establishment of the monarchy; but the prophetic role goes beyond establishment, claiming the right not only to designate and dismiss certain kings but also to exercise ultimate control over the conscience of the king. The preeminent prophetic figures in these books are Samuel and Nathan. For the twenty-five years or so that I have been concerned with 1–2 Samuel, like everyone else, I have taken for granted that Samuel was brought on the scene for the inauguration of the monarchy in Israel. It has
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