We were discussing the Philistines’ capture of the Ark of the Covenant.
And how they were overjoyed that they had achieved victory over Israel’s God.
But their joy would be short-lived.
The Lord made darn sure the Ark didn’t stay in Philistine territory for very long.
He toppled their god idol Dagon and inflicted miserable plagues on the people.
The Philistines’ reaction was instant.
The Ark had to go.
Out of sheer desperation, they managed to hoist the dangerous object onto a cart.
They then attached two cows to it and let the animals pull the cart, unmanned, until it crossed into Israelite territory.
Eventually, the Ark arrived in a local Israelite town called Beit Shemesh.
The people were overjoyed when they saw it.
However, there was just one problem.
They knew nothing of God’s Torah instructions to NEVER look directly at the Ark.
The consequence?
Several Israelites died on the spot.
Isn’t it interesting that the Israelites found themselves in the EXACT SAME SITUATION as the Philistines earlier?
Their reaction was also the same.
That Ark had to go!
They called on the men of Kiryat Ye’arim to take it away.
The Ark was then transported and stored in a common building, where it remained for decades.
Afterward, Samuel pleaded with the people to put aside their worship of false gods.
When in obedience, the Lord helped Israel keep Philistine aggression at bay for years.
But unfortunately, there was no lasting peace.
The Israelites eventually demanded that Samuel appoint a king modeled after the rulers of their gentile neighbors.
Samuel was concerned about this request,
But the Lord granted the people’s wishes.
Now, this is where a lot of folks’ theology falls right off the proverbial rails.
Here’s what a lot of homies don’t get.
During this time…
And ESPECIALLY during the era of the judges…
God had been preparing Israel for a king all along.
Did you catch that?
Lemme say that again for good measure.
It was during this time, especially during the period of the Judges, that the Lord had been demonstrating to Israel their need for a king.
I know a lot of folks will object to this by quoting the Lord’s declaration to Samuel…
“They have not rejected you;
They have rejected me as their king.”
My response is again, for like the millionth time, the issue was never whether the Lord wanted Israel to have a king or not.
The issue was WHAT KIND of king.
An uncircumcised king who does away with Torah?
Or a ruler from the line of David who administers justice in perfect alignment with God’s Word?
Are you feeling me here?
An uncircumcised gentile king carries with his rulership all kinds of unwanted drawbacks.
Such as taxation and forcing common citizens into military service, not to mention the ugly potential for tyranny.
Yet the people could’ve cared less.
They wanted a king patterned after the rulers of their gentile neighbors, and they wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise.
So, to close, the issue was never that God did not want a king for his people.
The issue was WHAT KIND OF KING.
That’s your takeaway for today.
It has always been the Lord’s intention to install a Davidic ruler who is faithful to Him and to His Torah.
Ya feeling me here?
Are we clear?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“The kingdoms of this world have
become the kingdom of our
Lord and of his Messiah
and he shall reign forever and ever.”
— Revelation 11:15
“And he shall reign over the
house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom
there shall be no end.”
— Luke 1:33
“He will be great and will be
called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David.”
— Luke 1:32
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