The First Three Kings of Israel

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Recommended: Creation of the state of Israel

Israel’s beginning as an established nation and Israel’s recuperation from seventy years of Babylonian captivity is covered in the Books of History. After the conquest of Joshua, God sent deliverers also known as judges to judge the hearts of the people of Israel and rule over them after Joshua’s death. The Philistines’ brutally attacked the nation; subsequently, these assaults were a result of the people’s covenant disobedience. The Ark of the Covenant had been lost to the Philistines, consequently meaning they had a total disconnection from God’s presence and the mosaic covenant . God showed the people grace and punished the Philistines thus the Ark was returned. At this time the people of Israel desired a worldly king, chose a king, their chosen king was rejected by God, they were delivered a new king, and his successor’s sin ultimately led to division of the nation. The Philistines did not return to Israel during Samuel’s judge. During this time the people of Israel desired a king to rule over them. The people desired a king who would fight their battles. They sought to be like the surrounding nations. “Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 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.”’ (1 Sam 8:4, 5 [NKJ]). Samuel warned the people of Israel about the repercussions of having a reigning king. Sorrowfully, the people of Israel repudiated Samuel’s warnings, “No, but we will have a king over us, 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.” (1 Sam 8:19, 20 [NKJ]) They coveted a king, so the Lord gave them a king. The people of Israel wer... ... middle of paper ... ... they were delivered a new king, and his successor’s sin ultimately led to division of the nation. If you’re not serving God, you are serving someone. If you are not living for God, you’re living for someone else. God wants the hearts of His people and if the people’s hearts are not with Him, He will give them what they yearn. A heart which does not yearn for God is a heart set on a path of spiritual separation from God. God showed the people of Israel the consequences of their rejection of Him as King. Works Cited H. Crosby, D.D. Bible Hub. 2004-2013. http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/illustrator/1_kings/11.htm (accessed February 7, 2014). Hindson, Ed, and Gary Yates. The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2012. Hinson, Ed. Courageous Faith: Life Lessons From Old Testament Heroes. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003.

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