Spivey's Unauthorized Biblical Timeline
a Scripture-centered journey through God's redemptive story from a historic perspective. 

ISRAEL REJECTS GOD'S JUDGES:

PHILISTINES

Israel was still subject to the Philistines during the time of the Kings. 1 Samuel 13:19 reflects their control "Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!"

SAUL

The Israelites continued to rebel against the Lord.  First in their worship practices, where they made idols to the pagan gods of the neighboring nations, but now the Israelites wanted a human king as their governing authority. Their source of authority was empty without power, and subject to the corrupt hearts of man. Now, both the people and their king had to fear the Lord, and if one failed, both failed.

• 1 Samuel 8:1-9"1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 

• 1 Samuel 12:14-15 " 14 If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.

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The Lord accepted the Israelite's request and the Lord gave them someone who reflected their hearts.  The Lord directed Samuel to anoint Saul (1 Samuel 9:15-17, 10:17-24). The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power, changed his heart (1 Samuel 10:9-10). At his first battle, Saul was rebuked for disobedience and he was put on notice that his kingship would could be revoked in the future (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 28:16-18 ). Saul was successful when he sought direction from the Lord and obeyed the literal words he received. For 25 years, Saul and the Israelites fought the nations that plundered them (1 Samuel 14:47-48), but one day, he went too far.  His half obedience was full disobedience as the Lord finally rejected Saul, who used his own eyes and heart to interpret the Lord's intent and failed to totally destroy everything that belonged to the Amalekites; keeping alive their King Agag and his livestock that Saul considered "good" (1 Samuel 15:1-9).  The Lord spoke to Samuel and Samuel told Saul that he had been rejected, so the Lord directed Samuel to anoint another king. Saul would continue as king for another 15+ years.

DAVID

This time, the Lord choose a king that reflected His heart. (1 Samuel 16:7).  God did not have to change David's heart because David pursued the Lord (1 Samuel 13:13-14, Acts 13:22). From that day the Spirit of the Lord was removed from Saul and given the David. Saul selected David to serve him in his courts, but I believe that the battle against Goliath happened before David entered Saul's service since he was referred to as a "boy" and Saul did not know who him.  Since all scripture is not necessarily chronological, this should be David's first recorded encounter with King Saul. He was considered a young man, but in Jewish tradition, the age of 13 is considered a man.  David's pursuit is evident in the Book of Psalm. David was God's instrument of judgment and a mighty warrior.  Saul tried to kill David many times, but the Lord protected David.  The Lord gave Saul into David's hands, but David would not kill "the Lord's anointed". Because of all the blood that David spilled (2 Samuel 16:7-8), he was not allowed to build the Temple, but God allowed him to design it and have his son, Solomon construct the building that housed the Ark.

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SOLOMON

Solomon was not David's firstborn, but the Lord loved Solomon from birth and gave him a special name, Jedidiah, meaning "loved by the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:24-25).  Through the guidance of Nathan the Prophet, his mother Bathsheba reminded David in his old age of his oath that Solomon would be king (1 Kings 1:17-27). After his anointing, the Lord inquired of Solomon in a dream to ask whatever Solomon would want the Lord to give him.  Solomon chose wisdom over riches and power. The Lord was please and gave him all three in abundance (1 Kings 3). He laid the foundation to the Temple in his fourth year and completed not only the Temple, but a Palace and many other capital projects throughout the land.  In making peace with the neighboring nations, had many wives and concubines who brought their pagan idols and practices.  This corrupted Solomon and eventually, the Lord would split the nation in two parts, with Israel retaining 10 tribes and Judah retaining Simeon.