1 Samuel 12-13 & Mark 12

With Saul now king, Samuel's role diminishes and he offers his farewell remarks. In 1 Samuel 12 he once again recounts the work of God to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. He also recites the deeds God has done to liberate Israel during the time of the Judges. He also speaks of his own role of judge and prophet and calls upon Israel to witness to his fair and just decisions. But in spite of this work, Israel clamored for a king and God gave them a king.

However, Samuel warns Israel, in words very similar to Moses and Jacob, if they and their king worship the Lord and follow the commands of God, they will be blessed, but if they turn away, then God's anger will be kindled against them. Samuel will continue in his role of praying for Israel and to provide instruction to them.

Having defeated the Ammonites, Saul turns his attention to the Philistines in 1 Samuel 13. He defeats a small garrison that had been housed in the territory of Israel which draws out the main host of Philistines. Saul gathers the army of Israel and awaits Samuel, who had promised to return in seven days. However, Samuel does not show and the people began to get concerns, some leaving the army for fear of the Philistines.

Saul realizes he must do something and offers the offering himself, which is completed as Samuel arrives. Samuel points out the error Saul's way and announces that God will raised up another to lead Israel. The quick sacking of Saul as king is rather strange. From the neutral observer, it would seem the infraction was minor and it was just a pretext to remove Saul in favor of David. However, the actions of Saul will slowly deteriorate over his reign, so it would seem appropriate that God has chosen another.

In the meantime, Saul and his son Jonathan win many battles against the Philistines, even though their armies are poorly outfitted with weapons.

Mark 12

In the narrative that Mark provides, Jesus has entered into Jerusalem and now the journey has begun to the Cross. Tensions are rising as Jesus and the religious leaders seek to gain the upper hand in their contest of authority.

Following on the previous chapter where Jesus' own authority is questioned, he tells the parable of the wicked tenants who represent Israel. The servants sent to collect the share of the produce would reflect the prophets that God sent to Israel and finally the son would Jesus. The religious leaders realize that Jesus is mocking them and would arrest him if the crowd had not been around.

More challenges follow, with the question on taxes and the resurrection. In both, Jesus turns the arguments on their heads but demonstrating a new teaching of God's Will. Yet not all religious leaders are cynical towards Jesus as the one scribe demonstrates, for he is "not far from the Kingdom." However, Jesus does warn that the people need to be wary of other scribes and the religious leadership.