We start to see how closely connected the lives of Samuel, Saul, Jonathan and David truly are. All these men’s lives were shaped and irrevocably changed by the events surrounding the High Priest Eli and the confiscation of the Ark of the Covenant. We also see the beginnings of David’s quick rise in stature from a modest shepherd boy to a royal court entertainer and finally a leading warrior in Saul’s army.
Author: Daniel
Saul is given another test by the LORD but Saul doesn’t know it was his final test. Saul’s acquiescence to peer pressure became his downfall and Samuel tells Saul that the kingdom will be given to another.
The decline of Saul’s rule over Israel is again evident in 1st Samuel 14. His son Jonathan shows himself to be a great warrior against the Philistines with some characteristics of David.
Saul, the ruler of Israel, can’t wait seven days for Samuel to arrive to perform a sacrifice, and Saul’s family loses rulership. Meanwhile, God had started establishing Judah in rulership in Troy then Athens, Rome and London.
1st Samuel 12 records a sad and foreboding “farewell” for one of ancient Israel’s most influential prophets and judges. The leaders tell Shmuel (Samuel) to retire, because they want a powerful ruler like the other nations.
This treatment is similar to the rebellion centuries earlier against Moses (Numbers 16–18) and centuries later against Yeshua the Mashiakh (Jesus the Christ).
The “Snake” of Ammon picks a fight with Israel, giving Saul his first test as leader. His success cemented his authority. Yet some despising of him mirrors the rejection of Yeshua as God’s Messiah.
What do the strange references to donkeys, goats, bread, wine and musical instruments have to do with the anointing of Saul as ruler? What do these symbols have to do with the Messiah?