DQ5. Is David the first King of Israel? Why or why not?
David is not the first king of Israel, he is the second king.
David was the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel. He is depicted as a righteous king—although not without fault—as well as an acclaimed warrior, musician and poet (he is traditionally credited with the authorship of many of the Psalms). His life and reign, as recorded in the Hebrew Bible’s books of Samuel (from I Samuel 16 onwards) and Chronicles, have been of central importance to Jewish and Western culture.
God withdraws his favor from King Saul and sends the prophet Samuel to Jesse, “for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” The choice falls upon David, the youngest son, who is guarding his father’s sheep: “He was ruddy, and fine in appearance with handsome features. And the LORD said [to Samuel], ‘Anoint him; for this is he.’”
Saul personal name meaning is “asked for”; he is the first king of Israel. Saul is primary refers to the first king of united Israel, a son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-2,21) Saul was chosen by God and secretly anointed by Samuel, Saul was selected publicly by lot, he proved himself an able leader by delivering the city of Jabesh-gilead and was acclaimed king at Gilgal.
Saul failed to correspond to the covenant ideal (1 Samuel 13-31). Saul quickly demonstrated that he was not prepared to the requirements of the covenantal kingship. Saul rejected the Word of the Lord and rebelled against the Lord, he failed to rule in a way consisted with the requirements of a covenantal king.
Saul The first king of Israel, Saul (reigned ca. 1020-1000 B.C.) was a man of valor who brought the virtues of modesty and generosity to his office.
The youngest son of Kish of the tribe of Benjamin, Saul was a modest shepherd boy, a resident of Gibeah, when the prophet Samuel, after a chance meeting, secretly chose and anointed him king of Israel. It was a period of national humiliation, for the Philistines had defeated the Israelites at Shiloh and captured the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized the presence of God in their midst. This calamity convinced the Israelites that they must either strive for national unity with a king as leader or face complete and permanent subjugation.
Saul succeeded in freeing Israel of its enemies and extending its boundaries. He fought successfully against the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Arameans, and Amalekites. He also succeeded in drawing the tribes of Israel into a closer unity.
Saul’s initial conflict with Samuel occurred after Saul offered a sacrifice to God, thereby assuming Samuel’s office. Samuel rebuked Saul and proclaimed that Saul’s dynasty would not be continued on the throne of Israel. Their second disagreement took place after Saul retained the war booty of the defeated Amalekites, Israel’s traditional enemy, and spared the life of their king, Agag. Samuel publicly pronounced Saul’s deposition from the throne. Saul fell into a state of melancholia that developed into an emotional disorder.
Saul’s fits of depression and his moody, suspicious temperament caused him to attack the lad David, who had been brought into his household to soothe him by playing music. Jealous of David, Saul persecuted him, attacked him, sent him on perilous expeditions, and finally made him into an outlaw.
The Philistines then renewed their attack on Israel. Without David’s support and depressed by the feeling that God had deserted him, Saul consulted a witch of Endor, seeking to recall the spirit of the dead Samuel. He was reproached and advised of his impending doom. In a battle against the Philistines Saul fought valiantly but vainly. His forces routed and his three sons slain, Saul died by his own hand.
REFERENCES:
Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology By: Walter A. Elwell
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary By: Holman
The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible By: Bruce M. Metzer Michael D. Coogan
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible By: James Hastings
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia By: Geoffrey W. Bromiley General Editor
The New Webster’s International Encyclopdia By: Michael D. Harkavy Volume 8
The World Book Encyclopedia Volume 17
