“Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which the LORD will do
before your eyes. .”
Samuel 12 winds up a punishing tirade against the Hebrews for demanding a king. Abravanel
explains Samuel’s diatribe, essentially the prophet’s philippic against that fraught form of
government as a singularly misguided, harebrained idea. A prophet ablaze.
Tucked into Abravanel’s unabashed treatment of monarchies is a hidden gem. We only mention
in it passing, in order to focus on the subject at hand: Bible Poly Sci: 101. This gem is, in fact, a
cornerstone of Judaism. Of course, we speak about free choice. For Abravanel the question is
this: If the Hebrews’ petition to Samuel to anoint a king was bad and harmful, why did God
comply? And why was Samuel the prophet complicit, as it were, in identifying and proclaiming
Saul the king? The answer, as stated, forms a fundamental tenet of Jewish faith. God
underwrites free choice. Choice, as it implies, means free-volition to do good or evil. Enough on
this topic for now. Let’s move on to the subject at hand and see how Abravanel interprets
Samuel’s remarks, in light of the perils inherent in a Hebrew monarchy.
What is “this great thing” Samuel announces? Before we answer, here is a short preface. In the
Holy Land, agriculture is a delicate matter. Summer rain wreaks havoc on crop production.
Now, here are the verses detailing the “great thing” that Samuel foretells. “Is it not wheat
harvest to-day? I will call unto the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain; and you shall
know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in
asking you a king.”
God heard the prophet’s plea; He performed. “So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD
sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.” Dire
(and unseasonable) weather conditions spelled calamity. Here is how Abravanel breaks down
the people’s collective – and twofold – sins.
On the one hand, the Hebrews wronged their Maker. “And all the people said unto Samuel:
Pray for your servants unto the LORD your God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our
sins this evil, to ask us a king.” Abravanel notes that the Jews conceded their folly and affront to
God. Repentance is evident. But something else emerges. Namely, “for we have added unto all
our sins this evil” suggests that nothing good will result from a Hebrew monarchy – only
heartache.
While that generation may not see the horrid consequences of their foolhardy demand, the
Creator is forward seeing. “Which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you for a
king.” A timebomb ticks. Before long, Hebrew kings will make life hell for Israelis. Summer
thunder and rain are frightful. Darkened heavens and deafening hubbub augur angst. Ominous
omens. Political disaster stalks.
What was their second wrongdoing? The Hebrews bucked – and rejected – Samuel’s authority.
“And they said unto him: Behold, you are old, and your sons walk not in your ways; now make
us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (Samuel 8) As to the prophet’s rejoinder to the
ungainly call, he cooperated. “And Samuel said unto all Israel: Behold, I have hearkened unto
your voice in all that you said unto me, and have made a king over you.” (Samuel 12) He
grasped his brethren’s drift and knew that they ousted him.
Samuel, Abravanel learns, held his fire and chastisement until he anointed King Saul. That is
because he didn’t want the people to misconstrue. They should not think that he sought to
thwart the people’s will. “And now, behold, the king walks before you…” The deed being a fait
accompli, Samuel bellowed.
But first, he called for a commission to investigate all allegations made against his sons.
“Behold, my sons are with you…” No ‘proteksia’, Samuel insisted. Then the prophet pivoted to
the people’s rejection of his leadership. “And I have walked before you from my youth unto this
day.” He demanded his co-religionists to stop hemming and hawing. If they had a gripe, tell him
to his face.
Ultimately, Samuel 12 strikes a conciliatory chord. Hearing the Hebrews’ contrition for having
wronged the Creator and prophet, Samuel moved on. He promised not to withhold goodwill
and prayer on behalf of his brethren. “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin
against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right
way.” The people received more wise counsel from the aged prophet and judge. “Only fear the
LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things He has done for
you. But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”