1b Israel Under the Law

Description of the Faithless Report of the Majority of the Israeli Spies To The Promised Land and Its Possible Implications From Numbers 13 in 1490 BC

The twelve spies all brought back a report to Moses and the people of Israel what they had seen in the promised land of Canaan or Israel according to their journeys there for 40 days. None of the spies denied it was a good and fruitful land with all of them saying it was a land of milk and honey. However, immediately after that the 10 spies that returned the faithless report shifted focus to the existing inhabitants that they were strong and had great fortifications. However Caleb, one of the faithful spies with Joshua, gave a more faithful report which looked not just at what Israel could do with their own strength but that with God's strength the Israelites could get the victory over their adversaries in the promised land and that the Israelites could take possession of it as God promised them. The ten spies then spoke and re-emphasized Israel's standing in their own strength in their own sight and what they thought they would be without God's help in the sight of the people of the land. God called their report an evil report. According to verse 20 of this chapter, this was the time of firstripe grapes which was probably in early August or late July in the western calendar. The Jews have a tradition to this day perhaps in some of their other writings like in the Talmud that the day the majority of the spies brought the evil report became a day God has cursed on their calendar from that time to the present and that will last until the start of the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom. This day is the infamous Tisha B'Av or ninth of the Jewish month (the fifth month) of Av which is part of July and August on the western calendar. Some notable things that definitely happened on that day were the destructions of the 1st (Solomon's) in about 586 BC and the 2nd (Herod's) in 70 AD Temples and probably other more recent events such as the inquisition in Spain and perhaps the beginning of the so-called final solution of Adolf Hitler to try to kill all the Jews in World War 2. There is a scripture in Zechariah 8 that says the Ninth of Av and some other Fast Days assciated with the destruction of Solomon's Temple and mentioned in Jeremiah will become joyful feasts in the Messianic Kingdom. Anyway whether the return of the faithless report by the majority of the 12 Israeli spies of the promised land was on the Ninth of Av or not I can't say for sure but at least it would have been clearly the right time of the year and would be close if it wasn't the exact date. However it the faithless report of the spies of the land of Israel was on that day God could have taken great offence to that beyond the 40 years wandering in the wilderness in his punishment for the Jewish people. A lifting of this curse on the Ninth of Av in the Messianic Kingdom would also make sense with this interpretation since then the Jewish people will be in their land permanently including the New Earth never to be scattered again to the ends of the earth. The Jews continue to return to the land of Israel right now and this is preparing for the Messianic Kingdom although there will be the 7 year tribulation for the Jews and the nations before the Messianic Kingdom. The scripture reference in Numbers 13 of the faithless report of the majority of the Israelite spies into the promised land is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Numbers 13 of the Faithless Report of the Majority of Israelite Spies Into the Promised Land in 1490 BC

And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:26-33

1451 BC Distinction Between Main Types of Sacrifices in Numbers 28 and 29 and Leviticus

In Numbers 28 and 29 there is an extended list with the required sacrfices of all the Jewish feasts as well as the daily, sabbath and new moon offerings. I just read this passage recently and one thing the Lord showed me is that it is only the sin offering that the scripture says it gave atonement while the burnt offering were a sweet savour unto the LORD. This is quite consistant in these chapters and in most of Leviticus chapters 1 to 7 where the sacrficies are also covered. The exception for some reason seems to be Leviticus 1:4 where God says in His word that the burnt offering was also for an atonement but this seems to be an exception and is not mentioned any other scripture that I could find about the burnt offering or peace offering or meal offering that were also sweet savour offerings. Sweet savour offerings were called that because they weren't given to cover sin(s) but for other purposes such as the burnt offering to show devotion to the LORD. IN the New TEstament the LOrd JEsus Christ fulfills both types of sacrifice as he not only atones or covers our sins but takes them away if we trust in Him according to the scripture but he also totally devoted himself to the FAther as is especially clear from the Gospel of John where Jesus emphasizes he came to do the will of Him who sent Him meaning of God the Father. Both these types of sacrifices brought honour to God in the Old Testament and in the Lord JEsus in their New Testament fulfillment but they had different purposes and the HEbrew Scriptures seem quite consistant in making a distinction between the two types. The scripture reference from Numbers 28 of the distintion between the sweet savour offerings and the sin offering is as follows:

