Editing Samuel (section)

===King-Maker===
Samuel initially appointed his two sons [[Joel (son of Samuel)|Joel]] and [[Abijah]] as his successors; however, just like Eli's sons, Samuel's proved unworthy for they accepted bribes and perverted judgement. The Israelites rejected them. Because of the external threat from other tribes, such as the Philistines, the tribal leaders decided that there was a need for a more unified, central government,<ref name=Zucker>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nTtJAwAAQBAJ&dq=prophet+samuel+bible&pg=PA51|title=The Bible's Prophets: An Introduction for Christians and Jews|first=David J.|last=Zucker|date=December 10, 2013|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=9781630871024 |via=Google Books}}</ref> and demanded Samuel appoint a king so that they could be like other nations. Samuel interpreted this as a personal rejection, and at first was reluctant to oblige, until reassured by a divine revelation.<ref name=Birch/> He warned the people of the potential negative consequences of such a decision. When Saul and his servant were searching for [[Kish (Bible)|his father]]'s lost donkeys, the servant suggested consulting the nearby Samuel. Samuel recognized Saul as the future king.

Just before his retirement, Samuel gathered the people to an assembly at [[Gilgal]], and delivered a farewell speech<ref>Sub-heading in [[New International Version]]</ref> or coronation speech<ref>Sub-heading in [[New King James Version]]</ref> in which he emphasised how prophets and judges were more important than kings, that kings should be held to account, and that the people should not fall into idol worship, or worship of [[Asherah]] or of [[Baal]]. Samuel promised that God would subject the people to foreign invaders should they disobey. 1 Kings 11:5, 33,<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Kings|11:5, 33|NKJV}}</ref> and 2 Kings 23:13<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Kings|23:13|NKJV}}</ref> note that the Israelites fell into Asherah worship later on.<ref>[[Israel Finkelstein]], ''[[The Bible Unearthed]]''; [[Richard Elliott Friedman]], ''Who wrote the Bible?''</ref>