The Second Book of Samuel details King David reign as Israel’s king. Prior to his monarchy, Samuel had conceded to the Israelites’ demand for a king. With this, Saul was made king.
With this governance change from tribal confederation to monarchy, Samuel laid out the terms and costs. As the Saul’s monarchy failed the Lord’s expectations, Saul was replaced by David.
In Second Samuel, the Prophet Nathan came to King David with the Lord’s words. “will you build me a house for my dwelling?” 2 Samuel 7:3. He further the Lord said “I have taken you [David] from the sheepfold, following the flocks, to become ruler of my people, over Israel. I was with you wherever you went.” 2 Samuel 7:8.
The Lord goes on further that “I shall establish my people, for Israel; I shall plant it [Tabernacle and Ark] here and it shall dwell in its place so that it shall be disturbed no more… And the Lord informs you that the Lord will establish a dynasty for you. When your days are complete, you shall lie with your forefathers, I will raise up after you your offspring who will issue from your loins, and I shall make his kingdom firm.”
The Lord then goes to state that “he shall build a Temple for my sake and I shall make firm the throne of his kingdom forever. I shall be a Father unto him and he shall be a son unto me, so that when he sins I will chastise him with the rod of men and with afflictions of human beings. But my kindness will not be removed from him as I removed [it] from Saul.” 2 Samuel 7:13-15.
Finally, he indicated that “your dynasty and kingdom will remain steadfast before you forever, your throne will remain forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16.
Are these edicts from Second Samuel part of a Ten Commandments’ reboot? Should the establishment of a permanent dwelling for the Lord be considered an addition or should it be considered on the same level as the directions to build the Tabernacle?
With respect to monarchy, did the institution of a permanent Davidic Monarchy change the Decalogue? Further, this monarchical line, also came with the proviso of a father-son relationship between the king and the Lord. Is the chastising from the Lord to be accomplished by other actors? Will other nations or actors serve to keep the Davidic leaders in line when their conduct is not in accordance with the commandments? If so, what is the meaning of the monarchy’s fall? What happened to the Davidic line?
As we stand in present times, there no longer is a monarchy. Despite this, life went on. The Ten Commandments and the Torah have remained intact. They remain providing instruction as to how to conduct one’s life. Did the divorce from the monarchy return the people back to the Torah and to a time upon which there is no monarchy? In the end, are Samuel’s words that people should follow a good and proper path the only ones left from the monarchical edicts from the Books of Samuel?
Be well!!
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