1451 BC Scripture Reference from Numbers 28 of Distinction Between Sweet Savour Offerings and Sin Offering

But ye shall offer the burnt-offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; ... And one goat for a sin-offering, to make an atonement for you. Numbers 28:27, 22

1451 BC Moses Instructs Potential Israelite Landowners to Tithe to Look After All People Within Their Gates (on Their Property) in Deuteronomy 26

Although the word gates can be and is by some Christians and Bible teachers interpreted as towns or cities and verses such as the following are interpreted to mean the Levites, strangers etc. within the town of cities of the Israelites, I personally do not think this is the case for verses such as this. Part of the reason I think this is that the word "thy" is used in the King James Version that is the second person or you singular while the word your would most likely be used in these instances if God and Moses meant all the strangers within their own property. References such as not to interfere with the ancient landmark elsewhere in the Old TEstament also indicates that the Jews in Israel had boundaries for their own property. The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament also indicates that there were wealthy landowners in the Old Testament times like Boaz that looked after strangers such as Ruth on their property. Ruth was a Moabite and would be classified as a stranger or foreigner by the Israelites. In this reference the Israelites were expected to give tithes to provide for the Levites, the strangers, the widows and the fatherless (orphans) on their property. This reference should not be applied rigidly for Christians as Christians are under the New TEstament and God's leading by the Holy Spirit rather than the Law of Moses but some of these references in Deuteronomy could apply to Israel or perhaps to some extent to other nations when Jesus as the Messiah rules the world through Israel in the Millennial or Messianic Kingdom after His second coming. This could be an indication from the part of the Bible that is also Jewish scriptures that references such as this in Deuteronomy have given the Jewish people to this day a value or belief in the rights and responsibilities of owning private property. The scripture reference from Deuteronomy 26 that is probably about the responsibility of Jewish landowners to look after the people that can't provide for themselves on their property is as follows:

1451 BC Scripture Reference from Deuteronomy 26 of Responsibility of Jewish Landowners in the Land of Israel to Look after Other People Not Able to Provide for Themselves on Their Property

When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Then thou shalt say unto the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them: Deuteronomy 26:12-13

Moses Carries Out God's Command to Appoint Joshua as His Successor to Lead Israel or the Jews to Possess the Land of Canaan or the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 31 About 1450 BC

The LORD reminded Moses that he was very old and about to die and have to give up leadership of the people of Israel. God instructed Moses to call Joshua as the appointed heir to his leadership and bring him with Moses to the tabernacle where the LORD dwelt. When Moses and Joshua were in the tabernacle, then the LORD appeared to them in a pillar of cloud at the door of the tabernacle. There the LORD revealed to Moses that he would very shortly die then the people of Israel would rebel against the LORD and his leadership and fall away from him to worship false gods or idols. This would then arouse the anger of the LORD against his chosen earthly people Israel and he would discipline them by withdrawing his protection and allow them to go through trials. This would cause the Israelites or Jews to think why these troubles came upon them and that it would likely be because God had withdrawn his presence and protection from them because they withdrew from His principles and precepts. Although it doesn't say it very clearly here, other scriptures make clear that when the Israelites called out to the LORD after they went through troubles due to their forsaking him for false gods and other lawlessness, God would have mercy and restore his presence and protection to them. The LORD will to the greatest extent restore his blessing, presence and protection to Israel or the Jews after they call out to him in the tribulation or time of Jacob's trouble for their ungodliness. Also in this case God will move to repentance His chosen earthly people the Jews for not previously in general recognizing their Messiah in Jesus of Nazareth. Most of the Jews of people of Israel, about 80% both in Israel and in North America are secular and don't even make much effort to follow the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament and more follow secular humanism or the New Age Movement which are not compatible with serving and trusting first in the God of Israel with their lives. The LORD is probably upset too that the civil laws of the nation of Israel are based mostly on English and Ottoman Turkish law and not on the Torah or other Jewish scriptures and are in same cases becoming more ungodly. The LORD is angry with this situation as He was when the Israelites weren't following Him or serving Him in Old Testament days and God urge them to come back to Him and wholeheartedly trust in Him. The Jews or the nation of Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah after they have been betrayed by the Antichrist or false Messiah in the tribulation and Jesus or Y'Shua as the true Messiah comes again in power and great glory at the end of the tribulation or 70th week of Daniel. The scripture reference from Deuteronomy 31 of the LORD transferring his position of authority from Moses to Joshua over his chosen earthly people Israel just before they went into the promised land of Canaan or Israel to possess it is as follows. Also covered is the LORD's prediction that when Israel got comfortably established in the promised land they would turn from him to the false gods of those nations.

