The desire of Israel to be ruled by a King had existed since at least the days of Gideon (See, Judges 8:22, 23), but now the corruption of Samuel’s sons gives the nation an opportunity to attempt to bring to an end the rule of the Judges and to become more like neighboring nations. Samuel doubtless sorrowed that his own sons were partly responsible for this petition from the people, but the Lord explains that Israel has desired to “serve other Gods” since the day that He brought them out of Egypt. “…they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)
The reign of the Judges was a unique form of government for a people so numerous, unlike any other known at that time, allowing Israel to grow and develop differently, as the people of the Lord. Yet their unwillingness to purge the land of its inhabitants is now beginning to influence their social outlook. They see the ways of the world around them and desire, not to be different, but to be the same - they choose the world over the Lord, in fulfillment of the prophecy and warning in Numbers 33:
53 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.
55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
With the end of the Reign of the Judges and the institution of a King, they develop a stronger national (political) identity. They are no longer the People of the Lord, but the People of Israel.
The Lord instructs Samuel to follow the voice of the people, but also charged him to warn them of the evil effects of monarchial rule. Among the evils mentioned by Samuel are conscription and heavy taxation.
SAUL’S IMPATIENCE
In only two years time, Saul has gone from being the most “goodly” candidate in Israel, to a man who has let his power and authority go to his head and subsequently cloud his judgement. He has become the epitome of Joseph Smith’s warning,
We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. (D&C 121:39)
When Samuel does not arrive at the appointed time to offer sacrifice, Saul takes it upon himself to perform the priestly duty, though he has no priesthood authority to do so. Much focus has been placed on Saul’s impatience, and certainly he was impatient. Many of his men had begun to desert, or to hide in the face of the threatening Philistine army. Saul was willing to wait upon the servant of the Lord for a period of time, but when the pressure mounted, he caved in and performed the sacrifice himself.
That he would even consider to do so shows that he does not understand the nature of the priesthood, nor the limits of his authority as King. His trust in the Lord and his servant has been replaced by trust in himself. He may even have rationalized that the real purpose of the sacrifice was not to enlist the Lord’s help in their battle, but rather was simply to provide courage for his men. He thought only of the outward effect of the sacrifice, and gave no thought to its inner significance.
FIVE SMOOTH STONES
It is largely from this incident that the number 5 represents deliverance or grace in Hebrew numerology.
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