This question was also popular among the candidates. While most of these candidates were able to state correctly the consequences of Saul’s disobedience, they failed to mention how the Israelites were ruled by judges. They also failed to give the reasons Israel asked for a King. Instead of these vital points, most candidates stated how the King was chosen and anointed by Samuel, which was not required in the context. These made the candidates to lose a substantial portion of the obtainable marks. The following are some of the responses expected from candidates:
2. (a) DEMAND FOR THE MONARCHY (SAMUEL 8:1-5)
- Samuel became the next judge of Israel after Eli’s death.
- When he became old, he made his sons (Joel and Abijah) judges in Israel.
- These children judged Israel from Beersheba to Dan.
- Unfortunately, they did not walk in the ways of the Lord as their father did.
- They took bribes and perverted justice.
- This made Israel lose confidence in them and, therefore, asked for a king.
- They said to him ‘Behold you are old and your sons do not walk in your
ways’.
- Then, Israel felt like having a king to govern her as the other nations around
her.
(b) CONSEQUENCES OF THE KING’S DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD
(1 SAM. 15:1-25; 1 SAM. 31:1-13)
- Saul became disobedient when he spared king Agag of Amalek and the best of livestock.
- This disobedience caused Saul the kingdom as Samuel quickly announced his rejection by God as king over Israel.
- As a result of this disobedience, the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit started haunting him.
- Music was needed to soothe Saul anytime the torments started; hence, the employment of David to play the lyre to relieve him.
- The worst evil came to Saul when he and his three sons were killed in a war against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa.
- The Philistines placed his head and armour in the temple of their God, and displayed his body on the wall of Bethsham for the public.
