Concerns Regarding the Monarchy/2

Problem With the King

Exegetical Approaches

Overview

 

 

Rejection of Hashem as Savior

In requesting a human monarch to fight their wars, the people betrayed a lack of faith in and recognition of Hashem as their warrior and savior.

Sources: R. Eliezer in Bavli SanhedrinSanhedrin 20bAbout the Bavli according to RashiSanhedrin 20bAbout R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RadakShemuel I 8:5About R. David Kimchi, Prof. Y. Elitzur

What is wrong with desiring a military leader?

"וְיָצָא לְפָנֵינוּ וְנִלְחַם אֶת מִלְחֲמֹתֵנוּ" – Rashi and Radak points to these words of the nation as evidence that the people were not requesting a king who would serve a judicial purpose, but rather a military leader.

"שִׂימָה לָּנוּ מֶלֶךְ לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ" – One might argue that in their initial request, the people made no mention of any military role, but only a judicial one (לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ). These sources could answer that the people were using the verb in the military sense of the word,¹ asking for a king who would serve as a שופט, like the leaders of the Book of Judges who were mainly saviors in war.

"וַיֵּרַע הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי שְׁמוּאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמְרוּ תְּנָה לָּנוּ מֶלֶךְ לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ" – This position might say that Shemuel misunderstood the people's request, understanding "וַלְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ" in its judicial sense.  He was personally insulted as he assumed that they found him lacking.

Hashem's response: "כִּי אֹתִי מָאֲסוּ" – Hashem corrects Shemuel's misconception and explains that the request is really a rejection of Hashem, not Shemuel.

"כְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם"

Mishpat haMelekh

Granting a king

Laws in Devarim

Rejection of the Shofet

The people's desire for a king "to judge us" was problematic either because it usurped the institution of judges as a whole, or because it was a personal affront to Shemuel specifically.

Sources: RambamHilkhot Melakhim 1:2About R. Moshe b. Maimon, RambanBeresehit 49:10About R. Moshe b. Nachman, R. Yosef ibn KaspiShemuel I 8:6About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, RanDerashot HaRan 11About R. Nissim Gerondi, Malbim #2Shemuel I 8:6About R. Meir Leibush Weiser, Hoil Moshe

"לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ"

"כְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם"

Shemuel' complaint

Hashem's retort

Rejection of Torah Law

Hashem was upset by the people's request since they desired a king who would be like the other nations and not subject to the laws of Torah.

Sources: R. Nehorai in Sifre Devarim156About Sifre Devarim, RalbagShemuel I 8:4About R. Levi b. Gershom, bishop cited by AbarbanelShemuel I 8:4-6About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, Malbim #3Shemuel I 8:6About R. Meir Leibush Weiser

"כְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם"

"לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ"

Shemuel's complaint

Hashem's response

Wrong Timing

Though there is nothing inherently wrong with the institution of monarchy, in this era of miraculous providence, there was no need for a king.

Sources: R. Yehuda in Sifre Devarim156About Sifre Devarim,² Malbim #1Shemuel I 8:6About R. Meir Leibush Weiser

¹ See Radak's second possibility in explaining the word  "וּשְׁפָטָנוּ" in verse 22: "או פירושו יקח משפטינו מיד אויבינו".  According to this understanding, the last two clauses of the verse, ",וְיָצָא לְפָנֵינוּ וְנִלְחַם אֶת מִלְחֲמֹתֵנוּ" clarify what is meant by the initial phrase, "וּשְׁפָטָנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ" .

² R. Yehuda doe not elaborate as to why this was the wrong time to ask for a king.