Judges: Epilogue

The period of the judges does not conclude with the conclusion of the book of Judges. As we move into the book of 1 Samuel, we find Eli the priest (1:9; 4:18) and Samuel the prophet (3:20; 7:15) referred to as judges. Furthermore, in his old age, Samuel appoints his own sons as judges (8:1). However, these sons are ungodly men who do not follow Samuel’s ways. Their dishonesty and perversions of justice (and perhaps a threat from the Ammonites, 12:12) prompts the elders of Israel to ask Samuel to name a king “ ‘to judge us like all the nations’ ” (8:5b). Samuel is cool to the idea, but God assures him that they are rejecting not their judge but their God (8:7). He made it clear in His Law that Israel someday would have a human king (Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:7, 17–19; Deut. 17:14–20), but the people’s request for a monarch grows out of an unwillingness to be subject to the God of Israel.

When the day comes for Saul’s coronation as Israel’s first king, Samuel solemnly reminds the people of all that God has done for them (12:6–11). But he also shows them that the appointment of a human king does not change their obligation to their divine Sovereign, for Saul is merely God’s earthly vice-regent (12:13–25). Indeed, Samuel says, while the people “ ‘desired’ ” a king and have “chosen” Saul, it is not they, not Samuel, but God who has set this man over the Israelites (v. 13). They remain Yahweh’s subjects.

For the most part, Saul and his successors are unable to restrain the evils of the people. David has some success, and a number of his descendants serve faithfully as rulers of Judah. But in many cases, the kings themselves fall victim to the same malady as the people in Judges: They do what is right in their own eyes. They have me power, but not necessarily the understanding or the will, to check ungodliness. Yes, the people need a king, but He must be a divine Ruler, one who can know and do the will of God perfectly.

While we are to obey earthly rulers, Scripture is clear that all human power structures are instituted by God and derive their authority from Him. Jesus our King reigns over them all. His will is our law, overriding all human rulers and institutions. Let us, therefore, serve our King joyously as He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.