1 Samuel
INTRODUCTION:
It’s been said that the prophet Samuel is perhaps the most influential single person in the Old Testament. It can certainly be stated that he laid the groundwork for Israel’s kingship, beginning with Saul and continuing to David. Samuel was a Levite (1 Chronicles 6:33-38) whose hometown was Ramah in Ephraim. The books bearing his name, however, are less to do with Samuel the person (although initially he figures prominently) and more to do with the establishment through him of the kingdom of Israel. The reign of David continues through to the end of 2 Samuel.
HISTORICAL & POLITICAL SETTING:
After the conquest of Canaan at around 1400 BC, Israel was ruled by a succession of judges until about 1100 BC. This period saw cycles of oppression by and deliverance from surrounding nations. Much of the trouble was brought about by the Israelites turning to serve the gods of Canaan, forsaking the God of their fathers who had brought them out of their bondage in Egypt (Judges 2:11-12). After their distress of being oppressed, and when they cried out to God for deliverance, He raised up judges who led them back to freedom through stirring up the Israelite fighting men. Unfortunately, history repeated itself many
times. Towards the end of this time of alternating peace and affliction, Philistia (Israel’s neighbour to the south-west on the Mediterranean coast) became Israel’s major problem, and God raised up Samuel “to be judge and leader of Israel from 1085 to 1051 B.C.” The people of Israel viewed their own status in the light of that of their enemies, not according to their worship of God. Therefore, in Samuel’s latter years, they desired a king to be their leader as their neighbours had (1 Sam 8:4-5).
AUTHOR & AUDIENCE (RECIPIENTS):
As with the books of Kings and Chronicles, 1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book in Hebrew, and the “translators (of the Septuagint) were the first to separate the material of Samuel into two books”.
Who wrote the book is nowhere stated. Samuel may have had an input, but obviously not after his death (1 Sam 25:1). Other contributors may have included Nathan and Gad (1Chron 29:29), or “various narratives or narrative sources (that were) composed from the time of the events until the time of the exile” .
Dating of the book’s commencement can only otherwise be approximated by combining the reign of Saul, who “lived during the latter half of the 11th century BC. and probably ruled as king from about 1020–1000 BC” ; and the appearance of Samuel as the last of the judges (and the first of the prophets) around 1066-1000 BC.
PURPOSE & BACKGROUND:
Not to be seen simply as an historical record, this book should be studied in light of “the theme of kingship and covenant”, with the author intending “to describe this period of Israel’s history in a way which demonstrates that kingship as requested by the people was a denial of the covenant; kingship as instituted by Samuel was compatible with the covenant” .
There are many other themes to be seen and learnt from, such as “the significance of prayer and praise… the need for faithfulness to human leaders… the nature of human friendship,and the importance of family relationships”. The most dominant theme is leadership, which is woven as a thread throughout the book, both when the nation’s leader is motivated by service to and humility before God, and when the leader is subject to jealousy and wrongly – focused desire. And as is seen often in the narrative, God’s call on a person to be even His chosen king doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing, as “even David’s own household revolted against him”.
However, throughout the turmoil and subsequent exile to Babylon because of the nation’s apostasy, God’s promise to provide through David a king whose “throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:13)…” was fulfilled “…in the person of Jesus Christ the Messiah”.
THEMES TO LOOK FOR:
Perhaps you may be wondering how your insignificant status could possibly be of interest, let alone be vital, to God’s workings. Samuel was born because of one woman’s fervent desire to bear a son – a son she devoted to the service of her Lord and God. Her legacy is one from which we can all take heart.
Feel free to follow along in your personal Bible reading time or even discuss the week’s passage with your Connect Group. We will have weekly summaries of each week’s passages up on our Generocity Church socials.
Samuel the Prophet
- Week 1: Chapter 1, 2, and 3
- Week 2: Chapter 4, 5, 6, 7
The desire for a King and the emergence of Saul
- Week 3: Chapter 8, 9, and 10
- Week 4: Chapter 11, 12, and 13
- Week 5: Chapter 14 and 15
The anointing and rise of David
- Week 6: Chapter 16 and 17
- Week 7: Chapter 18, 19, 20, and 21
- Week 8: Chapter 22, 23, and 24
- Week 9: Chapter 25, 26, and 27
- Week 10: Chapter 28, 29, 30, and 31
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