From Moses to Samuel

Rabbi Melanie Aron

June 8, 2002

The prophet Samuel is a bridge between the period of the judges and the beginning of the Israelite monarchy. In many ways he is a figure like Moses, a strong leader, who leads alone and in close communication with God. He too is called to service by God and he responds like Moses "hineni-here I am".

In this Hafterah and Torah portion we find parallel's too in the defensive words used in responding to the accusations of the people. Moses says: "I have not taken the ass of any one of them, nor have I wronged any one of them." Similarly, Samuel responds to the people: "Whose ox have I taken or whose ass have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or whom have I robbed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look the other way? I will return it to you."

The commentaries wonder what was so objectionable about the people's request for a king. After all God acquiesces to the request and a monarchy is established so why is Samuel so angry.

First, The people want a king so as to be like all the other peoples. They want a king to rule over them on place of God. Earlier when they tried to convince the judge Gideon to accept the crown he responds: " I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you! God shall rule over you."

Compare this to the song of sea - where the Israelites cry out "Adonia Yimloch Leolam VaEd, Adonai will rule forever".

Second, The people don't wait until Samuel is dead before asking for his replacement. In this way they indicate, according to the commentaries, that they are rejecting Samuel's values and teachings and are looking for a King, whom they can control, who will serve at their whim, and not make ethical and spiritual demands of them. Had they made the request after Samuel died, when they needed leadership, it would have finally been something entirely different.

Notice that the portion ends without the last words of the chapter, because of its desire to end on a more promising note. The last verse ends: If you persist in your wrongdoing you and your King will be swept away. Instead we conclude with V. 22 - For the sake of God's great name, Adonai will never abandon His people, seeing that Adonai undertook to make you His people."

A final curiosity - Jerubaal and Badan are mentioned in this Haftarah as leaders during this time period, yet they are not mentioned in the book of Judges. However, here we find no mention of Gideon and Samson who are mentioned in Judges, and we also Samuel referred to as a great warrior.