(1 Sam. 13:13). This statement must be taken at face value, but since it is clear that the messianic kingship was reserved for David, the division of the kingdom was a foregone conclusion, and Saul’s successors, had he been obedient, would have reigned over some kingdom, perhaps that of Israel in the north, while David’s successors would reign, as they in fact did, over Judah in the south.50 That both the initial and final rejection of Saul occurred at Gilgal and in connection with the offering of
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