God, and be led by the Spirit of God, Samuel instructed him to do whatever was appropriate to lead His people because He was with him. Though Israel had rejected God by wanting to be led and governed by a human king, He still found a way to lead them Himself.

All the signs that were prophesied by Samuel were fulfilled that day, and God changed Saul’s heart. [10] "When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. [11] When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, 'What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?' [12] Then a man from there answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb: 'Is Saul also among the prophets?'” (1 Samuel 10:9-12).

If you recall, Jesus received a similar response from the folks in His hometown after He had begun His ministry:

[54] "When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? [55] Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? [56] And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” [57] So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” [58] Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." (Matthew 13:54-58 NKJV).

If you are serious about serving the Lord, whether you grew up in a Christian home, or came to faith in Christ later, you will experience the same thing from the people who know you. Even among Christians, because many of them are Sunday church people who do not truly follow Jesus, therefore they will be offended at you as they were at Jesus for being serious about God, rather than giving you honor for doing so. 

Saul Proclaimed King of Israel 

[17] "Then Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah, [18] and said to the children of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.’ [19] But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.”

[20] And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. [21] When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. [22] Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.” [23] So they ran and brought him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.

[24] And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!” 

[25] Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house." (I Samuel 10:17-25 NKJV).

God had chosen Israel's king who would deliver them from the Philistines to come from the tribe of Benjamin. God then chose Saul from the tribe of Benjamin as the deliverer. When Samuel presented him before all of Israel, they accepted him as their king. 

Similarly, God chose Israel's King who would deliver them from sin and death to come from the tribe of Judah. He then sent Jesus from the tribe of Judah to them as their deliverer. However, when God presented Jesus before Israel, most did not accept Him as their King. 

Samuel explained to the people how the king was to conduct himself, wrote it in a book, and laid it up before God. By doing this, the people could hold the king accountable, and God could hold both the king and them accountable.

Samuel then sent everyone back to their homes, and Saul returned home to Gibeah. Some valiant men whose hearts God had been touched went with him. These were some of his faithful followers who would become loyal subjects of his kingdom and commanders of Israel's army. 

However, there were some men, "trouble makers", who despised Saul and questioned his ability to save Israel. By doing so, they questioned God's judgement regarding Saul. But Saul did not acknowledge them and kept peace... at least for the time being. 

Again we see similarities between King Saul at this point in time, and King Jesus and His disciples. Like Saul’s followers, Jesus's disciples became loyal subjects of the Kingdom of which Jesus reigns over. They were faithful followers because they were of the faithful remnant of Israel. He enlisted them in His royal army by authorizing and commissioning them to engage in, fight for, and multiply His Kingdom. 

However, there were "trouble makers" who despised Jesus when He came, and not only questioned His ability to save Israel, but totally rejected Him by refusing to believe that He was the Messiah whom God had sent to deliver them. Jesus said to them that if they reject Him, then they also reject God. This is because God is the one who sent Him, so if they reject Him, then they question God's judgement regarding Jesus, just as the "trouble makers" questioned God's judgement regarding Saul. 

It is the same today. Many people, including modern day "Israelites",  reject the notion that Jesus is King and/or that He has already established His eternal Kingdom on the earth. But Old Testament Israel, Saul at this stage of his kingship, and especially David, as we will see, give us hints and a glimpse of God's plan for His eternal Kingdom.

David and the Kingdom of Israel: A Type of Christ and a Shadow of the Kingdom of God: Part 1: The Origin of Israel's Kings

The Origin of Israel's Kings

Israel Asks for a King

I Samuel 8:1-22 NKJV

[1] Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. [2] The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. [3] But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. 

[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, [5] and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 

[6] But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. [7] And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. [8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. [9] Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” 

[10] So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king. [11] And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. [12] He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. [13] He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. [14] And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. [15] He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. [16] And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. [17] He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. [18] And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.” 

[19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, [20] that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 

[21] And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord. [22] So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” 

And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”

-------------------------

In the days of Israel when judges oversaw them, the elders came to Samuel requesting a king to rule over them like all the other nations had. This displeased Samuel so he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord instructed him to do what the people wanted because they had rejected Him as their king. However, God instructed Samuel to warn Israel what the king who will reign over them will do:

• "He will take your sons and appoint

   them for his own chariots and to be his

   horsemen, and some will run before his

   chariots."

• "He will appoint captains over his

   thousands and captains over his fifties,

   will set some to plow his ground and

   reap his harvest, and some to make his

   weapons of war and equipment for his

   chariots."

• "He will take your daughters to be

   perfumers, cooks, and bakers."

• "And he will take the best of your fields,

   your vineyards, and your olive groves,

   and give them to his servants."

• "He will take a tenth of your grain and

   your vintage, and give it to his officers

   and servants."

• "And he will take your male servants,

   your female servants, your finest young

   men, and your donkeys, and put them to

   his work."

• "He will take a tenth of your sheep."

• "And you will be his servants."

• "And you will cry out in that day because

   of your king whom you have chosen for

   yourselves, and the Lord will not hear

   you in that day.” 

Under God's kingship, Israel was free from government oppression and having to serve a man's agenda. However, under a king, Israel would be required to serve him and give their food, their livestock, and even their people to the service of the king. On top of that, he would take from them what was theirs, to use for his own service. They would be his servants. 

Then He gave them the most severe warning of all of what would happen if they reject Him as their king and decide to have a man rule over them as their king instead:

"And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.” 

But Israel refused to listen to Samuel and chose to have a king rule over them so they could be like the other nations around them. So the Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to them and give them a king."

 

Psalm 91

Psalms 91:1-16 NIV

[1] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

[2] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

[3] Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 

[4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

[5] You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 

[6] nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

[7] A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 

[8] You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 

[9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 

[10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 

[11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 

[12] they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

[13] You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 

[15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 

[16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

-------------------------

According to the NIV Study Bible, Psalm 91 was probably written by a priest or Levite. My assumption is that it was written either during the Babylonian captivity, or after Israel had been released from captivity and returned to rebuild Jerusalem and were facing opposition from their neighbors.

It is a psalm of comfort, likely written during a period of turbulence and chaos. It could also be seen as a plea for the unfaithful to repent by turning to the Almighty. The theme of the psalm is that only those who dwell in the Lord will not be overcome by tribulation or disaster, with the key element being trust in God. Though God chose Israel to be His kingdom of people, many of them did not trust in God, and therefore:

• They did not dwell in the shelter of the

   Most High, nor rest in the shadow of the

   Almighty;

• They did not say of the Lord, “He is my

   refuge and my fortress, my God, in

   whom I trust.” 

Many of them lived in rebellion against God, so they were not under the protections listed verses 3-8 that God had promised to those who do trust in the Lord. In fact, those who lived in rebellion were included among the wicked who were being punished in verse 8. 

God's promises are conditional because they are only promised to those who say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and who make the Most High their dwelling. They are only promised to those who love Him and acknowledge His name. Those who call on His name He will answer, and be with in times of trouble, and deliver, and honor. They are the ones who will receive and be satisfied with long life, and to whom He will show His salvation. These are people who view God as "Lord", and who are faithful to Him through trust, love, loyalty, devotion, and commitment.