2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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A BOOK OF ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1
1 Samuel 13:14; 15:22
2 Peter 1:19-21
“We have also a more sure
word of prophecy.”
A BOOK OF ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS
The thirty-nine books in the Old Testament are divided into the Pentateuch (the Law), the historical books, the “wisdom” books and the prophets. The Book of Joshua is the first historical book and begins with the settlement of Israel in the Land of Canaan. The Book of First Samuel (the fourth historical book of the Old Testament) tells of the transition in Israel from judges to kings. The division of First Samuel as a separate book came from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Originally, First Samuel to Second Kings were one book, but later was divided into four. These divisions were meant for easy reference but do not change the content of the books. This system has since become the standard for recognizing the books of the Bible.
The writer of First Samuel is not mentioned anywhere in the text. When God did not mention the human writer, He says, “Man need not know.” Just know that God is the Author! Three hundred to four hundred years have passed since Joshua led the Israelites into Cis-Jordan to occupy the Land of Promise. God was Israel’s King i.e. Israel was a theocracy. First Samuel records why and when the theocratic rule of God over Israel ended. Tired of the old and repetitive sinful way of “everyone doing what was right in their own eyes,” Israel demanded a king from the LORD. God granted Israel their sinful request for a king. This was the beginning of the monarchy.
Having a king was not wrong, but the reason Israel had when they asked for a king was wrong. Replacing theocratic rule with a monarchical rule would not improve Israel’s spiritual well-being when the problem was not the system of rule but the sins of Israel. Tragically, Israel would end with an exile that cost her sovereignty. The sin of idolatry is a very serious transgression that no believer must take lightly.
THOUGHT: Man, not the system, is usually the problem.
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that Thy Word reveals all the truth I need to live for Christ.