1. - The appearance of the monarchy takes a century of Israel´s history (about 1030-931 b.C.). The first kings are Saul, David and Salomon. This epoch is evocated by Paul: they asked for a king and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin… God removed him and raised David like king, to whom he bore witness saying: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart (Acts 13, 21-22). But it was not always like that. We must be alert, since some lessons of this stage of history are applicable to the present moment.
2. - The monarchy constitutes a novelty inserted in a people where the tribes have their own autonomy. It connects autonomy and communion. They help and defend one another in the dangerous occasions. The problem arises in the measure that kings (and priests) follow the Canaanite model, forgetting the ancient traditions: the exit from Egypt, the Sinai´s Covenant, the pass of the Jordan, the promise of a land.
3. - Saul was born in Gibeah, central Palestine. One day he acknowledges that the ammonites (uncomfortable neighbours) have laid siege to the city of Yabesh, of the tribe of Galaad, at the east of the Jordan. The people of Galaad are strongly entailed to the tribe of Benjamin. The messengers raise a voice of alert. Saul assembles a group of men and he beats the invaders (1Sam 11,1-11). But the Philistines, which give the name to the whole the region (Palestine comes from Philistia), dominate the zone and apply oppression measures. The Israelites must deliver their weapons and they may not work the metals: The Israelites had no smith anywhere in their land, for the Philistines did not want the Hebrews to make swords or spears. To have their plowshare, mattock, axe or sickle sharpened, the Israelites had to go down to the Philistines. (1Sam 13,19-21). Besides, the price was abusive.
4. - In this situation, the Israelites want to have a king, like the rest of the people: Our king will shall govern us, lead us and go ahead of us in our battles. (1Sam 8, 20). Prophet Samuel perceives the inconveniences of the monarchy (8,10-18), He does not want a king in the Canaanite style, but he accepts one who obeys the Lord. Id est, kings but not of any condition. Well, Saul is looking for his father´s donkeys and he goes to ask to the man of God. Precisely, the day before Samuel had received this word from the Lord: Tomorrow, about this time, I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin and you shall anoint him to rule over my people Israel (9,16). Saul is proclaimed at Gilgal, king of Israel. (11,15).
5. - The new king pretends to free central Palestine from the Philistine subjugation. His victory at Michmash (1Sam 14,31) opens him the way to the south, so far strictly closed. He advances towards the Negev and he defeats the Amalekites (15,4-35). Nevertheless, businesses are not running all right. Before a compromised situation, he believes himself entitled to supplant Samuel (13,1-15). The Lord himself repents to have elected him like king; he does not accomplish his mandates (15-11). His successes fill him of pride and he advances to the north. The Philistines defeat him in Mount Gilboa´s battle, about 1010 b C., dying he and his three sons (31, 1-13).
6. - David, born in Bethlehem of Judah, is anointed by Samuel (1 Sam 16,1-13). He was a young shepherd and he was taking provisions to his brothers, when he meets the Philistine Goliath fully armed: sword, spear, javelin, helmet and coat of mail. David defeats him only with his sling (1Sam 17, 12-57). He joins Saul’s army like chief of the mercenaries (18,5), but Saul looks at him like a menace and he thinks about killing him. David then goes to the Philistines and they give him the city of Ziklag (27,6). In certain occasion, he forgives the life to Saul (26,9). David is elected king of Judah (2 Sam 2,4) and, a little later, king of Israel (5,3). The capital of the new kingdom is Jerusalem. The Canaanite supreme god El Eloign, Highest God, creator of heavens and earth, who so far reigned over Mount Zion, is set aside without any apparent conflict. The arc’s solemn entrance into David´s city (6,12) symbolizes the acquisition of the place that the Lord had elected like his quarters. Confirmed by David in his functions, the Canaanite high priest, Zadok, shifts to the Lord´s service (8,17). After crossing the Jordan, in his way to Jerusalem, David says goodbye and blesses Barzillai (19,32-49). Free from his enemies, the king may sing: I called upon my Lord and from his temple he heard my voice (22,7; Ps 18).
