https://doi.org/10.25167/ScrS/4131
Samuel’s epoch was preceded by the Judge’s times which showed the critical political condition of Israeli tribes in those days. God’s calling Samuel (1 Sam 3) began a new era for the Chosen People. Eli, holding the office of the Judge and the highest priest, was not in a position to guarantee the unity for the dispersed tribes. Failure in the fight against the Philistines and the loss of the Covenant Box filled the measure of misfortune.
After twenty years of hidden life Samuel enters the scene of Biblical history (1 Sam 7,2–13,24). He anoints Saul of Beniamin tribe to be the king and thus initiates the monarchic epoch in Israeli history. The king’s duty was ti unite the dispersed tribes and to create a sufficient military force to defeat the Philistines or other enemies. The king enjoyed expected military successes but used undue authority when he usurped the competence of a priest (1 Sam 13,13). Then, he disobeyed the herem, i.e. the demand to exterminate totally the people and live stock of Amalekites (1 Sam 15,9). This conduct led to rejection of Saul by Yahweh who chose another servant – David. Samuel, obedient to Yahweh, secretly anointed David in his family town, Bethlehem, as the ruler (1 Sam 16,12). As long as Samuel had been alive, Israel ruled by Saul succeeded but when the prophet died the situation changed radically. The ultimate defeat came from the Philistines. It was then that Saul was killed on Mount Gilboa. After the king’s death, the ruling powers came to David who proved to be the saviour of the people.
Samuels mission was finally successfully fulfilled. He managed to establish a royal power in Israel, a power that showed to be vital to save the nation. After the hapless Saul’s kingship there came the golden time of David’s rule. David became a figure of the Messiah to come, Jesus Christ.
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