Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD — Samuel establishes the 'manner of the kingdom' (mishpat hammelukhāh), the constitutional principles and practices that will govern the kingship. He writes this 'in a book' (bassepher) and deposits it 'before the LORD' (lipne YHWH), placing it under divine sanction. The written constitution (perhaps like the law of the kingship in Deuteronomy 17) establishes that even the king is subject to God's law and covenant.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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