4. Is the book of Samuel pro-monarchy or anti-monarchy? Why/Why not?
During the time of the prophet Samuel, the Israelite nation had reached an all time low in terms of their disobedience to God. Furthermore, they did the ultimate affront to God: they asked for a King to rule over them. Surprisingly, God granted their request, and sent Samuel to find the one chosen to be king. However, we can see from several of its passages that the book of I Samuel is anti-monarchy.
First, we take a look at I Samuel Chapter 8. Here we find God using Samuel to warn the Israelites about having a King:
“These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots… He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers…and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”
Next, we find Samuel giving another warning in Chapter 10:18-19:
[Samuel] Said to them “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said, ‘No! but set a king over us.
Finally, in all of Chapter 12, Samuel gives final warnings about having a King. However, he ends with one final piece of advice that shows the true nature of why he was against having a king. In Chapter 12:24-25, we read:
Only fear the LORD, and serve him faithfully 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.”
From this, we can determine that the reason why Samuel was against having a king was because it was showing that the Israelites had lost their trust in God and were turning to men for their answers and their guidance.
Sources:
http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/BIBLE/1SA/1SA8.HTM
http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/BIBLE/1SA/1SA10.HTM#17
http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/BIBLE/1SA/1SA12.HTM
