THE PURPOSE: To record theestablishment of kingship in Israel and to explain its theologicalsignificance. First Samuel traces the transition of leadership in Israel fromjudges to kings, from a theocracy to a monarchy.
THE THEME: Toreveal the political and spiritual consequences of Israel's folly when they rejectedthe theocracy in favor of a monarchy (1 Sam 8:7). Ultimately, God isKing and His leaders must be chosen by Him.
THE AUTHOR: The author isanonymous. It is certain that Samuel wrote a book (1 Sam 10:25), and it islikely that he wrote part of 1 Samuel as well. Samuel's death, however, isrecorded in 25:1, while the narrative continues on to cover the reign of David.Therefore, it is likely that Nathan and Gad composed the rest (1 Chron 29:29).
DATE AND ORIGIN: Originally, the books of 1 and 2Samuel were one book. The translators of the Septuagint (i.e., the Greek OldTestament), separated them, and we have retained that separation ever since.The events of 1 Samuel span approximately one hundred years from the birth ofSamuel to the death of Saul (1105-1011 B.C.)
KEY VERSES:
1Samuel 2:30: ''Thereforethe LORD God of Israel declares, 'I did indeed say that your house and thehouse of your father should walk before Me forever'; but now the LORD declares,'Far be it from Me-for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despiseMe will be lightly esteemed.''
1Samuel 8:7: ''The LORDsaid to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that theysay to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me frombeing king over them.'''
1Samuel 13:13-14: ''Samuelsaid to Saul, 'You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment ofthe LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would haveestablished your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall notendure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and theLORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept whatthe LORD commanded you.''
1 Samuel 15:22-23: ''Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as much delight inburnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, toobey is better than sacrifice, and toheed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, andinsubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the wordof the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.''
1Samuel 16:7: ''Butthe LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of hisstature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance,but the LORD looks at the heart.''
KEY WORDS: The key word is ''king.'' First Samuel is thefirst book to use the word Messiah (''anointed,'' 2:10). It is also the first tocall God the ''Lord of hosts'' (1:3). The well-known words ''Ichabod'' (''no glory,''4:21) and ''Ebenezer'' (''stone of help,'' 7:12) come from this book.
KEY PHRASE: ''The Lord's anointed'' (fourteen times)
KEY NOTE: First Samuel 2:30gives us an important principle: ''those who honor Me, I will honor.'' Eli wasdisciplined by the Lord for unfaithful service. Samuel was an example of a manin ministry whom
God honored (even though hewas not perfect, 8:13).
CHRIST IN 1 SAMUEL: Samuelwas a type of Christ in that he was a prophet, priest, and judge. David was oneof the primary Old Testament portrayals of the person of Christ.
NUTSHELL OUTLINE:[i]
1. Thebirth and call of Samuel (1:1-4:1a)
2. Theloss and return of the ark (4:1b-7:17)
3.Saul anointed king (8:1-12:25)
4. Thefailure of Saul's kingship (13:1-15:35)
5. Therise of David (16:1-17:58)
6. The decline and death of Saul (18:1-31:13)
[i]Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How toRead the Bible Book by Book (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 87-88.
