353 passages · Kingdom
The chapter closes by listing the kings who ruled Edom before Israel had a king, followed by a list of the chiefs of Edom by clan and territory.
Jacob describes Judah as a lion whose brothers will praise him and promises that the scepter will remain with Judah. The poem also pictures abundant wine.
The song asks who among the gods is like the LORD, then looks ahead to God leading his people to his holy dwelling while the nations tremble. It ends with the LORD reigning forever.
Balaam speaks of a distant future in which a star and scepter rise from Israel, defeating Moab and Edom. A ruler from Jacob will overcome their enemies.
When Israel later wants a king, he must be one God chooses from among his fellow Israelites, and must not gather many horses, wives, or wealth. He is to copy the law and read it daily so he stays humble.
Israel and its king will be driven to a foreign land and worship other gods. Crops will be eaten by locusts and worms, children will go into captivity, and foreigners will rise above Israel.
The five kings hide in a cave at Makkedah and are sealed in. Joshua brings them out, has his commanders put their feet on their necks, and then puts them to death.
The Israelites ask Gideon and his descendants to rule over them, and he answers that the LORD alone will rule. He then collects gold and makes an ephod, which becomes a snare as Israel worships it, though the land rests forty years.
Abimelech persuades his mother's relatives and the leaders of Shechem to back him rather than Gideon's seventy sons. Using silver from the temple of Baal-berith he hires thugs, kills his seventy brothers at Ophrah (Jotham alone escapes), and is made king.
From Mount Gerizim, Jotham tells of trees seeking a king who are refused by olive, fig, and vine, until a thornbush accepts. He applies it: if Shechem acted honestly toward his father's house, may they rejoice, but if not, may fire consume both Abimelech and Shechem.
The book closes by repeating that there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. It sums up the disorder of the whole period.
The book closes with a ten-generation line from Perez, son of Judah, to Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David, placing the story within the lineage of Israel's king.
Hannah ends by saying God protects the faithful, defeats the wicked, judges the earth and will strengthen his king and anointed one.
Samuel's sons Joel and Abijah take bribes as judges. The elders come to Ramah and ask Samuel to appoint a king to judge them like other nations.
Displeased, Samuel prays. The LORD says the people have rejected him, not Samuel, as they have done since Egypt, and tells Samuel to give them what they ask but warn them.
Samuel lists the costs of kingship: sons drafted, daughters and fields taken, a tenth of harvests and flocks claimed, and the people made servants. He says they will cry out but God will not answer.
The people refuse to listen and insist on a king to lead and fight for them. Samuel reports this to God, who tells him to appoint one, and Samuel sends everyone home.
Kish of Benjamin sends his tall, handsome son Saul with a servant to find lost donkeys. After a long search, Saul wants to turn back.
The LORD had told Samuel the day before to anoint a Benjamite as ruler, and now tells him Saul is the man. Samuel tells Saul the donkeys are found and hints at his great destiny; Saul replies that he is from the smallest tribe.
Samuel seats Saul at the place of honor with the portion set aside for him. The next morning, alone, Samuel says he will reveal God's word.
Samuel anoints Saul with oil as ruler of God's people and predicts events on his journey: news of the donkeys, gifts of bread, and a group of prophets. The Spirit will transform Saul, and he is to wait for Samuel at Gilgal.
Samuel gathers Israel and reminds them they rejected God by asking for a king. By lot the tribe of Benjamin and then Saul are chosen; Saul is found hiding among the baggage, and the people shout 'Long live the king!'
Samuel writes the rights of kingship on a scroll and sends the people home. Saul goes home to Gibeah with supporters, while some troublemakers scorn him and he stays silent.
When the people want to kill those who doubted Saul, he refuses, crediting the LORD with the victory. Samuel takes everyone to Gilgal, where they confirm Saul as king and celebrate.
Samuel says he has done as the people asked in setting a king over them, and he asks them to name anything he has taken wrongly. They agree he has been honest.
Samuel says the people asked for a king even though the LORD was their king. Both people and king are to fear and obey the LORD, or his hand will be against them.
Saul reigns and forms a small army. Jonathan attacks a Philistine outpost and the Philistines assemble a huge force, so the Israelites hide or flee and Saul's men tremble at Gilgal.
Saul waits seven days for Samuel, but as his men desert he offers the burnt offering himself. Samuel arrives and says Saul disobeyed the LORD's command, so his kingdom will not last and God has sought a man after his own heart.
This summary lists Saul's victories over Israel's enemies, his family members and the commander Abner. It notes the fierce fight with the Philistines throughout his reign.
God tells Samuel he regrets making Saul king, and Samuel spends the night in distress. He finds Saul, who claims to have obeyed, but Samuel asks about the bleating sheep, and Saul blames the troops.