The Ways of a King / Journal of Ancient Judaism. Supplements Bd.7 (PDF)

Chapter Twelve: Monarchy (S. 220-221)

The books of Samuel and Kings tell the history of the monarchy in ancient Israel : its foundation under Samuel and Saul; the glorious days of the united monarchy under David and Solomon; the schism that separates the northern and southern kingdoms; the persistent tendency of kings to tolerate the worship of foreign gods; the fall of the northern kingdom to the Assyrians; the struggle of the southern kingdom to maintain its independence; the theological and political reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah; the fall of the southern kingdom to Babylon; and the destruction of the temple and the deportation of the country’s leaders. This setup allows the author to complete the analysis of confederacy and also to consider the pros and cons of two other forms of government: theocracy and monarchy.

Confederacy Redux

The analysis of confederacy begun in the book of Judges winds up with the narratives concerning Eli, the priest of Shiloh who judges Israel at the beginning of the first book of Samuel. The author’s treatment of Eli contrasts with that of other Israelite leaders.

(a) We might expect that a figure as important as Eli would receive an introduction commensurate with his status. We might learn of his background —the names of his father or even his grandfather. We might learn of some exceptional quality that raises him above the crowd—valor in battle, unusual physical prowess, or charismatic gifts of personality.We might find a description of some dire situation in Israel that causes Eli to rise up as a savior of the people. The author provides no such introduction. About Eli’s parents and grandparents we learn nothing. No crisis in Israel’s affairs triggers Eli’s appointment as judge; the author, in fact, seems uninterested in how Eli came to occupy the office. The reasons for the lack of deference paid to Eli become apparent as the narrative

Geoffrey P. Miller, J.D. is Stuyvesant Comfort Professor of Law at the New York University Law School.