Human Kingship

In the book of Samuel, the institution of monarchy takes shape in Israel: the prophet Samuel anoints Saul as Israel’s first king and later anoints David as his successor. Questions of kingship and power stand at the heart of the book, to which its narrative returns again and again. Alongside portraits of God-fearing kings who lead with nobility and a sense of shared destiny with their people, the book of Samuel also presents, in many forms, the dangers that shadow those in power: the temptation to forget God, and the misuse of force and authority. Yet despite these warnings, the book of Samuel ultimately leaves the reader with hope – that a monarchy grounded in integrity and justice is not only imaginable, but truly possible. Through close and innovative readings of Samuel’s narrative, Rabbi Silber uncovers its conceptual depth and inner drama, revealing a prophetic work that is as compelling and relevant today as it was during the period of the monarchy.