WITH THE THRONE (GOVERNMENT)

The prophets functioned as guides and instructors of the government and they every time called the kings to live within the will and purpose of God. They very much assisted the kings in given them the necessary advice and direction on where they must lead the people in the fear of God. They called the kings to question in time of oppression and famine because the failure of the country to experience the blessings of God is sometimes the effect of the sins of the kings. The prophets become light for the kings to know when and how to lead the country to fight.

WITH THE TEMPLE (RELIGION)

They are responsible for the true reverence and worship of God. The temple in ancient Israel represents the presence and glory of God and they must call the people to worship God in truthfulness and faithfulness. In the time Samuel, he oversaw the people in their worship of Yahweh and he called on the people to serve the Lord by respecting and revering the temple. The worship of ONE GOD was the religion of the Israelites and it is the responsibility of the prophets to uphold that. Israel is known by their God – Yahweh and in Deut. 6:4 “the great Shema” is the crux and hallmark of the religious feature and structure of the Jews.

WITH THE PEOPLE (SOCIETY)

The prophets related with the people in the area of their heart and spiritual life living. He called the people to serve Yahweh and he often reveal the will of God to the people so that they will not incur the wrath of God upon their lives. The people looked up to the prophets to serve as a mediator between tem and God and they will always approach and seek after the prophets to tell them about the mind of God. They (prophets) deal with the people closely to know their lifestyle and their ways in order to direct and caution them when they go amiss and against the law. They also voice out the law of God in the hearing of the people.

REFERENCE:

The Bible

King Jehu (2 Kings 9 – 10), the tenth king of the separate kingdom of Israel, was raised to power by God’s action, for the specific purpose of exterminating evil King Ahab‘s heirs, as Elijah had prophesied following the scandal of Naboth’s vineyard. In this he took strong and decisive action, even going beyond God’s requirement by also eliminating Ahab’s chief legacy, the cult of Baal worship. For this obedience, Jehu was rewarded with the longest dynasty in Israel’s history — 5 generations long.

During Jehu’s 28 years as king, the legacy of 9 consecutive evil kings began to yield its fruit. National security suffered as Syria began significant encroachment of Israel’s

Jehu had eliminated Ahab‘s heirs; now he was determined to eliminate his evil legacy — the cult of Baal worship. He secured the aid of his friend Jehonadab, and the two of them constructed an elaborate and devious scheme.

Jehu announced that he intended to sponsor a bigger and better Baal worship than Ahab ever had, and his innovations were to be inaugurated at a huge festival. Priests of Baal who failed to attend were threatened with capital punishment, and when a roll call was taken, not one was absent. These priests were marked with special robes made for the occasion. Jehu then ordered the priests to assure that no one who worshipped the LORD was present — only priests of Baal. This done, Jehu escorted the priests inside the shrine.

While Jehu officiated over the sacrifice, his 80 co-conspirators surrounded the building. At his signal, they entered and began the slaughter; not one priest escaped. They then demolished the shrine and desecrated altars and implements, converting the site into a garbage dump.

The LORD rewarded Jehu’s obedience with the promise that four more generations of his descendents would be his heirs as king of Israel. This was the longest line of kings in Israel’s history. By contrast, every king of Judah was from the line of King David. Jehu enjoys the distinction of being the only king of Israel to receive a generally positive evaluation in God’s judgment. After Israel and Judah separated, every king of Israel except Jehu was committed to evil. By contrast, Judah had six kings who were wholeheartedly committed to the LORD, and two others who, like Jehu, did right some of the time and evil at other times.

WHAT HE COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENT:

Even though he destroyed Baal worship, Jehu never took action against the golden calf cult established by King Jeroboam. Even so, Jehu enjoys the distinction of being the only king of the separate kingdom of Israel applauded by God for his obedience. He would have enjoyed a commendation and applause from Jehovah if he would have destroyed the golden calves established by Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

REFERENCE:

The NIV study Bible

According to Dr. Isbell, the biblical text is disclosing a record of the life and work of the prophets and how God dealt with them and their compatriots. The biblical writers never intend to write history as many bible scholars believe it to be but they knew they had not included many facts that historians and biblical theologians mighty ask about. The biblical text on the other hand elaborates on its hearers to research on other literature if what they seek for is not presented in the particular passage.

The biblical text itself serves as a guide essential to the literary style and structure of the biblical story of for example the exodus, which is the basic narrative in the bible. The text doesn’t discloses the identity of the Pharaoh’s in Egypt and the midwives whom Moses was placed under their custody.

The relationship of the Bible with history is such that the Bible doesn’t reveal the fullness of history. The Prophets in the bible never addressed the question of the existence of God and the Biblical writers themselves presume true the idea that ultimate questions of hope and absolute well being depend on what we perceive as accidental circumstances in history.

                                            Gehazi 

 Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.   2Kings 5:27 (NIV)

This scripture is about Gehazi, who was a servant of the prophet Elisha for many years.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw Gehazi was running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said,  Is all well? And he said, All  is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took  two talents of silver in two bags from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha asked to him, Where have you been, Gehazi? Gehazi answered “your servant didn’t go anywhere”.  And Elisha said to him, Was not my spirit with you, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet you? It is a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? Namaan’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and he was laprous, as white as snow.

