(a) Relate how Israel asked for a King to rule them. [7 marks] (b) Identify

Explanation

(a) Demand For The Monarchy_ (1 Samuel 8:1-5):

(i) Samuel became the next judge of Israel after Eli's death.

(ii) When he became old, he made his sons (Joel and Abijah) judges in Israel.

(iii) These children judged Israel from Beersheba to Dan.

(iv) Unfortunately, they did not walk in the ways of the Lord as their father did.

(v) They took bribes and perverted justice.

(vi)This made Israel lose confidence in them and, therefore, asked for a king

(vii) They said to him 'Behold you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways'.

(viii) Then, Israel felt like having a king to govern her as the other nations around her.

(b) Consequences of The King's Disobedience to God (1 Sam. 15:1-25; 1 Sam. 31:1-13):

(i) Saul became disobedient when he spared king Agag of Amalek and the best of livestock.

(II) This disobedience caused Saul the kingdom as Samuel quickly announced his rejection by God as king over Israel.

(iii)As a result of this disobedience, the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit started haunting him.

(iv) Music was needed to soothe Saul anytime the torments started; hence, the employment of David to play the lyre to relieve him.

(v) The worst evil came to Saul when he and his three sons were killed in a war against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa.

(vi) The Philistines placed his head and armour in the temple of their God, and displayed his body on the wall of Bethsham for the public.