Scripture Reference from Deuteronomy 31 of the LORD Transferring His Leadership Over Israel From Moses to Joshua and His Prediction Israel Would Forsake Him When in the Promised Land About 1450 BC

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle. And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they shall say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them for a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee (you). Deuternomy 31:14-23

Twelve Tribes of Israel Courtesy Ryrie Study Bible from the Moody Bible Institute

God Parts the Jordan River to Allow Joshua and the Israelites to Pass Over It to the Promised Land Of Israel From Moab on the Other Side of Jordan in Joshua 3 in 1451 BC

On the day on which God set for Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land, according to the instructions from the LORD, the priests that bore the ark of the covenant went first. When the feet of these priests dipped into the JOrdan River, the Jordan River backed up on both sides of where they were standing so they and the rest of the Israelites could cross the Jordan River on dry land as God had caused with the Red Sea about 40 years earlier. The rest of the Israelites followed the priests and crossed into the promised land of Israel around Jericho which is still a city in Israel until this day although now it is partly under the juerisdiction of the Palestinian Arabs. In verse 17 the scripture just confirms the priests and all Israel passed over where the Jordan River normally is on dry ground and then stood safely on Israeli soil of what was then the land of Canaan that God had given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and their descendants for an inheritance. The rest of the book of Joshau is the inspired account of the Israelites as God's chosen earthly people fighting with God's help to secure the land of Israel or Canaan God had promised them. The scripture reference from Joshua 3 of God bringing the Israelites safely across the Jordan River by blocking it up so the Israelites could go across on dry land is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Joshua 3 of the Israelites Crossing the Jordan River Onto the Promised Land of Israel or Canaan in 1451 BC

And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. Joshua 3:14-17

1450 BC Mention for the First Time in Some Form of the Term the Land of Israel from Joshua 11

One thing I found is that even though in current news and biblical history we mention a lot the term the land of Israel, it is not mentioned exactly that way although it is mentioned often as the land implying the land of Israel in the Bible. The first mention of the term land of Israel is about God's charge is about God's charge to the Israelites to remove Canaanites and other Gentiles or non-Jews from the promised land to make way for the Israelites living there for God and so they wouldn't be enticed by the idols or false gods of the nations. This use of the term isn't exactly the land of Israel but the land of the children of Israel but sets the stage for the use of the term directly as land of Israel later in the scriptures. The first time the use of term land of Israel in some form in connection with God's charge with God's charge to remove some of the Gentiles from the holy land in Joshua 11 is as follows:

1450 BC Scripture Reference from Joshua 11 of First Use in the Bible of Some Form of the Term the Land of Israel

There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. Joshua 11:22

Departure of Israel from Serving the LORD Soon After They Arrived in the Promised Land After the Time of Joshua in Judges 2 About 1420 BC

God states that his chosen earthly people of Israel served him all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua or through the next generation. This is also a credit to Joshua as it means he was faithful to God to oversee the teaching of God's word and ways to the next generation. This is something that is sorely needed at this time with godly parents as well in this time of lawlessness or worldliness. However the next generation, two generations after Joshua and one generation after the elders that outlived Joshua arose that had not been taught in the things of the LORD or to honour the LORD. Alternatively as the passage here said they knew not the LORD or didn't have a relationship with Him or his works that he had done for Israel such as delivering them from Egypt or giving them the victory over their enemies to occupy the promised land. This new generation probably relied on their own understanding instead of the word of God at that time only the Law of Moses to make their decisions. This probably led them to think they should be more broadminded and permit evil and the religion of the people of the land - the Canaanites or the surrounding peoples such as the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Egyptians or Syrians. The Israelites as a result served Baalim which was the male fertility god and sun god of the Canaanites. This also made the Israelites despise the LORD and forsake him as they might have thought he wasn't permissive enough as they could do with the immorality in serving Baal. They also served Ashtoreth which was the Canaanite form of the female fertility goddess or mother goddess. This caused the LORD to get angry because of Israel's unfaithfulness even though he made a covenant with them with Abraham and Moses and had delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Because they wouldn't honour God and His principles God withdrew His protection of Israel and allowed their enemies to defeat and enslave them. After a while Israel became very distressed or anxious and dispirited. The scripture reference in Judges 2 of the departure of Israel from serving the LORD shortly after the death of Joshua when they were in the promised land of Israel or Canaan is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Judges 2 of the Departure of Israel from Serving the LORD Soon After They Came Into the Promised Land of Canaan or Israel After the Death of Joshua About 1420 BC

