Period of the Kings

The fourth Period of Israel was a Monarchical Period. When the people of Israel saw the 

gentile nations around them who had kings to rule over them, they also wanted to adopt the 

same for them. So they persuaded Samuel to anoint a king for them. This petition was a direct 

and deliberate rejection of God’s rule over them. “It is not you they have rejected, but they 

have rejected me as their king.” 1 Sam 8:7. Then Samuel explained before them the 

advantages and the disadvantages of the Monarchical reign over them (I Samuel 8:8-18, 

10:25). He also explained to them the regulations of kingship and wrote it on a scroll and kept 

it before the Lord.

THE RISE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MONARCHY

A. Background of the Period of United Monarchy

This period is called the Golden age in the history of the nation Israel. This covers a period of 

120 years from 1040 BC to 930 BC. The books under this period are from First Samuel to the 

11th chapter of First King.

There were a number of extensive changes in political, social, and religious life in the history 

of Israel. Beginning amid the chaos and degradation of that era under the Judges when there 

was no king in Israel, the period ends with Solomon’s splendid empire. Israel begins as a 

twelve-tribe confederacy unified by certain ethnic ties but even more strongly by a common 

faith in Yahweh. At the end of the period Israel is the strongest nation in Western Asia. In 1 

Samuel, people make pilgrimage to the simple shrines of Eli at Shiloh; by 1 Kings 11, they 

have an elaborately constructed royal temple.

This period saw an almost total transformation in Israel’s political and economic life. David 

and his son made Judah and Israel into a military entity able to dominate their neighbors, and 

into a commercial enterprise bringing extraordinary wealth and fame. The divided tribes were 

joined together by a strong monarchy that was the model for almost four centuries. It was 

indeed Israel’s golden era.

During the period of judges Israel made no attempt to create a state. Indeed the very idea of 

monarchy was not a coveted one to true Israelites (cf. Judg.8:22f; 9:7-21). Yahweh, the Lord 

of his people, rules and saves them through his charismatic representative.Samuel the Prophet

After Eli, Samuel was raised to the leadership. He served the Lord from the period of judges 

and continued many years after the monarchy was established. He anointed two kings. He 

was a mighty man. He was a judge, prophet, commander, priest and one who renewed the 

covenant law. His story is found in First Samuel chapters 1-12.

Perhaps the greatest Old Testament figure since Moses, Samuel played a pivotal role in the 

crucial transition from confederacy to Monarchy. He was the last of the Judges and the 

guiding light in the establishment of the kingship.

Reasons for the demand of a king

The first reason is the weakness of the Tribal league. The tribal league survived for nearly 

two hundred years. All the battles waged under the leadership of the judges were defensive, 

except for Deborah’s victory; the gained Israel no new territory. Amorites, Moabites and 

Philistine neighbors were pressurizing Israel (Judg1:34-36). All the clans continued to have 

Canaanite communities in their midst which they could not master (Judg1). Nor was the tribal 

organization able to restrain the dominant forces that operated. It could not enforce purity of 

Yahwism, nor at any time persuade all Israel to act in harmony; nor could it prevent inter-

tribal rivalries (Jud12:1-6)

The second reason was the pressure of philistines. The Philistines were their worst enemies. 

They looked down upon the Israelites. They were powerful people. The Philistines captured 

the Ark of God, which was the symbol of the presence and might of God. This crisis that 

brought the Israelite tribal league to an end came in the later part of the 11th century BC. 

Israelite confederacy fell before Philistine aggression. The Philistines were the sorts of foe 

with which Israel’s loose organization could not cope. They were tough, fighters with a 

strong military tradition. Many Israelites, by now, realized their condition would be hopeless 

unless strong leadership could be found. It was in this situation that Israel demanded a King.

The third reason was the wickedness of the sons of Samuel. The sons of Samuel were wicked 

and they did not rule over Israel justly when Samuel became old. Samuel’s sons took bribes. 

