Week 12 Tutorial: The Israelites Ask for a King (Judges 17–21; Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–15)

Week 12 Readings of our 2025 Chronological Bible-in-a-Year Reading Challenge see us witness a major transition in the way God's people are governed as the prophet Samuel, Israel's final judge, appoints Saul from Benjamin to be Israel's first king.

In essence, the family of Israel led by its fathers (in Genesis), which became the nation of Israel led by judges (Exodus–Ruth), has now become the kingdom of Israel under the governance of a Monarchy (1 Samuel).

In this tutorial, Chad walks us through some of the major narrative points of this weeks' readings including, the civil war against Benjamin in Judges; the origin-story of king David in Ruth; and the anointing of Saul, by Samuel, as king of Israel.

We also discuss a somewhat subtle point made by the author of both Judges and Ruth in highlighting the nobility of the men of Judah, particularly when compared to those of Benjamin. As we come into the Book of Samuel, and the rise of Israel's first kings, it appears the seeds are being planted for a kind of rivalry between these two tribes ... and that Judah, not Benjamin, is somehow the one that will win out in the end.

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Participation in this Challenge is free and open to all!
1. Download & Print the PDF Reading Schedule here: https://bit.ly/2025BiblePlanPDF
2. Watch Chad's Weekly Videos at our Playlist: https://rumble.com/playlists/NLkJpY1qMHI
3. Set aside 90-120 mins every week (approx.) to work through the readings. This format has you walking through the Bible in a chronological manner: with psalms, prophets and epistles being inserted into the narrative at appropriate points.

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Enjoy this tutorial, get stuck into your readings... another one coming next weekend!