Digital Logos Edition
“Saul’s sin was not that as king he was forbidden by God’s law to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings under any and all circumstances. Later David (2 Sa 24:25) and Solomon (1 Ki 3:15) made the same kinds of offerings, and there is no hint of divine rebuke in either case. Saul sinned because he disobeyed God’s word through the prophet Samuel (v. 13)—a sin that he would commit again (15:26).” (Page 136)
“The issue here is not a question of either/or but of both/and. So practically speaking, sacrifice must be offered to the Lord on his terms, not ours. Saul’s postponement of the commanded destruction, however well meaning, constituted flagrant violation of God’s will.” (Page 159)
“The narrator thus leaves the impression that every able-bodied man in Israel goes to war—everyone, that is, except the king himself: ‘But David remained in Jerusalem.’ The contrast between David and his men can hardly be expressed in starker terms. Staying home in such situations was not David’s usual practice, of course (cf. 5:2; 8:1–14; 10:17). Indeed, leading his troops into battle was expected to be the major external activity of an ancient Near Eastern ruler (see 1 Sa 8:5–6, 20 and comments). Although therefore reprehensible in itself, David’s conduct on this occasion opens the way for royal behavior that is more despicable still.” (Page 429)
“In Saul’s case acting foolishly meant to disobey the divine command mediated through a prophet (v. 13; cf. also 15:19, 23, 26; contrast Hezekiah’s obedience in 2 Ch 29:25).” (Page 136)
“Yet Kings is not primarily an account of the political and social history of this period; the work’s focus is on Israel’s spiritual response to God, who had taken Israel into covenantal relationship with himself (2 Ki 17:7–23) and who had bestowed great privileges to the nation through the promise made to David (1 Ki 2:2–4). Accordingly, within the pages of Kings is found a detailed summary of the spiritual experiences of a people—particularly its kings, prophets, and priests, whose activities largely point to the need for the advent of the One who would combine the intended ideal of these three offices in himself.” (Page 618)
7 ratings
Avril Russell
3/2/2021
Dave Hooton
11/19/2020
Kntsoi
10/31/2020
Randy Dirrim
10/1/2020
Peter Ryan
9/30/2020
Christian Mölk
9/27/2020
Paul M. Tucker
9/25/2020