What scriptural connections exist between 1 Samuel 10:25 and Deuteronomy's laws for kings? A Key Moment—1 Samuel 10:25 “Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them in a scroll and laid it before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.” Moses’ Royal Charter—Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (BSB, excerpts) • vv. 14-15 “You will say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations…’ You shall surely set over yourselves a king the LORD your God chooses.” • v. 16 “He must not multiply horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt.” • v. 17 “Nor shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold.” • vv. 18-19 “When he sits on the throne, he is to write for himself a copy of this Law… It shall remain with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD.” • v. 20 “Thus his heart will not be lifted up above his brothers, and he will not turn aside from the commandment.” Side-by-Side Connections • Same Source of Authority – Deuteronomy 17:15 “the LORD your God chooses” – 1 Samuel 10:24 “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen?” • Written Covenant Document – Deuteronomy 17:18 “write for himself a copy of this Law” – 1 Samuel 10:25 “Samuel… wrote them in a scroll and laid it before the LORD.” • Deposited Before the LORD – Deuteronomy 31:26 “Moses commanded the Levites… ‘Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant.’” – 1 Samuel 10:25 “laid it before the LORD” (likely near the ark at Shiloh/Ramah). • Limits on Royal Power – Deuteronomy 17 lists restrictions (horses, wives, wealth). – 1 Samuel 10:25 outlines “rights of kingship,” a phrase that also implies limits (cf. 1 Samuel 8:11-18). • Requirement to Read and Obey – Deuteronomy 17:19 “read it all the days of his life.” – By giving Saul a public, written charter, Samuel implicitly calls him to that continual reading and obedience. • Equal Standing Before God – Deuteronomy 17:20 “His heart will not be lifted up above his brothers.” – 1 Samuel 10:25 occurs immediately after Saul is presented “from among all the people” (10:23-24), stressing shared covenant identity. Why Samuel Adds His Scroll • Not a new law, but an application: Samuel applies Moses’ royal charter to Israel’s first monarchy, ensuring the people and the king know the divine standard. • He records it publicly to prevent later dispute (cf. 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chron 23:11, where a “testimony” accompanies a coronation). • The placement “before the LORD” binds the king under oath; judgment awaits any deviation (1 Samuel 12:25). Pattern for Future Monarchs • Saul’s failure with Amalek (1 Samuel 15) and David’s success in consulting the Law (Psalm 19:7-11) both trace back to this charter. • Solomon’s later accumulation of horses, wives, and gold (1 Kings 10-11) violates every Deuteronomy 17 line Samuel had highlighted. God’s Unchanging Standard • The consistency between Moses and Samuel shows that leadership may change, but God’s revealed Word and its requirements stand firm (Psalm 119:89; James 1:17). • Every ruler—ancient or modern—remains accountable to the same unalterable Scripture. |
    |