What does 1 Chronicles 1:48 teach about the temporality of earthly power? Reading the Verse “Then Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the River reigned in his place.” (1 Chronicles 1:48) Observations on the Text • The statement is brief, factual, and sequential—one king dies, another rises. • It appears in a genealogy that records the Edomite rulers in strict historical order. • No commentary is given about each king’s achievements; the focus is simply on the transition itself. • The wording underscores a recurring pattern: death interrupts every reign, and power instantly shifts elsewhere. Key Lessons on the Temporality of Earthly Power • Earthly authority is inherently temporary—“Samlah died.” No throne is permanent. • Power is transferred, not retained—“Shaul … reigned in his place.” Someone always follows. • Human reigns are bound by mortality; God’s reign alone is eternal (Psalm 90:2). • Achievements and titles fade from the record; the genealogical list moves on after a single verse. • History confirms the Bible’s claim that nations rise and fall at God’s sovereign direction (Daniel 2:21). Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 103:15-16—“As for man, his days are like grass…” • Isaiah 40:23-24—God “reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.” • James 4:14—“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” • 1 Peter 1:24—“All flesh is like grass… the glory of man like the flower.” • Revelation 11:15—“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord… and He will reign forever and ever.” Personal Takeaways • Hold earthly positions loosely; they are gifts, not guarantees. • Measure success by faithfulness to God’s eternal kingdom, not by temporal titles. • Remember that every leader—good or bad—will answer to the Judge whose reign never ends. • Let the certainty of God’s unending sovereignty replace fear of political change. |
    |