First, kings were chosen by the Lord—they were his sons, his representatives. Deuteronomy 17:15 says Israel’s king was to be “whom the LORD your God will choose.” The king was to be an Israelite, but God would be the one to select their kings. This reality played itself out in the triad of kings who inaugurated the monarchial period. Saul was anointed (or chosen) by God’s prophet Samuel (1 Sam 9:17; 10:1). The same ritual occurred for both David (1 Sam 16:13) and Solomon (1 Kgs 1:39). Kings in Israel
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