So the peoples demand for a king was reasonable (1 Sam 8:1-5).

It was the public opinion that they need a king. First they asked for a king then justice (1 Sam 

8:20). But the way they were asking was wrong. God wanted them to be special people. Inasking a king like other nations they were losing the identity. These are the main pressures, 

which laid the foundation of the monarchy in Israel. The demand was granted but with a 

warning. It is very significant to note that even after the Israelites made an unjustified and 

wrong demand, God fulfilled their demand and provided them a period of 120 years of 

Golden Age. There were three kings in this period.

King Saul

Saul was the first king of Israel. He is from the tribe of Benjamin and his father a Kish. He 

was an impressive young man (1 Samuel 9:2). There was no one like him among all the 

people of Israel (1 Samuel 10:24). He was so humble (1 Samuel 9:21). He was courageous (1 

Samuel 11:6, 7). He was a person accepting his faults (1 Samuel 24:16-18).

According to the appointment of Saul as King we see three steps.

1. Samuel anointed Saul as King at Ramah confidentially (1 Samuel 9:1-10:16)

2. Samuel appointed him as the King publicly before the people of Israel (1 Samuel 

10:17-24)

3. After the triumphant victory over the Amorites, Samuel reaffirmed the Kingship of 

Saul before the presence of God at Gilgaal (1 Samuel 11:14, 15).

He was appointed as the King of Israel by the agreement of the prophet and by the public 

approval of the people. He began his ministry by the encouragement of the Holy Spirit as the 

judges rule before him (1 Samuel 11:6). So he became popular and highly respected. But his 

story ended in tragedy.

The reason of his failures (1 Chronicles 10:13, 14).

1. He was unfaithful to the Lord. (In some version is stated that he trespassed) 1 

Samuel 13:9. Since he was the King he was not supposed to offer sacrifices.

2. He did not keep the word of the Lord. He was commanded by the Lord to 

annihilate totally the people of Amalekites instead he kept them safe (1Samuel 15:1-

5)

3. He consulted a medium for guidance and did not inquire of the Lord (1 Samuel 

28:5-8).

So the Lord put him to death and turned the Kingdom over to David.

King David

Samuel chose David the shepherd boy, avoiding all the young and impressive elder sons of 

Jesee the Bethlehamite (1 Sam 16:1-13). Murder of Goliath made David very popular. Davidbecame the sincere friend of Jonathan (1 Sam 18:1-5). When the fame of David was 

increased Saul became jealous over David and became a dreadful enemy. Thus David became 

a fugitive 1 Sam.22:1-5.

* When the Kingdom of Israel was established there was a minor gap between the Northern 

tribes and the Southern tribes. Solomon had an open favor with the tribe of Judah, which 

made the gap between them. 

* Hardship of labor

* Heavy taxation

* Compelled army service

When Rehoboam, the son of Solomon was deputed as the king, all the people of Israel 

gathered together at Shechem, appealed to the King the following petitions:- 1 Kings 

12:4,10,11 & 16.

1. Reduce taxation

2. Abate hardship of servitude

There was a person named Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt for life due to the fear of King 

Solomon, returned to Israel and became the leader of this hostile party 1 Kings 11:26-40; 

12:2,3. Reheboam could not deal the state of affairs diplomatically. But he handled it 

arrogantly. Due to this the state of affair was ruined. The Northern tribes proclaimed, “What 

is our part in David?” Ten tribes broke off their relation with the tribe of Judah (1 Kings 

12:1-20). This revolt was beyond the control and could not put to an end. Thus the kingdom 

was divided into two. Rehoboam became the King of Judah and Jeroboam was deputed as the 

king of North. Northern kingdom was known as Israel and it became very powerful. When 

the Kingdom was divided, Israel lost their control over the surrounding nations. Philistines, 

Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites became Independent kingdoms. Syria became more 

powerful. Israel and Judah continued their enmity.