Similarities Between Samuel And Elie Wiesel

From a biblical perspective we see in 1 Samuel 12:1-4 Israel’s high regard for Samuel. He was a man who exuded integrity. Samuel said to all of Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right.” “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

In 2 Samuel the narrative shifts to the reign of David as he rises above Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to become the king, first of Judah and then of all the tribes of Israel (5:1–4). The book records David’s wars of conquest including the capture of Jerusalem and the relocation of the ark of the covenant to the City of David (6:1–19). But the author also records David’s failures: his adultery with Bathsheba (11:1–26), Absalom’s rebellion (15:1–18:30), Sheba’s revolt (20:1–26), and the disastrous census (24:1–25). Like all the prophetic writers, the author presents a portrait of his historical figures from the perspective of their faithfulness to God’s covenant.

“Then David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David.” Kings 2:10,

Although Saul met all qualifications of what the ideal king should resemble, he lacked the most important trait, obedience to God. Saul was identical to the rest of the people of Israel and wanted to reign his way. Saul’s disobedience caused his fall, “For example, his usurpation of priestly functions while awaiting Samuel to offer the sacrifices at Gilgal before the battle with the Philistines caused God to vow that he would remove the kingdom from Saul (Hindson 165).” God rejected Saul as king because of his blatant disobedience of God’s commands, and God chose David as the forthcoming king.

Edwards states, "David the sheepherder would have grown up to become King Saul II, except God cut away the Saul inside David's heart" [p. 24]. Like David, we must devote ourselves to spending personal and consistent time with God to develop a heart like his. On the other hand, Saul's tragic downfall is a cautionary tale, highlighting the danger of unchecked pride and insecurity. Despite his anointment as king by God, Saul's jealousy and self-importance plunged him into spiritual darkness.

As we examine the heroes of the faith outlined for us in the Old Testament, we would be hard pressed to find a more faithful man that King David. After the death of King Saul, David became the King of the Hebrew people. David, who was meek and pious, steadfastly believed in the true God and tried to do His will. He had endured much persecution from Saul and other enemies but did not become bitter, did not lift his hand against Saul, as he was the Lord’s anointed, but placed all his hope in God, and the Lord delivered him from all his enemies.

As Samuel grew in age he intended to appoint one of his sons as the king of Israel. His sons however did not follow the ways of their father or God. “They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice” (I Samuel 8:3). The people of Israel desired a king, “a king like all the other nations” (Hindson and Yates, 2012. P.164). The people had grown tired of oppression and felt that “the lack of a strong human leader as the cause and did not realize that the reason for the oppression was a spiritual on-their failure to serve God” (Harbin, 2005, p.219). Saul was not God’s choice for the throne but “he was the people’s choice” (Hindson and Yates, 2012. P.164). Saul’s appointment as king was against the “old

When David arrived at the battle field, he was surprised to see the men fearfully hiding in the shadows to escape the giant. Rightfully confused at the sight, David interrogated the Israelite soldiers and was disappointed when he concluded that the Israelites were cowards. David was a fearless man who continually and significantly depended on God as his protector and provider. He quickly confronted King Saul concerning the matter and came to a solution in which he would fight Goliath. His inaptitude was apparent but his innate sense of courage was inscrutable. Reluctantly, King Saul complied and after much debate, agreed that David would face the giant with nothing but a sling shot and five stones. David approached the battlefield and with one motion, flung the sling around quickly. The stone then slipped from the cloth and flew through the air at an incredible speed. With astonishing precision, the stone hit the monster’s forehead with great impact, causing the skull to shatter and cave in on itself killing the beast immediately. Then, standing upon the giant’s dead corps, David sliced the beast head off using the philistine’s sword. Upon seeing this, the philistines fled in a stampede from the battle field, leaving God’s chosen people as

It is written that the person who disobeys God’s commandments will, among many other curses, be defeated in battle and see the destruction of their own offspring. Upon inspection of 2 Samuel, it becomes visible that a substantial change comes about to it’s narrative after David’s great sin. Whereas David is painted positively in the first half of 2 Samuel, the second half is disastrous for his legacy. When it comes to the story of David, the dichotomy of positive and negative is clear, and the root of

As David gained too much fame, Saul became jealous and plotted to kill David. However, as Saul and his sons neared their death, David was finally able to become king. During his reign, David conquered more land, forced tribute, and required high taxes in order to expand Jerusalem and its empire. After David’s death, his son Solomon became king.

”We first encounter David as a lad in his father’s home at Bethlehem, where Samuel anointed him king over Israel (I Sam. 16 1 -13).2 A little later on he is called in to relieve Saul’s insanity by playing the lyre and is appointed Saul’s armour-bearer (I Sam. 16 14-23).3 His next appearance is in Saul’s camp when Israel is fighting the Philistines.”

Here with Saul, he has failed to do what God wanted and off he goes, “If Samuel cannot find me for a few days, maybe this will go away”, maybe this is what Saul thought as he went from place to place. We see what guilt did for Adam, Eva and Saul in this; it pushed them to hide from God and Samuel, guilt from their own disobedience.

The Hebrews travelled along the road to Bashan. The king, Og, advanced and started a battle. God reassured Moses not to fear, that He would deliver them to him. He told him to battle the same as they did to Sihon. They took the city and all its inhabitants, there were no survivors.

As the tide of battle swiftly turns against the Jews, as Samuel had predicted. King Saul tries to make it to where his sons are battling, but is too late. He is too occupied defending himself from the Philistines and can only watch as his two sons suffer defeat. Afterwards, King Saul gets severely wounded by the Philistine’s archers in his legs and becomes unable move. As many fled for their lives, King Saul’s loses hope in winning the war. After having to see the death of his three sons, he gives up all hope in winning.

Saul had previously wiped out all of the mediums and wizards from the land because they were evil in the eyes of Yahweh. Because of his realized hypocrisy, he disguised himself and visited the medium his servants had sought out in Endor. He told the medium to call upon Samuel and so she immediately suspected that he is Saul. She knew that her work was extremely illegal by Saul's court, so she became afraid until he reassured her that he was permitting the act in that occasion. She then called upon Samuel. Samuel apparently took over the medium's body or appears in some other way to Saul. So Saul did what he came there for and asked for advise on his latest predicament. The irritated and disturbed Samuel explained that Yahweh is taking away his kingdom and giving it to David because of his disobedience of not carrying out the Lord's punishment against the Amalekites (according to Mc Carter the dead had some way of knowing God's plans and had access to them). So, Saul fell to the ground in anguish from the news and lack of energy caused by fasting. The medium quickly attended to him and forced him to eat. Saul and his servants then left. And there the chapter ends.