The Creator Reveals Himself-To Our Benefit - Part Two -Prosperity Under Kings

While Samuel was a judge in Israel, the people demanded  a human king. The first three kings-Saul, David, and Solomon-reigned 40 years each,  from 1117 to 997 B.C.E. Israel reached its pinnacle of wealth and glory, and the Creator took important steps in preparing for the kingship of the coming Seed. 

 As judges and prophet, Samuel cared well for Israel's spiritual welfare, but his sons were different.  The people finally demanded of Samuel:  "Now do appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations."  Jehovah explained to Samuel the import of their demand:  "Listen to the voice of the people . . . for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected from being king over them."  Jehovah foresaw the sad consequences of this development.  (1 Samuel 8:1-9)  Yet, in accord with their demand, he designated as king over Israel a modest man name Saul.  Despite his promising start, after becoming king, Saul showed wayward tendencies and overstepped God's commands.  God's prophet announced that the kingship  would be given to a man agreeable to Jehovah.  This should underscore for us how much the Creator values obedience from the heart. - 1 Samuel 15:22, 23.  

David, who was to be the next king of Israel, was the youngest son in a family of the tribe of Judah. As to this surprising choice, God told Samuel:  "Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is."  (1 Samuel 16:7)  Is it not encouraging that the Creator looks at what we are inside, not at outward appearances?  Saul, though, had his own ideas. From the time that Jehovah chose David as the future king, Saul was obsessed-driven by the idea of eliminating David.  Jehovah did not let that happen, and finally Saul and his sons died in battle against a warring people called the Philistines.

David ruled as king from the city of Hebron. Then he captured Jerusalem and moved his capital there.  He also extended Israel's borders to the full limit of the land God has promised to give  to Abraham's descendants. You can read of this period (and the history of later kings)  in six historical books of the Bible.  They reveal that David's life was not free from problems.  For instance, succumbing to human desire, he committed adultery with beautiful Bath-sheba and then committed other wrong deeds in order to cover his sin.  As the God of justice, Jehovah could not just ignore David's error. But because of David's heartfelt repentance, God did not require that the Law's penalty be rigidly applied; still, David would have many family problems as a result of his ins. 

Next time: The Creator Reveals Himself-To Our Benefit - Conclusion of Part Two-Prosperity Under Kings

From the book Is There a Creator That Cares About You?