Day 80. 1 Samuel 11-13

As our reading begins, the men of Israel are faced with the humiliating demand of a certain Nahash the Ammonite that they surrender and allow their right eyes to be gouged out (1 Samuel 11:2). ("Nahash" means "snake," and he does seem to exhibit some very reptilian behavior. The gouging out of eyes is a form of ritual castration, symbolizing the utter humiliation of an enemy.)
Saul is "coming in from the field behind the oxen" (11:5) when he hears this insulting demand, and he immediately shows the leadership ability for which God has selected him to be Israel's king. The "spirit of God [comes] upon [him] with power" and "his anger [is] greatly kindled" (11:6). He slaughters his oxen—apparently, though anointed king, he was still in the farming business—dismembers them and sends the pieces "throughout the territory of Israel" with a challenge—"Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!" (11:7).
So the men of Israel muster and cut down the Ammonites and scatter them "so that no two of them were left together" (11:11). After his glorious victory, Saul, showing mature wisdom, will not let those who had not supported his kingship be punished. All are to rejoice together as a unified people. Strengthened by his victory he is reaffirmed by the people as their king.
Now, following the example set by Moses, Samuel, now "old and gray," delivers a farewell address which occupies all of chapter 12. He recounts the LORD's great acts of power on behalf of his Israel. Then he calls to the people to renew their covenant with God, taking in consideration their changed circumstances. Now both people and king must follow the LORD and obey his commandments, otherwise "the hand of the LORD will be against [them] and [their] king" (12:15).
Samuel reaffirms his earlier judgment, that their act of demanding a king was an act of "wickedness" (12:17). Nevertheless, even though his chosen people may prove rebellious and ungrateful, God remains faithful (12:22). They are still his particular possession among the nations. Only from now on they and their monarch must "fear the LORD and serve him faithfully," remembering "what great things he has done" (12:24). If they do wickedly, they will be swept away, both they and their king (12:25).
An undisclosed period of time passes between the end of chapter 12 and the beginning of chapter 13. Some of the story of Saul's reign may have been lost. When it is picked up, King Saul, who had been a young man at the time of his anointing by Samuel has himself a grown son, Jonathan. Together they face a massed Philistine army at Gilgal.
The Israelites are frightened by the enemy numbers and begin to scatter (13:6). Saul waits for Samuel to offer the sacrifices necessary to insure to the LORD's blessing upon the coming battle, but Samuel is delayed. And Saul, seeing his troops deserting, loses his nerve and makes a terrible mistake. He offers the sacrifice himself, uniting in his own person the offices of priest and king (13:9). This was not an uncommon arrangement in the ancient world, but it was never accepted in Israel.
As soon as Saul has finished his unlawful sacrifice, Samuel appears and declares the LORD's verdict on Israel's first king. The LORD would have "established [Saul's] kingdom over Israel forever, but now [his] kingdom will not continue" (13:13-14). Because of his disobedience his dynasty will end with his own death, and as his successor "the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart" (13:14).
Saul's reign is far from over. Saul and Jonathan will go on to further victories against the Philistines. But the military superiority of these "sea people" will continue to be assured by their mastery of the art and science of fashioning iron tools and weapons (13:19). There is "no smith to be found throughout all the land of Israel." The Israelites have to go down to the Philistines "to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, or sickles" (13:20)—and at exorbitant cost (verse 21). And the shortage of iron weapons will continue to put Israel at a distinct technological disadvantage in its continuing struggle with the Philistines.