The United Kingdom of Israel – Introduction

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The United Kingdom of Israel – Introduction

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: 2 Samuel 8


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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE (47)

The United Kingdom of Israel (1) – Introduction

Tonight, we continue our Journey through the Bible.  Up to this point we have addressed 8 periods of Bible history.  We now begin the 9th period of this history – The United Kingdom.

  1. Introduction
    1. This period is called the United Kingdom because:
      1. Israel is being governed by a king (hence a kingdom). To my knowledge, prior to this, Israel is not described as a kingdom under the conquest or judges.  Whenever the term is used, it refers to other kingdoms.  The exceptions are Exodus 19:6, Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” God wanted to be their king.  And Deuteronomy 17 which we will address in just a moment.
      2. This is the only period of their history where the 12 tribes are united under a single king.
    2. Facts about the United Kingdom of Israel
      1. It will last for 120 years under the rule of 3 kings, each reigning for 40 years (cf. Acts 13:21 for King Saul). It lasted from ~1050-930 BC.
      2. It consists of 97 chapters of Bible history – 1 Samuel 8-1 Kings 11 & 1 Chronicles 1 through 2 Chronicles 9 (including genealogies that extend beyond their reigns).   NOTE: When we get to the life of David, we will find parallel passages concerning the reigns of David and Solomon.
        1. 1 Samuel records the reign of King Saul, AND his interactions with David
        2. 2 Samuel records David reigning as king. 1 Chronicles 10ff (chs. 1-9 record a number of genealogies related to David, Saul, the priests, the tribes, and various individuals, etc.) parallels this beginning with Saul’s tragic death.
        3. 1 Kings 1-11 and 2 Chronicles 1-9 records the coronation and reign of Solomon.
      3. There are 3 kings during this time period – Saul, David and Solomon. The contrast in their reigns shows the fluctuation of Israel’s history.  King Saul was a bad king (though he started good, he went bad quickly), David was a VERY righteous king, Solomon was a mixture, beginning very godly but eventually turning evil.  During this time period we will also be introduced to a number of “supporting characters” – generals, wives, enemies, prophets, priests, etc.
      4. This was also a period of much of the poetic literature. David is believed to have written about half of the psalms, Solomon wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.  The timing of the book of Job is uncertain but is included in the books of literature of the Jews.
      5. During this period of time Israel enjoys relative peace and expands its influence to its greatest borders. During the time of King Solomon, he expands the borders of the kingdom to those promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18 where YHWH makes His promise and covenant with Abram.  Also, surrounding nations were subdued and at peace during the reigns of David and Solomon (see 1 Kings 4:21).
      6. It is also during this period that YHWH expands on the details of the Messiah with His promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 to establish his throne forever.
    3. Background leading to this time period.
      1. 1 Samuel 8:1-8 – Israel demands a king. In our last lesson we examined 1 Samuel 8 where Israel demands a king.  Recall that Samuel’s sons, Joel and Abijah were wicked in carrying out the duties, taking bribes  and perverting justice.  The elders come to Samuel and demand a king.  While this displeased Samuel, the LORD to him, 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.  However, He told Samuel to warn the people what the conduct of a king would be like.
      2. Return to Deuteronomy 17:14-20, where we find Moses giving instructions to Israel about WHEN they would have a king over them. NOTE the prophecy of Moses is exactly what we find happening.  It also declares to us that YHWH knew and intended for a day to come when a king would rule over them.  However, specific instructions are given concerning kings in this text:
        1. He was to be one chosen by YHWH Himself (which happened with the 3 kings of this period)
        2. He was not to be a foreigner, but from among their brethren. NOTE: You may also recall Genesis 49:8-10, that (true) king would eventually come through Judah.
        3. He was not to multiply horses for himself (trusting YHWH to care for them)
        4. He was not to return to Egypt to defend them (to multiply horses). Trusting in God and not foreign nations.
        5. He was not to multiply wives for himself lest they turn his heart away from the Lord.
        6. He was not to multiply silver and gold – extreme wealth which would cause one to turn away from trusting God.
        7. He was to write for himself a copy of the law in a book and read it all the days of his life. This was to GUIDE his decision making and keep him humble.
      3. Now consider 1 Samuel 8:11-18. Samuel was to warn the people what the behavior of a king would be toward them.
        1. He would take their sons for war and for service to him.
        2. He would take their daughters for his own pleasure to be perfumers, cooks and bakers.
        3. He would take the best of their lands for himself and his servants
        4. He would tax them 1/10th of their flocks and grains, etc.
        5. 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.”
      4. 8:19-22 – the people wanted a king anyway so Samuel made preparations to give them their king.
  2. Saul chosen to be their king -1 Samuel 9-12
    1. 9:1-2 – we are introduced to Saul, the son of Kish. He was tall and handsome.
    2. 9:3- 26 – The donkeys of Kish had been lost and Saul is sent to find them. They search throughout the land and cannot find them.  So Saul’s servant suggested going to a prophet to inquire (note vs. 9).  They go to find the prophet.  It is Samuel who has been told by YHWH that Saul was coming and to anoint him as king over Israel.  Samuel treats Saul to a royal meal and tells him the donkeys have been found.
