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Arguments for and against Establishing a Monarchy

Arguments for and against Establishing a Monarchy. Victor H. Matthews REL 542 March 7, 2006. Arguments for a Monarchy. Every other nation has a king (1 Sam 8:5)

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Arguments for and against Establishing a Monarchy

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  1. Arguments for and against Establishing a Monarchy Victor H. MatthewsREL 542 March 7, 2006

  2. Arguments for a Monarchy • Every other nation has a king (1 Sam 8:5) • A king provides leadership for national defense (1 Sam 8:20; 11:1-11 recounts Saul’s victory at Jabesh-gilead shows his ability to command an army)

  3. Pro-Monarchy Arguments • A king functions as a diplomat focusing on foreign policy • A king is able to institute a national economic policy • A king can support the development of the national religion by establishing a central shrine

  4. Arguments against a Monarchy • Selection of a human king signifies the rejection of Yahweh as king (1 Sam 8:7; 12:12) • The advantages cited in the arguments for a monarchy are secured at the expense of personal freedoms. A king will require taxes, institute a military and civil draft, place restraints on travel and trade, and deprive the people of local religious shrines (1 Sam 8:11-13)

  5. Anti-Monarchy Arguments • A king will abuse his power by means of nepotism and other corrupt practices (1 Sam 8:14-18) • Heredity monarchies can lead to weak successors (see Rehoboam)

  6. Anti-Saul elements • Tribes come together to choose a king by lot, but when the lot falls to Saul he is “hidden among the baggage” (10:17-22) • Although he is acknowledged as king, some doubted his ability to lead and refused to give him the gift due to a king (10:27a)

  7. 1 Sam 9:1–10:16 and 10:23-26; 27b–11:15 --Pro-Saul elements • The young, handsome, and tall Saul is anointed by Samuel (9:1-10:8) • On his return home he meets a group of prophets and falls into a prophetic trance himself (10:9-13)

  8. Pro-Saul Narrative • When news of the Ammonite threat to Jabesh-gilead reaches him, Saul marshalls an army and relieves the siege of the city (11:1-11) • Following his triumph Saul goes to Gilgal where Samuel and “all the people” proclaimed him their king (11:12-15)

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