Scripture Studies essay 2

List two to four of the most important people of this era and discuss who they were, what they did, and why their deeds were important to Israel’s faith and culture. Weigh their importance to that of Moses, noting where they were similar and different from him.

Of all the people in the history of Israel at this time I believe that the most important are Samuel, David and Solomon. All played a pivotal role in the direction that Israel would go following their leadership. Samuel was destined for the role of a prophet before he was born and because of the circumstances surrounding his conception.

When Samuel is three years old he is taken to the tabernacle to live and learn under the direction of Eli, the high priest. When Samuel was still a child he was visited by the Lord and called as a prophet. Samuel knew that the people of Israel wanted to be ruled by a king and not judges. Samuel prayed to God and was given permission to call a king. The next day Samuel was visited by Saul who was very righteous and was anointed. It is interesting to note that Saul was anointed to be Captain, not King. It does well to serve as a reminder that only the Lord is King. Samuel was significant in Israel's history and culture because he was the last judge they knew and he provided the way for the period of kings to begin. Samuel was similar to Moses in that he also received auditory witness from God that he was to become the prophet.

David was a shepherd boy whose older brothers served in Saul's army. He was visited and anointed by Samuel to become the next king of Israel. He was the only one who was able to defeat Goliath. David's popularity quickly rose after the defeat of Goliath which began the jealousy and downfall of Saul. Saul was also jealous that David had been anointed the next king and not Saul's son, Jonathan. David eventually had to build an army against Saul for protection and after the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David was able to assume the role as king. David is a pivotal figure in Israel's history because it was through him, that for the first time, the people received full possession of the land promised to them by Moses. David also made the way for Jesus Christ to be born, for His lineage was of the House of David. David was similar to Moses in integrity by the way that David spared Saul's life when given the opportunity to kill him, but is different from Moses because of the ways that David conducted himself with Bath-sheba and Uriah.

Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. Solomon was anointed by Nathan after the death of his father, David. Solomon was very wise and righteous and wanted to establish a permanent residence for the tabernacle. At this point the Ark of the Covenant that was constructed by Moses in the wilderness was over 300 years old. It was through Solomon's dedication to the Lord and willingness to do His will that Solomon was allowed to begin the construction of the temple. The reign of Solomon was also one of peace and unity throughout the kingdom. Solomon was similar to Moses in his righteousness and leadership, demonstrated in his judgment of the two women both claiming to be the mother of a dingle baby. Solomon was also similar in that he was the one to finally be entrusted with the task of building a temple to the Lord. Moses was given the same responsibility which had to be carried out in a different manner due to the lack of permanent residence.