The History of Israel

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God’s rejection of Saul began the rise of David. The son of Jesse, a shepherd boy when chosen to be king. The youngest of eight sons who displayed courage and loyalty while guarding his father’s sheep. Killing a bear and lion as evidence. David obeyed and loved the Lord. His obedience, confidence and his servant heart showed forth in his love for God, Saul and his family. David’s commitment and devotion to God shows forth throughout the story of David and Goliath found in 1st Samuel chapter 17 (NIV). David facing a man who stood nine feet tall placed God first in addressing Goliath, stating in verse 45, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands.” David placed God first before himself, something Saul never did, giving God the glory and honor he deserved for a victory not being self centered and directing the praise toward him self. David had two opportunities to kill Saul but refused because of his respect for God’s anointed one. Waiting for God’s perfect timing. It was a devotion to God that led David. When David became king he continued to follow and honor God. Capturing Jerusalem, he began planning the building of a house worthy of God to dwell in. Not perfect, David did sin but unlike Saul sought repentance and forgiveness. David was an upright man, keeping God’s commandments and treating people just thru out his life.

Solomon, the third and final king of the United Monarchy was born the second child of King David and Bathsheba. He was known for his wisdom. A gift from God as told in 1st Kings chapter 3 verses 5 thru 14, (NIV), “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit in his throne this very day. Now, Lord my God, you made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between tight and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for your self, nor have asked for the death of you enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both wealth and honor- so that in you lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” From this passage it’s obvious that Solomon had a servant’s heart. Blessed with wisdom from God, Solomon’s downfall like Saul’s was disobedience to God. With God’s blessing came great confidence. This confidence caused Solomon to love many foreign women. God told the children of Israel, in 1st Kings chapter 11 verse 2 (NIV) “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon because of his wisdom thought he was above everyone else. Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. Solomon thought he was the exception to the rule but not in God’s eyes. Solomon placed sensual and sexual fulfillment before God. For all his wisdom these woman turned his heart away from God and caused the Kingdom of Israel to be split into two parts after his death.

Bibliography

Guzik, David. "Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Samuel Chapter 8." Enduring Word. N.p., 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2016.

Hindson, Edward E., and Gary E. Yates. The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2012. Print.

Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Print.

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