And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. And also that generation were gathered unto their fathers(buried): and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtoreth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever (wherever) they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Judges 2:7-15

God's Instituting Judges to Govern Israel in the Early Period When They Were in the Land of Israel in Judges 2 Starting About 1420 BC

After the death of Moses and Joshua God saw that he couldn't always get great men to lead his people without some more structure or authority. God therefore established the system of judges to raise up men that would deliver his chosen earthly people Israel when the nation fell into sin and departing from God. At this time of falling into sin God led Israel to call out to Him for deliverance from their enemies and their gods(empowered by evil spirits or demons). The judges of Israel were also to provide godly leadership after they delivered Israel from their sin and their enemies. However God shares through the author of the Book of Judges that often in this time of apostasy or willful sin against God in this time of the judges Israel often disobeyed or ignored God's righteous leadership through his judges. This was even though God was with these godly judges as long as they judged or ruled Israel. A main reason God sent these judges was because it grieved God to hear the groanings of His people Israel when they became oppressed by the other nations when God withdrew his protection when they forsook Him and His law. The Israelites would often follow the righteous judges and the LORD as long as the judge lived but when the judges died they then went right back into sin and following their own ways instead of God's ways especially the worshipping of false gods and accompanying idolatry and other sin. This cycle consists partly of obedience under a godly judge, departing from God and the godly rule of the judge when they died into idolatry and other sin, God giving the Israelites then into the hand of their enemies. This cycle also consisted of the Israelites' eventually crying out to God for deliverance from their oppression and misery and God raising up another righteous judge to deliver them. This cycle continued through the period of the judges for the next 300 years from about 1400 to 1100 BC until the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel under its first king Saul. The scripture reference from Judges 2 of the institution of righteous judges for the LORD to rule Israel and their only partial or temporary heed to them and God and the necessity of God to deliver Israel from her enemies with a further judge is as follows:

Scripture Reference in Judges 2 of the Institution of Judges for the LORD to Deliver and Give Godly Rule Over His Earthly People Israel in the First Part of Their History in Their Land from About 1400 to 1100 BC

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. And when the LORD raised up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD(the LORD regretted) because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. Judges 2:16-19

1290 to 1279 BC Egyptian Pharaoh Seti 1 or Sethos 1 Rules Egypt and Invades Asia Including Israel Mentioned in Judges 6:8-10

The period of the Judges lasted a couple hundred years from about 1400 to 1100 BC from after Joshua to the time of Samuel. During this time probably just after Deborah and Barak and before Gideon there was a powerful Pharaoh named Seti 1 or Sethos 1. He paid a lot of homage to the Egyptian god Osiris that was the god of the dead and built large memorials to him still standing at a place in Egypt named Abydos. In a biblical significance Seti 1 also invaded Asia including the land of Israel and had his officials rule there including making a temple in a place in Israel called Beth Shan near the Jordan River. This is probably part of what is referred to in Judges 6:9 where God delivering the Israelites out of the hand of the Egyptians probably refers not only delivering them from Egyptian bondage in the time of Moses when they were in Egypt but probably also delivering the Israelites from Egyptian oppression in the land of Israel under the control of the Egyptian Pharaoh Seti 1 who did invade and I believe temporarily occupy parts of West Asia including the land of Israel during Seti 1's rule and probably just before the time of the Biblical judge Gideon and Judges 6 including the following scripture reference that compares the Israelites deliverance from the Egyptians to not only their time in Egypt under Pharaoh but also to their time of oppression in the land of Israel under other foreign nations after that time:

