(outline for study)The Book of Samuel

Samuel

1 Samuel

Early Life of Samuel

1 Samuel 1

Hannah’s barrenness and her vow.

(1-2) The family of Elkanah.

A certain man:

Elkanah:

Elkanah…. had two wives:

There was an intense, competitive relationship between the two wives, Peninnah (who had children) and Hannah (who had no children).

“Polygamy was ever [always] a sin, though in the patriarchs and ancient saints, a sin of ignorance. ‘It was not so from the beginning.’ (Matthew 19:8; Malachi 2:15).” (Trapp)

(3-7) Elkanah and his family journey to the tabernacle.

This man went up from his city:

Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there:

He would give portions:

She wept and did not eat:

It is possible for problems at home to make your time at the house of God miserable. Hannah is at the house of the LORD with a blessed double portion in front of her and she can’t enjoy it.

The LORD had closed her womb:

It seems strange that Peninnah (who seems of a bad character) was blessed with children and Hannah (who seems of a good character) was cursed with barrenness. Often, we don’t understand God’s ways until He completes His plan.

(8-11) Hannah’s godly vow.

Hannah, why do you weep?…. Am I not better to you than ten sons?

Prayed to the LORD:

O LORD of hosts: God of Armies is the translation here.

She made a vow:

I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life:

Even so, we may be dedicated to the LORD – but it is possible to give God a greater dedication. It would be easy for Hannah to say, “I don’t need to dedicate my child to the LORD because he is already dedicated.” But there was a deeper dedication for the LORD to draw out of Hannah.

(12-14) Eli, the high priest, watches Hannah’s silent prayer.

As she continued praying:

Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard:

How long will you be drunk?

“The fact that Eli supposed her to be drunken, and the other of the conduct of Eli’s sons already mentioned, prove that religion was at this time at a very low ebb in Shiloh; for it seems drunken women did come to the place, and lewd women were to be found there.” (Clarke)

(15-18) Hannah responds to Eli’s accusation; Eli answers with a blessing.

No, my lord:

Have poured out my soul before the LORD:

The God of Israel grant your petition:

Her face was no longer sad:

Hannah shows how we can regain the joy of fellowship in the house of the LORD again: by pouring out our heart before the LORD and by receiving His word with faith.

The birth and dedication of Samuel.

(19-20) Samuel’s miraculous conception and his birth.

Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped:

And the LORD remembered her:

It came to pass in the process of time:

(21-23) Hannah keeps the child until he is weaned.

Until the child is weaned:

Only let the LORD establish His word:

(24-28) Hannah dedicates Samuel to God’s service.

She took him up with her:

With three bulls:

I also have lent him to the LORD:

The name Samuel means “Name of God” but Hannah – as was common among the Hebrews – made a pun on the name by saying that she had “asked the LORD for him.” Asked in Hebrew sounds like Samuel.

So they worshiped the LORD there:

1 Samuel 2

Hannah’s Prayer

The wicked sons of Eli, the high priest

The announcement of God’s judgment against Eli’s house.

1 Samuel 3

Samuel is unable to recognize God’s voice.

God’s message to Samuel.

Samuel matures and is established as a prophet.

1 Samuel 4

The ark is captured.

Israel’s great anguish at the loss of the ark.

1 Samuel 5

The ark in the Philistine city of Ashdod.

The ark of God in Gath and Ekron.

1 Samuel 6

How will the Philistines get rid of the ark of the covenant?

The ark at Beth Shemesh.

1 Samuel 7

Samuel leads the nation in repentance.

Samuel leads the nation to victory.

Transition to the Monarchy

1 Samuel 8

The people of Israel request a king.

Samuel speaks to the people of Israel about their desire for a king.

The Life of Saul

1 Samuel 9

Saul searches for his father’s donkeys.

Samuel and Saul meet.

1 Samuel 10

Saul is anointed as king over Israel.

Saul proclaimed as king.

1 Samuel 11

Saul’s victory.

Saul’s coronation.

1 Samuel 12

Testimony to Samuel’s integrity.

