Conociendo las Escrituras 9 / 3: Saúl y Samuel

We present another episode of the program "Knowing the Scriptures" with Beatriz Ozores. In this program, Israel reaches a state of anarchy. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes," Judges 21:25 tells us. Even the Levitical priests of the true God had become mercenaries, enriching themselves with the sacrifices of the poor of the people of Israel. The Israelites knew that something radical was needed to change the situation. But instead of humbly turning to God, they decided they wanted a king. They thought that if they had a king who would unite them, all their problems would be solved. Samuel, the last of the judges, had been Israel's leader for a long time. He had achieved great victories over the Philistines, but in his old age, he made the grave mistake of naming his sons as his successors. It was a mistake because his sons were not like him: they were greedy, "taking bribes and perverting justice." The elders of Israel came to Samuel at his house and said, “You are growing old, and your sons are not acting like you. Appoint us a king who will rule over us like the other nations.” To Samuel, this was a personal offense. Had he not been a good leader? He called upon God, and God answered his prayer. The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all their proposals to you. It is not you they reject, but me; they do not want me to be their king. They have acted this way ever since they came out of Egypt until this day: they have forsaken me and served foreign gods, and this is how they do to you now. Nevertheless, listen to their voice, but warn them well and explain to them the rights of the king who will reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7-9) The people were not rejecting Samuel: they were rejecting the idea of ​​being a nation distinct from the others. They wanted to be a nation like the others. This was precisely what Moses had prophesied, and the Book of Law, Deuteronomy, had already foreseen. Samuel conveyed these words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king, saying, "These are the rights of the king who reigns over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and horses, and make them run before his chariots. He will use them in his army as leaders of centuries and officers. He will have them sow and reap his fields, and make weapons and chariots. He will take your daughters as perfumers, bakers, and cooks. He will take your fields, your vineyards, and your best olive groves to give to his servants. He will exact a tithe from your crops and your grape harvest to give to his courtiers and servants. He will take your male and female servants, and your best oxen and donkeys, to use in his work." He will even demand tithes from your flocks, and you yourselves will be his servants. On that day you will cry out against the kings you yourselves have chosen, but then the Lord will not listen. Samuel told them exactly what they could expect from a king: taxes, military service, and oppression. But the people insisted. Samuel obeyed their wishes and God's word. He agreed to find them a king, despite his personal dislike of the idea. In the end, all his predictions would come true. Don't miss the full program! Help us continue evangelizing: https://donar.matermundi.tv/ Follow us on: Facebook:   / matermunditv   Twitter:   / tvmater   Web: http://matermundi.tv/