1290 to 1279 BC Scripture Reference from Judges 6 of Probably Reference to God's Deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian Control Not Only When the Israelites Were in Egypt but Also When the Egyptians Under Pharaoh Seti 1 Were in the Land of Israel

And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice. Judges 6:7-10

1290 to 1279 BC Scripture Reference from Judges 10 That God Delivered the Israelites from Many Neighbouring Gentile People Including the Egyptians Perhaps Including When Pharaoh Seti 1 Occupied Israel

Just before the Israelite ninth judge Jeppthah around 1200 BC it is recorded that Israel was again under bondage to Gentile powers in the form of the Ammonites and Philistines. The LORD said to the Israelites that they were under bondage of these Gentile powers because of the sins of the Israelites just as they had become under bondage because of their previous sins under other Gentile powers including the Egyptians. Almost all the other Gentile powers listed here were those surrounding Israel that came into Israel and oppressed the Israelites in their own land. The mention of the Egyptians could include the Israelites being oppressed when they were strangers in Egypt and under slavery before God delivered them through Moses. However part of the mention of oppression of the Israelites here could be the oppression of the Israelites in their own land by Egypt under Pharaoh Seti 1 when he came into Israel and oppressed the Israelites in 1290 to 1279 BC. The scripture reference from Judges 10 of the mention of the Egyptians with other Gentile people that oppressed the Israelites as indication that this could be a reference in God's Word - the Holy Bible to the oppression of the Israelites in their own land under Egyptian Pharaoh Seti 1 is as follows:

1290 to 1279 BC Scripture Reference from Judges 10 That God Delivered the Israelites from Many Neighbouring Gentile People Including the Egyptians Perhaps Including when Pharaoh Seti 1 Occupied Israel

Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. And the LORD said unto the chilren of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Judges 10:9-13

Death of Samuel the Last and Most Godly of the Judges from I Samuel 8 in About 1100 BC

Samuel was by far the most godly of the judges of Israel and made provision for his sons to be judges of Israel following his death. Probably in significant part because he spent much time away from home exercising his office of judge to establish and build up people in the Law of Moses and in devotion to the God of Israel Samuel didn't spend as much time as he should have with his children. This is probably what caused his sons to have rebellious or ungodly behaviour such as being covetous, taking bribes and being corrupt in their office of judges. This corruption of Samuel's sons who were taking up the office of judges after him as well as the awareness Israel probably had of the worldly glory of the kings of some of the surrounding countries were reasons for the increasing disfavour of the institution of the judges in Israel. These countries included Syria, Moab, Edom, Phoenicia, Ammon and probably especially Egypt and their royal offices persuaded the people of Israel that they wanted to replace their system of leadership with judges by a heriditary monarchy. Part of the intention of the rule of Israel under the judges was that the LORD would be their foremost king. In the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom the LORD (God) will take the best of the system of the kings and the judges to rule Israel and the entire world. The Messiah (Jesus) will then to be their King in the line of David with judges ruling under him and king David himself carrying out some of the worship of the LORD and the Messiah King in the Messianic Kingdom Temple described by Ezekiel at the end of his book. The scripture reference of the end of the period of judges ruling Israel after Samuel and the people of Israel asking for a king to rule them in 1 Samuel 8 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 8 of Ending of the Period of Judges with Death of Samuel and the People of Israel Asking to Be Ruled by a King in About 1100 BC

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of the firstborn was Joel; and the name of the second was, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre (money), and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 1 Samuel 8:1-6

The LORD Considered the Rejection by the People of Israel of the Rule of Israel by the Judges as a Rejection of His Rule Over the People of Israel in 1 Samuel 8 About 1100 BC

After the initial demand by the Jews or people of Israel for a king to replace the rule by the judges, the LORD took Samuel aside, who was the last and most faithful of the judges. The LORD shared with Samuel that the people had not rejected him, Samuel, but rejected the LORD who during the period of the judges reigned over Israel through the judges. The LORD shared further with Samuel that he was displeased with all the sins of Israel in forsaking him for other gods and generally acting by self-will instead of yielding their will to the LORD to keep his commandments they were also doing to Samuel. This was because the people of Israel asked for a king instead of yielding to God's instructions through Samuel to continue with judges and following God's commandments through him. Then the LORD told Samuel to condescend to the people of Israel's request for a king but to warn them that they would pay a heavy price for having a king that they would probably resent later on. The scripture reference in 1 Samuel 8 of the LORD's reaction to Israel's request for a king and His considering this a rejection of His rule over them is as follows:

