Books of Samuel: Difference between revisions

Samuel answers the description of the "prophet like Moses" predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15–22: like Moses, he has direct contact with [[Yahweh]], acts as a judge, and is a perfect leader who never makes mistakes.{{sfn|Breytenbach|2000|pp=53–55}} Samuel's successful defense of the Israelites against their enemies demonstrates that they have no need for a king (who will, moreover, introduce inequality), yet despite this the people demand a king. But the king they are given is YahwehAdonai's gift, and Samuel explains that kingship can be a blessing rather than a curse if they remain faithful to their God. On the other hand, total destruction of both king and people will result if they turn to wickedness.{{sfn|Klein|2003|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6OJvO2jMCr8C&pg=PA316 316]}}

Saul is the chosen one: tall, handsome and "goodly",<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|9:2|KJV}}: King James Version</ref> a king appointed by Yahweh,Adonai and anointed by Samuel, YahwehAdonai's prophet, and yet he is ultimately rejected.{{sfn|Hertzberg|1964|p=19}} Saul has two faults which make him unfit for the office of king: carrying out a sacrifice in place of Samuel,<ref>1 Samuel 13:8–14</ref> and failing to exterminate the [[Amalekites]], in accordance to God's commands, and trying to compensate by claiming that he reserved the surviving Amalekite livestock for sacrifice.<ref>1 Samuel 15</ref>{{sfn|Klein|2003|p=319}}