Samuel challenges Israel to serve God under their new king.

1 Samuel 13

The Philistine threat.

Saul’s unlawful sacrifice.

The Philistine threat.

1 Samuel 14

Jonathan’s adventure in faith.

Saul’s foolish oath and its consequences.

1 Samuel 15

Battle against the Amalekites.

Saul is rejected as king.

David & Saul

1 Samuel 16

Samuel anoints David as king.

Saul’s distressing spirit.

1 Samuel 17

Goliath challenges Israel.

David comes to the camp of Israel.

David prepares to fight Goliath.

David defeats Goliath.

1 Samuel 18

David, Jonathan, and Saul.

Saul’s first attempt to kill David.

Saul sets a trap for David, but he escapes and is blessed.

1 Samuel 19

Jonathan defends David before his father Saul.

David flees from Saul.

David, pursued by Saul, flees to Naioth.

1 Samuel 20

David, coming from Naioth, meets Jonathan.

Jonathan’s agreement.

Saul’s settled hatred towards David.

1 Samuel 21

David meets Ahimelech the priest at Nob.

David at Gath.

1 Samuel 22

David at Adullam cave.

Saul murders the priests.

1 Samuel 23

David saves Keilah from the Philistines.

David narrowly escapes Saul in the Judean wilderness.

1 Samuel 24

David doesn’t kill Saul when he has the opportunity.

David appeals to Saul.

Saul’s reaction to David.

1 Samuel 25

David’s anger at Nabal.

Abigail intercedes between David and Nabal.

Nabal dies and David marries Abigail.

1 Samuel 26

David’s second opportunity to kill Saul.

David confronts Saul again with the evidence of his mercy.

1 Samuel 27

David joins with the Philistine leader Achish.

David becomes a bandit.

1 Samuel 28

Saul’s distressing situation.

Saul consults a spirit medium.

Samuel speaks to Saul.

Saul’s reaction and departure.

1 Samuel 29

The Philistine rulers object to David’s presence among the Philistine army.

David heads back to Ziklag.

1 Samuel 30

David’s distress.

David wins back what was lost – and more.

The spoil from the battle is divided.

1 Samuel 31

King Saul and his sons die in battle.

Aftermath of the Philistine’s victorious battle.

2 Samuel

King David

2 Samuel 1

David and the death of Saul (1:1–27)

David becomes king (2:1–5:5)

2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 3

2 Samuel 4

2 Samuel 5

Jerusalem, the city of David (5:6–25)

Zion, the place of worship (6:1–23)

2 Samuel 6

Davidic covenant: eternal throne (7:1–29)

2 Samuel 7

Catalog of David’s military activities (8:1–18)

2 Samuel 8

Mephibosheth (9:1–13)

2 Samuel 9

Israel-Ammon war (10:1–12:31)

Beginning of Israel-Ammon war (10:1–19)

2Samuel 10

2 Samuel 11

David and Bathsheba (11:1–12:25)

2 Samuel 12

End of Israel-Ammon war (12:26–31)

Absalom’s banishment and reinstatement (13:1–14:33)

2 Samuel 13

2 Samuel 14

Absalom’s rebellion (15:1–19:43)

2 Samuel 15

Absalom’s conspiracy (15:1–12)

2 Samuel 16

David’s escape from Absalom (15:13–16:14)

2 Samuel 17

Ahithophel and Hushai (16:15–17:23)

David arrives at Mahanaim (17:24–29)

Death of Absalom (18:1–19:8a)

2 Samuel 18

David’s return to Jerusalem (19:8b–43)

2 Samuel 19

2 Samuel 20

Sheba’s rebellion (20:1–26)

Conclusion

2 Samuel 21

Famine and the death of Saul’s sons (21:1–14)

Philistine wars (21:15–22)

2 Samuel 22

Song of David (22:1–51)

2 Samuel 23

Last words of David (23:1–7)

David’s heroes (23:8–39)

2 Samuel 24

The census and the threshing floor (24:1–25)