Reflections on the Life and Period of King Saul Essay

Reflections on the Life and Period of King Saul - Essay Example The bible narrates that when the Prophet Samuel grew old, the elders of Israel demanded a king for Israel because the sons of Samuel were not walking in the ways of Samuel and also because they need a leader â€Å"like other nations† (1 Samuel 8.5). At first, Samuel attempted to dissuade his people from having a king. Samuel was also â€Å"displeased† and prayed to God. In response, God communicated to Samuel that it was not Samuel’s leadership that the people was rejecting but God’s kingdom (1 Samuel 8.7). God asked Samuel to tell his people what a king would do: draft citizens for army service, get a tenth of the harvest, and turn people to slaves (1 Samuel 8.10-18). However, the people remained steadfast in asking Samuel for a king and God eventually conceded (1 Samuel 8.21). The Israelites wanted a king â€Å"like the other nations† to lead them, go with them, and fight their battles (1 Samuel 8.20). According to the biblical account, God told S amuel that he has chosen Saul to be king and to lead in the delivery of Israel from the Phillistines and God also told Samuel that the cries of the people of Israel has reached him (1 Samuel 9.15-17). Biblical accounts describe Saul as a Benjamite who was the tallest Israelite during his time. In revealing God’s choice for Saul to become king, Samuel reminded the Israelites that God has been protecting Israel and that by demanding a king, they were rejecting God (1 Samuel 10.17-19). It is important to note that the bible reported that Samuel explained to Israel the regulations of the kingship (1 Samuel 10.25) but nowhere in the bible were the regulations of kingship described or documented. Interestingly, when Saul was anointed king, 1 Samuel 12.1-25 told us that Samuel made a farewell speech, indicating that Saul was to fulfil many functions that Samuel used to fulfil. This indicates that in the movement from Samuel to Saul leadership, there was a movement from theocracy to monarchy. At the same time, in that monarchy, particularly in the Israeli monarchy under Saul, religious figures like Samuel continued to play an important role such in 1 Samuel 13, Samuel rebuked Saul and that Samuel continued to play a role in the military affairs of the Saul monarchy. Eventually, however, in 1 Samuel 15, Samuel after declaring earlier or in 1 Samuel 15.1 that he was the one sent by the Lord to anoint Saul as king declared later that â€Å"the Lord has rejected Saul as king over Israel† in 1 Samuel 15.26. Samuel and Saul parted ways and Samuel anointed David to succeed Saul as king (1 Samuel 16.1-13). David entered Saul’s service (1 Samuel 16.13-23). David eventually succeeded Saul as the king of Israel even when the former became the object of Saul’s jealousy and liquidation plots. Saul’s death is recorded in 1 Chronicle 10. III. The Literature on the Life and Period of King Saul In 1928, in an article published in the Journal of Bibli cal Literature, E.G. Kraeling described the â€Å"real religion of ancient Israel† (133). According to Kraeling, Yahweh or God is never compared to a king because God is the king (152). God is the one â€Å"who sits (enthroned) on mount Zion†

Financial Resources Mgt Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Financial Resources Mgt Assignment - Essay Example Categories of Financial Ratios The Financial ratios are divided into various categories, each identifying a key perspective of the business of the company. Liquidity ratios performance/activity ratios Activity ratios how well the facilities at the disposal of the concern are being used. The ratio is usually calculated on the basis of cost of sales. Gearing/Investment ratios These are of two types. Capital based ratios and Income based ratios. Capital based ratios establish the relationship between the capital provided by proprietor and the other sources of funds whereas income based ratios establishes the relationship between the total revenue of the company its financial charges. Profitability ratios It is used as a performance meter of the company. Models for predicting financial distress There are two kinds of models in practice in the financial world. Univariate models of distress predictions. Multivariate models of distress predictions. Univariate model A univariate model makes use of a single ratio for predicting financial distress of any firm or company. The basis of predicting whether a firm is experiencing financial distress or not depends upon the following element. The average ratio of the non distressed firms will differ from the average of the same ratio of distressed firms. The difference shall be used for predicting financial distress of the firm. Multivariate model Multivariate model uses various ratios at a time to work out a certain figure on which the prediction is based upon. Most multivariate models uses a specific formula which gives out a figure which tells us whether the firm or company is in non distress zone, or distressed zone. The analysis of the figure on which the decision is made varies with... Financial ratios are helpful in finding the performance of the company immediately. It uses key figures from the financial statements and analyses by comparing the results of the ratios to the ratios of a successful business corporation. These are of two types. Capital based ratios and Income based ratios. Capital based ratios establish the relationship between the capital provided by proprietor and the other sources of funds whereas income based ratios establishes the relationship between the total revenue of the company its financial charges. Multivariate model uses various ratios at a time to work out a certain figure on which the prediction is based upon. Most multivariate models uses a specific formula which gives out a figure which tells us whether the firm or company is in non distress zone, or distressed zone. The analysis of the figure on which the decision is made varies with the size of the company and the business which is carried out. Likewise univariate models of predicting financial distress, multivariate models chooses a point of score which is then compared with the score of the company calculated on the basis of a formula. Scores above the point are considered indicating a financially safe company while the score falling below the point is considered indicating a financially distressed company. The score calculated through the formula is known as Altman's Z score.