After a quick aside to remind us that the Ark is in the hands of the Levites in Kiriath-jearim, 1 Samuel 7 tells us how Israel has begun to yearn for God. It has been twenty years after the Ark has been lost, the people are oppressed by the Philistines and now they yearn for better days. This would seem to represent a similar cycle that occured in Judges, the people are oppressed, cry out to God and God delivers to them a judge who will lead them. Let us see if it is different this time.
With the death of Eli, Samuel has become more than just a priest but a prophet and now he will become the judge. He gathers the people and informs them that if they truly are returning to God they must first turn away from the other gods they have been worshiping. Israel agrees and at Mizpah, the nation confessions its sins and renews themselves before God.
Hearing that Israel has gathered, the Philistines assume the worst, that Israel is preparing for war. The lords of the Philistines come up to Mizpah, inciting the Israelites to plead to Samuel to have God intervene. Samuel offers up a lamb and God thunders down upon the Philistines, throwing them into disarray. The Israelites take advantage of the confusion and rout the Philistines.
Samuel leads Israel into a new era of peace. He judges the nation and provides justice to all of Israel. Perhaps the cycle has been broken.
Then again, maybe not as 1 Samuel 8 tells us. As Samuel grows older, he sets his sons to take his place in the role of judge. However, much like Eli's sons, Samuel's sons Joel and Abijah fall to temptations of power. The elders are distressed and go to Samuel to ask that a king be appointed over Israel to govern and protect them. Samuel does not think well of this proposal but takes the request to God.
God, used to Israel's fickleness by now. tells Samuel that he has not been rejected but that God has. God instructs Samuel to tell Israel about what will happen if they are given a king. Samuel takes the message back to the people, who even hearing how they will be subjugated by a king, still desire a king and God acquiesces. Israel shall have a king. Now the question is who?
In a rather wonderful story, we hear of how God moves through the world to bring about the Will of God. As Saul is searching for his families' lost donkeys, (ironic that the hard headed donkey would be the key to God's selection of a king for Israel) Samuel has come to a town to offer a sacrifice. God has told Samuel to expect a visitor from Benjamin. Meanwhile, Saul has prepared to give up hope and return home when the servant he is with tells him about a seer in the village ahead. Saul has nothing to provide the seer, but the servant has money. How often do servants have money? This whole story has God's fingerprints all over it.
After joining Samuel for a feast, Saul spends the night. As he is preparing to depart in the morning, Samuel stops him. Something amazing is going to happen.
Mark 11
Perhaps the encounter with Bartimaeus was a tipping point, for out next chapter shares the story of the entrance into Jerusalem. The route from Mt. Olive to Jerusalem was believed to be how the Messiah would come into Jerusalem, perhaps the people recognized this. The tradition of waving palms and spreading cloaks on the road was a tradition to welcome kings which can be attested from passages in the Book of Maccabees.
The voices of the crowd itself seem to speak of something major happening. "Hosanna" is a way of saying "save us" and they proclaim Jesus to be a messenger from God. Jesus takes it all in, heads to the temple and then heads to a place to rest for the night.
The next sections deal with Jesus' condemnation of the practices that Israel is presently following. The fig tree has traditionally been used as a metaphor for Israel. The fig trees lack of fruit symbolizes Israel lack of righteousness. The temple itself has become more of business center than worship location. Jesus would seem to be upset that people are making money on the rites that Israel was to follow. We are told that it is this condemnation of the practices at the temple that spurs the religious leaders to kill Jesus.
As the leaders question Jesus, Jesus turns the tables on shows that the religious leaders were more politicians than teachers and servants of God. Therefore, Jesus does not recognize their authority.
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