    3. 9:27-10:16 – Samuel sends the servant of Saul away and then anoints Saul to be commander (king) of Israel. He then tells him that a number of things would happen (in great detail) as he returned toward his home.  Men would relay that his donkeys had been found AND then he would meet a group of prophets and prophecy with them.  Those who knew Saul would be surprised.  He goes to his uncle’s house who asks him what has happened.  Saul tells him about the donkeys and Samuel, BUT leaves out that he had been anointed as king (about the matter of the kingdom – recall what I said at the beginning of this lesson).
    4. 10:17-27 – Saul is introduced as king chosen by YHWH. Samuel gathers the tribes and nations.  Benjamin is chosen, followed by Saul’s family.  But when they look for Saul, he cannot be found.  YHWH tells Sameul he was hidden among the equipment.  The people ran to get Saul.  He stands taller than anyone else.  The people rejoice and shout, “Long live the king.”   Saul returns home to Gibeah accompanied by men whose hearts God had touched.   We are also told that there were some rebels who despised Saul and refused to pay tribute.  But Saul held his peace.
    5. 11:1-15 records an incident at Jabesh Gilead. The Ammonites come against the city of Jabesh Gilead (recall this was the city who did not join Israel in battle against Benjamin because of their sin.  From that city wives were provided to preserve the tribe of Benjamin – Judges 21:8-14).  They ask conditions of peace and the Ammonites propose a cruel condition – putting out the right eyes of the men.  For 7 days the men of Jabesh seek someone to deliver them.  Word comes to Gibeah where King Saul is and he musters all of Israel against the Ammonites (330,000 soldiers).  They come and handily defeat the Ammonites.  Saul is established as king.  As for those men who refused to submit to Saul they wanted to kill them, but Saul said no and attributed the victory to YHWH. (vs. 12-13).
    6. 12:1-25 – Saul is coronated as king. Samuel gathers all Israel and speaks with them.  Note vs. 1- 5, Samuel declares his integrity in leading them.  He then retells a brief history of how YHWH had delivered them over and over from enemies even though they had rebelled against Him.  .  NOTE v. 12-14, And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king. “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. 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.  Following this, Samuel warns them what would happen if they refused to obey the LORD.  As a demonstration, great thunder and rain came upon the land and Israel.  The people feared and asked Samuel to plead for them and acknowledged that what they had done was a sin.  Samuel’s responds by noting in vs. 20-22, that if they stay faithful to YHWH He would not forsake them.  Then note vs. 23-25, 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.”  They now have a king, so Samuel steps aside
    7. And thus Saul is firmly established as Israel’s first king.
  3. Lessons to consider
    1. Who do really want as our King? Israel wanted a physical king to be like everyone around them. But God WAS their king.  Do we ever find ourselves desiring to replace God with someone/something of this world?   James 4:4 – friendship with the world…, Matthew 6:24 – no one can serve two masters.
    2. Pride goes before a fall – Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. As we are introduced to Saul in this text we find a man who is humble, and perhaps even timid.  This seems to be how King Saul began his reign.  Sadly, as we shall see in our next lesson, this will not last long.  If we are to be pleasing to God, we must empty ourselves of our pride and humble ourselves.  Let Him do the exalting – 1 Peter 5:5-6.
    3. God can use you no matter who you are – Saul when first called by Samuel notes that he was from the least of the tribes of Israel, and his family insignificant – 1 Sam. 9:21. There is always something you can do, and to God it may the crucial role.  We see that often in the history of God’s word.
    4. God knows what will happen – as Saul was anointed by Samuel, he was told several things would occur. The first two events were minimal, but the final one – Saul would prophecy was significant.  From that time, the Spirit of the LORD was with him (until his fall).  This also demonstrates God’s providence and foreknowledge.
    5. God does not expect us to blindly follow Him – yes we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), but God has given us plenty of evidence and reason to trust Him. Romans 1:20.  When “insignificant Saul” was anointed king, Samuel provided irrefutable evidence that this was the hand of God at work.
    6. Never stop praying for those in need – Samuel promised that he would not cease to pray for them. James 5:13, 16. Sometimes, later in life, when we are unable to do as much as we did before, we can still pray.
    7. Leaders step up in times of crisis – chapter 11 finds King Saul stepping up when Jabesh Gilead was under attack. Leaders need to be capable and willing to lead. The church desperately needs this.
    8. For leaders to be effective we must stand behind them – The people got behind king Saul as he was anointed, AND after he had proven himself. We need to stand behind our leaders, especially our spiritual leaders (Hebrews 13:17).
    9. Serve God with your whole heart – as Samuel is giving final admonition he encourages them to remain faithful to God and serve Him with “all your heart” (1 Sam. 12:24) and all would be well. That applies to us as well.  God wants not only our actions, He wants our heart – Matthew 22:37.

And thus we begin an examination of this time period in Israel’s history.  As with all of scripture, it was written for our learning (Romans 15:4).   How will you serve you King?  Think about it!

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