7. - In Jerusalem, two traditions are born: the election of a person (David) and of a place (Mount Zion). Nathan’s prophecy and the royal psalms proclaim the covenant of the Lord with David: I will keep my covenant, I have sworn by my holiness arid will not lie to David: his dynasty will last forever, and his throne endure as the sun… The enemy will not surprise him (Ps 89; 2 Sam 7; Ps 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 132, 144). At the same time, Zion´s psalm celebrate the place that the Lord has elected like his quarters. The Lord has elected Zion; He wanted it like his residence for him. (Ps 132; see 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122). Jesus will be the descent of David: God will give the throne of David, his father (Lk 1,32).
 Jag with serpent |
8. - David´s passion for Bathsheba takes him to commit adultery and
assassination. Prophet Nathan blames him of having despised Yahweh doing what is bad under
His eyes, killing Uriah the hittite by the sword, and taking his woman as wife.
David acknowledges his sin (2 Sam 12,6.13). His son Absalom rebels against him and dies tragically. David was greatly disturbed when he received the news (18,9-19,1). David was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for forty years (5,4). He dies about year 980.
9. - Salomon, son of David and Bathsheba, is anointed king by priest Zadok.(1Re 1, 39). His wisdom is proverbial (1 Re 5,9). He requested it to the Lordwhen he began to reign (Wis 9). Salomon’s Judgement is known all over the world (3, 16-28). A consummate diplomatic, he regulates the political conflicts by means of the subtle play of alliances. He builds the temple of the Lord and the royal palace in Jerusalem. (15-24), but he also builds sanctuaries to other gods. Foreign women who Salomon brings to Jerusalem request this. The growing paganism menaces people´s faith. A Jerusalem theologian, called the yahwistic, undertakes conscience of the danger and denounces the Canaanite temptation, the pretension of being like gods (Gen 3,5). Besides, he composes the first salvation history synthesis.
10. - Salomon´s fundamental mistake is the idolatry. Canaanite cults bring fatal consequences: But you gave your body to women… you defiled your descendants, bringing wrath and disaster upon your children because of your foolishness, so your nation was divided (Sir 47,19-21) Salomon dies the year 931. A little later, Israel separates from Judah. It is the political and religious schism.
 Salomon Temple |
11. - Jerusalem temple constitutes Judah’s pride. Nevertheless, Israel prefers his old sanctuaries. David is the main figure. In Israel he is Moses. In prophetic ambient the building of Jerusalem temple and its cultural life, counter-drawn of the Canaanite temples and cults, are received with much prevention. The Lord says: Did you, Israel, bring me offerings and sacrifices for forty years, in the wilderness? (Am 5,25). And also: When I brought your ancestors out of Egypt I did not command them concerning sacrifices and burnt offerings (Jer 7,22). Denouncing the temple is crucial in Jesus mission (Jn 2,17). His new priesthood has like motto: Sacrifice and oblation you do not desire. Here I come to do your will (Ps 40).
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Sacrifice Shrine
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12. - March 2003. Second Lent sunday. War against Iraq is imminent. The first reading (Gen 22, 1-18) is like a big poster. It can be read: If you have something to do with Abraham, do not sacrifice half a million people (ONU´s Emergency Committee). Third Lent sunday. War against Iraq has commenced. In every church the first reading is the text of the Decalogue, which marks the limits out of which there is no communion neither with God nor with men: Do not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, do not kill, do not steal, do not covet your neighbour’s property (Ex 20, 1-17). The Lord is not an absent God, a Highest God, who does not take into account the human business. He judges history and recalls his mandates. Those governing the peoples should put their attention, much attention.
* Dialogue: over the novelty of the kings. Present applications. THE NOVELTY OF THE KINGS
the novelty of the kings. Present applications.