Therefore be careful who are in His ministries, but focus on family business. Gehazi was a servant of prophet Elisha but he did for his business but the result is not only him all of his descendants got a leprosy. So Sayang na lang!

Do it!

So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

                                                                            2Kings 5:14 (NIV)

This scripture is about Naaman, who was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great manin the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. There was a young lady who served Naaman wife, had taken captive from Israel by Aram bands. She said to her mistress, if only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.- Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha was didn’t came out he sent a messenger to say to him. “Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But, Namaan was went away and angry he though that prophet would surely come out and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure of his leprosy. And he argue to are not Abana and Pharpar , the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the water of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed? So he returned and went off in a rage. Namaan was just looking the external surface of the river. But he should know what the message from the prophet. But after that he did, he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. This is a good example for our Christian life, now we are in His great mission, we must forget who we are and what we are, because we are same in the presence of God!.

How would we PRAY?

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 1King 3:10

Everybody have a prayer request in every time. But the most important one is how to pray to God?. Above all, prayer is not just asking what we needs. But it is indispensable in Spiritual Survival that prayer is life. It is Christian lifestyle. If there is no life, it’s called death. It is important to pray daily as much as we breathe for our life. And also prayer is our direct line with heaven to our father. It is a communication process that allows us to talk to God! He wants us to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone call. It is two ways communication for something which is so important for life. Prayer is life. Since prayer is a two-way communication between me and God, we will always receive an answer to our prayers! It might be YES, NO, or NOT YET. This may surprise us, but unanswered prayer does not exist. Sometimes, we feel like God has not answered, but the reality is that sometimes we don’t like the answer we’ve received. In this chapter the lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “ask for whatever you want me to give you”, Solomon answered to God, ” I’m only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”. If you has a great chance like Solomon, how should you pray? As for me I think I will pray other site of Solomon.

http://flickr.com/photos/a-z/66573081/

DAVID’S PRAYER

David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. 2Samuel 12:19 (NIV)

This scripture was the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David and he became ill. Because David struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be his own. David pleaded with the God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spend the nights lying on the ground.

But when he heard when the child was dead, he got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotion and change his clothes and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they serve him food, and he ate. This was confused to all of his servants. They didn’t understand about what the king happening and they asked to king David. David replied to his servants “while the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, I thought who’s knows? the Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me”. This is very good and spiritually answer. Before the child was dead he did had a chance for his child, but after dead he understood he didn’t had a chance for the child. This is a good lesson for the Christian life.

David is not the first king of Israel, the first king of Israel was Saul. According to the 1Samuel, but the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king of our us”. 1Samuel 8:19. The Lord answered “listen to them and give them a king” (8:22). Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance (10:1). You will reign over the Lord’s people and save them from the power of their enemies round about. And this will be a sign to you that the Lord has anointed you leader over his inheritance. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” So all the people went to Gilgal and confirm Saul as king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration (11:15). Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty two years.

But in Samuel 15 Saul was disobeyed the word of God. God says to Saul by Samuel, Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys (15:3). But Saul didn’t killed the Amalekites king Agga and his soldiers took sheep and cattle. Therefore Samuel said to Saul, because you have rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord rejected you as king.

After Saul the Lord was chosen David for a king. Then the Lord said, “rise and anoint him; he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from the day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. David becomes a king over Israel in 2Samuel 5. When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

But

OBEDIENCES

Samuel replied:
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

1Sam 15:22 (NIV)

Sometimes we want to give a good things for God, but somethings is a good in men side but in God side it is not good. Sometimes we though we did our best for the Lord, but it is not really good in God side. For example when we look at the 1Samuel 15, about the King Saul, God commended Saul to destroy the all of Amalekites people and everything that belongs to them. But King Saul and the army spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs; everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

They want to be sacrifice with a good things. They though they did their best for the Lord. But it is totally different in God side. Why? This is the very important in our Christian life. We must need to know first the willing of God and listening the word of God. whatever we do, wherever we go we should need to check of our situation and it’s the really the willing of God or not. Therefore before we do somethings we should need to ask God first and listen what the God said to me. Sometimes we decided by ourself but we must be known it is the willing of God or not. King Saul is the good lesson for the Christian life, especially for my daily life. To obey is better than sacrifice.

There are seeming both favorable and unfavorable reflections on kingship intertwined (e.g. 1Samuel 8 anti-monarchy and 1Samuel 9-10 is pro-monarchy).

According to the 1 Samuel 8, it is the time of pro-monarchy. When Samuel was grew old he appoinet his two sons as judges for Israel. But his two sons were did not walk in his ways and they turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice in Beersheba. So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your way; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the nation have.” Therefore at that time Israel had no king, because Yahweh’s kingship and Yahweh is the real king, Samuel was the judge over Israel all the day of his life.

In 1Samuel we can see the about Saul, who was the first of Israel chosen by God. Because of the two sons of Samuel, Israel people want a new leader or king. God said to Samuel “about this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.” 9:16. Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying “Has not the Lord anoint you leader over his inheritance.” Saul left after Samuel God changed his heart and all these signs were fulfilled that day. From that time Saul was the very first king of Israelites as the Lord has appointed him through by anointed of Samuel.

Therefore, the book of Samuel is anti-monarchy and pro-monarchy periods.

References; The Holy Bible (NIV)