Day 98: Israel Asks for a King

Today's readings: 1 Samuel 6-8 and Psalm 86.

I. 1 Samuel 6 recounts how the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel after suffering severe plagues while it was in their possession. They take two cows and a cart, putting the Ark atop it with a "guilt offering" to stave off the plagues that had ravaged them. They released the cows, who immediately headed back to Israel, specifically Beth Shemesh. The Israelites were overjoyed, of course, but unfortunately, some had "looked into the Ark" and were slain by the Lord for doing so.

In the next chapter, some men from Kiriath-Jearim took the Ark to Eleazar, who was consecrated to guard it. The Ark remained with him for 20 years. Samuel called Israel to repent of their wickedness, which they did. The Philistines, of course, saw this as an opportunity to attack, and they fell upon Israel. God, however, intervened, and Israel was victorious. After the battle, Samuel set up a memorial stone and assumed leadership as judge over the Israelites.

1 Samuel 8 describes how Samuel's sons were not like their father, engaging in sin. Israel called for a king to rule over them instead. That in itself wasn't a problem, but their motivation was "to be like other nations." Samuel was displeased and warned them of the problems of having a king, to no avail. He prayed to God, who granted the Israelites' request.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

We are told that Samuel is a good judge and prophet. His sons, though, turn out to be wicked. As Christians, we hear the expression that God has only children, not grandchildren. Every generation must choose to follow him as the Father... At the end of 1 Samuel, the people ask for a king. They want to be like other nations. God's plan was for him to be their King, yet they want a human king. (p. 208)

II. Psalm 86 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. It begins with petitions for God's help, continues with a hymn of praise to God's greatness, and ends with further petitions for God's help. The Psalmist cries out to be rescued from ruthless men who seek his life. His prayer is fueled by the conviction that God is good (= attends to prayer and personal needs), merciful (= moved to pity by suffering and ready to forgive faults), and powerful (= more than capable of saving his people from trouble). Psalm 86 is the only psalm attributed to David in Book III of the Psalter. (p. 904)

That's it for today!