We will resume our study of the beginnings of the Jewish monarchy, this time focusing on 1 Samuel 13. In this story, Saul prepares for another battle with the Philistines, and he awaits Samuel, the priest, to perform a sacrifice. When Samuel does not arrive in a specified time, Saul performs the sacrifice himself, seeking God's assistance and favor during the battle.
Shortly thereafter, Samuel arrives and chastises Saul for his action. Further, he suggests that God is so displeased with Saul that He has chosen another to replace Saul (and his household) as the next king of Israel.
Clearly Saul had overstepped the boundary between politics and religion. What may be less clear to our eyes -- given that the separation of church and state has been pretty well acculturated in us -- is that this was a notable shift in the history of Israel. Previous leaders, especially great ones, had been both political and religious leaders: men like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua, and even tribal leaders like Gideon saw no great distinction between those roles, even as the priesthood was developing under the tribe of Levi.
Thus was birthed a division of labor that has greatly influenced modern society. The cost was fairly small -- one king overstepped his bounds and eventually lost his crown because he didn't realize that times were changing. But it also dramatically shaped the expectations of the future kings of Israel, especially David. And these expectations reverberate through the centuries.
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