In order to understand Israel’s situation as it existed during Samuel’s era, let’s see if you can guess which nation I’m about to describe.
Keep in mind, this is a modern nation that exists today.
So let’s go.
FIRST, this nation does NOT have a central government.
The western media will pretend this country has a government that speaks for its citizens but nothing could be further from the truth.
Any form of central government that seems to exist in this nation only does so because it pays bribes and tribute to certain powerful tribes who operate behind the scenes.
These tribes are happy to remain quiet and non-violent as long as they are given certain privileges and freedoms.
SECOND, this nation is awash in internal tribal warfare.
Why?
Because every tribe in the region is fighting to gain dominance.
In fact, from their perspective, accepting any form of democratic government is an offense to their religion Islam.
Remember, Islam, at its heart, is rooted in tribalism, not democracy or even monarchy.
THIRD, although this nation appears to have a national army, it’s loyalties are hopelessly splintered between those tribes who are at odds with each other because of their aggressive attachment to their own clans and particular sects of Islam.
Trying to get anything done in the country always requires some kind of a negotiation.
And loyalties can form, end or switch over literally overnight depending on the political situation.
So do you have any idea which nation I’m talking about?
Take a guess.
The answer is Pakistan.
And the picture of confusion and instability I painted for you is EXACTLY how things are in the country today.
Why?
Because at its very core, the nation of Pakistan is rooted in tribalism.
And their current situation is also a pretty accurate description of how Israel was during and immediately after the era of the Judges.
In Pakistan, you’ve got the Pushtan tribe of 25 million who possess a crazy and murderous army of extremist militants who could care less about any form of central government unless they are the central government.
Then you’ve got a group called the Taliban.
You’ve heard of these homies, haven’t you?
These folks form a radical Islamic sect known as the Sunni Muslims and they absolutely DETEST the idea of accepting any kind of democratic or western form of government.
The only form of government they’ll accept is an Islamic theocracy that of course they and they alone would control.
If they had the power and the means, not only would they not think twice about wiping out their own country’s current government…
But they’d love to destroy the “infidel nations” of Israel, India and the USA as well.
So in Samuel’s time…
Just as it is in Pakistan today…
You had one group of privileged Israelites who weren’t happy with the current arrangement because it didn’t benefit themselves.
They wanted to install a centrally controlled government they felt would give them the prosperity, protection and security they were seeking.
That’s why they were crying out for a king.
Most likely a king they thought they’d be able to manipulate for their benefit…
However, others didn’t want any form of monarchy.
Because it was a threat to their tribal way of life.
Can you sense all of the political friction and tension in the air?
Now I don’t know if you realize it…
But a lack of NOT understanding tribalism is why Westerners (especially those of the evangelical Christian ilk) have a hard time understanding the ancient Hebrew Scriptures.
It’s so radically different from any form of government your average Westerner is familiar with.
Sure, we may get regularly broadcasts on our evening news about all of the tribal conflicts happening in the Middle East.
But I betcha even the Western media hasn’t a clue of what they’re reporting beyond a superficial understanding that barely cracks the surface.
The reality is tribalism represents a mindset and culture that’s miles apart from the West.
Anyways, I hope today’s post gave you some idea why Israel wanting a king was considered so crazy and radical.
It’s because it represented a departure from tribalism…
Which was the only form of existence Israel knew at this time.
See ya all next time.
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