Arguments for and against Establishing a Monarchy

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Arguments for and against Establishing a Monarchy

• Victor H. MatthewsREL 542
• March 7, 2006

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Arguments for a Monarchy

• Every other nation has a king (1 Sam 85)
• A king provides leadership for national defense
  (1 Sam 820 111-11 recounts Sauls victory at
  Jabesh-gilead shows his ability to command an
  army)

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Pro-Monarchy Arguments

• A king functions as a diplomat focusing on
  foreign policy
• A king is able to institute a national economic
  policy
• A king can support the development of the
  national religion by establishing a central
  shrine

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Arguments against a Monarchy

• Selection of a human king signifies the rejection
  of Yahweh as king (1 Sam 87 1212)
• The advantages cited in the arguments for a
  monarchy are secured at the expense of personal
  freedoms. A king will require taxes, institute a
  military and civil draft, place restraints on
  travel and trade, and deprive the people of local
  religious shrines (1 Sam 811-13)

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Anti-Monarchy Arguments

• A king will abuse his power by means of nepotism
  and other corrupt practices (1 Sam 814-18)
• Heredity monarchies can lead to weak successors
  (see Rehoboam)

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Anti-Saul elements

• Tribes come together to choose a king by lot, but
  when the lot falls to Saul he is hidden among
  the baggage (1017-22)
• Although he is acknowledged as king, some doubted
  his ability to lead and refused to give him the
  gift due to a king (1027a)

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1 Sam 911016 and 1023-26 27b1115 --
Pro-Saul elements

• The young, handsome, and tall Saul is anointed by
  Samuel (91-108)
• On his return home he meets a group of prophets
  and falls into a prophetic trance himself
  (109-13)

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Pro-Saul Narrative

• When news of the Ammonite threat to Jabesh-gilead
  reaches him, Saul marshalls an army and relieves
  the siege of the city (111-11)
• Following his triumph Saul goes to Gilgal where
  Samuel and all the people proclaimed him their
  king (1112-15)

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