Scripture Reference in 1 Samuel 8 of The LORD's Response to Israel's Request for a King and Considering it a Rejection of His Rule Through the Judges About 1100 BC

And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit (however) yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 1 Samuel 8:7-9

Characteristics Expected of a King That Would Reign Over Israel From 1 Samuel 8 About 1100 BC

After the LORD told Samuel that Israel had not rejected him but the LORD Himself who ruled through the judges when they rejected the institution of the judges and asked to replace them with a king, Samuel at the LORD's instruction told Israel some characteristics they could expect of a king. Samuel told the people of Israel that a king would probably take the sons of Israel and put them in his army to fight his battles. Samuel further said the king would use the sons of Israel to help harvest his fields and to make instruments of war and chariots or vehicles for war. Samuel added the kings of Israel would take the daughters of Israel to make sweets, to cook and to bake food at least in part for the king and his administrators. Samuel also said from the LORD that the kings of Israel would take the best of the olive fields and vineyards and other prime produce land and give them to his officials. Samuel also said it would be likely the kings of Israel would implement tithes or other taxes of the grain, the vineyards and other produce or products and give them to his officials and government servants. Samuel also said the king would likely tithe their livestock and that the people themselves would be the servants of the king. Finally Samuel warned the people from the LORD that they would cry out to the LORD for mercy from the rule of their king when the kingdom became established but that the LORD wouldn't hear them. The scripture reference from 1 Samuel 8 of the characteristics the LORD warns his chosen earthly people Israel to expect through his servant Samuel of a king is as follows:

Scripture Reference From 1 Samuel 8 of Characteristics the LORD Warns His Earthly People Israel To Expect From a King About 1100 BC

And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen: and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 1 Samuel 8:10-18

Saul Chosen to Be King Partly Because of His Imposing and Attractive Appearance from 1 Samuel 9 About 1095 BC

One of the requests from the people of Israel for a king was that they might have a king like all the other nations. Among other things this meant someone who would have an imposing appearance and probably personality which some of the other nations would look to for their leadership and inspiration instead of the one true God of the Bible in their kings. God granted in Saul the son of Kish a man with a goodly (attractive) appearance and an imposing build (from his shoulders upward he was higher than any of the people). However as Israel would later learn appearance isn't everything and a character flaw of Saul would lead to much misery for him and some misery and humiliation for the nation of Israel. The scripture passage identifying the first king of Israel in 1 Kings 9 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 9 of Identification of Saul as Someone With an Imposing Appearance to Be First King of Israel About 1095 BC

Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 1 Kings 9:1-2

Saul Annointed First King of Israel and Given the Holy Spirit from 1 Samuel 10 in 1095 BC

After meeting with Saul and talking with him for a while, Samuel annointed him the first king of Israel with a vial or bowl of oil that he poured over his head and confirmed that Saul was to lead the LORD's inheritance or the people of Israel. Samuel implied to Saul to comfort his father who he wouldn't be able to spend as much time with when he became king. Saul was then to go to Bethel on the way to which he would meet three men with some wine and bread from which he was to receive two loaves of bread. Saul was then to go to the hill of God near where Israel's enemies the Philistines were and where he would meet some prophets coming down from the high place with musical instruments and who would prophesy. This was the setting in which when Saul obeyed it he would receive the Holy Spirit and would become as another (more godly) man. Saul began well as king by obeying these instructions and as a result receiving the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately he soon showed his character flaw and his true nature with a self-willed heart that wasn't faithful to keep God's commandments to him and eventually led to God's rejection of him as king. The scripture reference of the annointing as the first king of Israel of Saul and the LORD giving him his Holy Spirit in 1 Samuel 10 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 10 of the Annointing of Saul as First King of Israel and the LORD Giving His Holy Spirit on Saul in 1095 BC

Then Samuel took a vial (bowl) of oil, and poured it upon Saul's head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath annointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is a garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 1 Samuel 10:1-6

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