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Thread: Game of Thrones

Post Topic: The Last Untainted Judge – the end of an era

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Scripture: I Samuel 8:1-5

Key Verses:
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

I Samuel 8:1-2

Observations

Context – the Judges

Before Israel appointed it’s first king, it was governed by judges, who served in different regions at different times (see the map display of the judges and where they served). The tribes were not unified as they would be one done day under King David and King Solomon. Periodically, God would raise up a judge to help the people repent of their sins and to free the people from their oppressors.

Context – Samuel

Samuel came to prominence when the Benjamites were oppressed by the Philistines. He led a great revival, and a time of peace ensued when the Philistines were defeated. I Samuel 7:12-14 describes how the Philistines were defeated by Samuel. There was peace under his leadership.

Samuel judged Israel in different places in different years, rotating between three cities before returning to his home of Ramah.

Corruption Leads to Revolution

  • As we all do, Samuel got old. To help him judge the region, he appointed his two sons.
    • They did not follow their father’s righteous example.
    • They took bribes and perverted justice.
  • The people used this corruption against Samuel, using it as an excuse to demand a king.
  • While not a violent revolt, it would have turned ugly if he hadn’t agreed.
Map courtesy of BibleMapper.com

Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:

Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.

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End of an Era