Through the Bible: 1 and 2 Samuel

The books are named after Samuel who serves as a TRANSITION point from the judges to the kings.

Although they are split into two volumes in our Bibles they were originally ONE book.

Content: The transition from the last JUDGE, Samuel, to the first king, Saul; the rise and reign of David.

Time Frame: Samuel’s birth (ca. 1100 B.C.) to the END of David’s kingship (970 B.C.)

Emphases: The beginning of KINGSHIP in Israel; the concern over kingship and covenant loyalty; the ark of the covenant as representing God’s presence; the choice of Jerusalem as “the City of David”; the Davidic covenant with its messianic over-tones; David’s adultery and its consequences.

Central Theme: God rules His people through the king who is a REPRESENTATIVE of the people and whose actions will bring God’s blessing or punishment.

Samuel continues the answer to the question of Ruth: Does God still care? These books DEMONSTRATE God’s great compassion for his people. He gives them a king who is to be their example, defender, and representative. Saul (and many who follow) may fail in these duties, but God is still proven faithful by establishing the line of David.

The books of Samuel fall into FIVE historical sections.

The first is the STORY of the prophet himself in .

Second, chapters 8-15, are the TRANSITION to monarchy where Samuel anoints Saul as King over Israel.

Then the story shifts to the back-and-forth BETWEEN the newly anointed King David and Saul, as Saul stubbornly seeks to hold on to power in chapters 16-31.

Chapters 8-15 are the transition to monarchy where Samuel anoints Saul as King over Israel. God twice rejects Saul as King due to his disobedience—in chapters 13 and 14. Then the story shifts to the back-and-forth between the newly anointed King David and Saul, as Saul stubbornly seeks to hold on to power. That’s chapters 16-31. Moving into 2 Samuel, the life of David—both the good and bad—takes center stage. The first 20 chapters of 2nd Samuel catalogue the death of Saul, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, God’s covenant with David, several battles, and the rebellions of Absalom—David’s son—and Sheba, a Benjaminite. Finally, in chapters 21-24 we have a series of events that draw the narrative to a close.

Moving into 2 Samuel, the life of David—both the good and bad—takes CENTER STAGE in chapters 1-20.

Finally, in , we have a series of events that draw the NARRATIVE to a close.

The first 20 chapters of 2nd Samuel catalogue the death of Saul, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, God’s covenant with David, several battles, and the rebellions of Absalom—David’s son—and Sheba, a Benjaminite. Finally, in chapters 21-24 we have a series of events that draw the narrative to a close.

A MAJOR key to reading 1 and 2 Samuel is understanding that it is teaching us about God, not these men.

A major MISTAKE when reading 1st and 2nd Samuel is treating it as just a collection of inspirational historical stories

We miss the point when we do this.

An example: It’s about how the king that God CHOOSES is the king who prevails – because in the context, God’s favor has left Saul and is now resting on David.

If we ignore themes like this and try to apply these books to our lives without putting them in the context of redemption history, we’ll miss the point.

If we ignore themes like this and try to apply these books to our lives without putting them in the context of redemption history, we’ll miss the point.

1 - Kingship:

1 Samuel Key Themes

1. God’s KINGSHIP: God is the King of the universe; no human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King.

1. God’s kingship. God is the King of the universe; no human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King.

2. God’s PROVIDENTIAL guidance: God is certainly the One who providentially and individually guided the lives of chosen individuals such as Hannah, Samuel, and David; even the life of Saul was in God’s providential care (see ).

Though it is often not recognized by his human agents, God’s timing is always perfect (see and the end of ), for he is the Lord of history.

Though it is often not recognized by his human agents, God’s timing is always perfect (see and the end of ), for he is the Lord of history.

Ordinary situations are the most meaningful in human life, and it is in these that God “works for good.”

3. God’s SOVEREIGN will and power.

As Hannah phrases it, God is the all-knowing God, “a God of knowledge” (), and he chooses or rejects people according to his absolute sovereign will and purpose. From a human perspective it sometimes looks as though God has changed his mind, but God “will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret” (). To be sure, the Lord as the sovereign deity may change his way of dealing with individuals according to his plan and purpose. But his decision is always just and right; at the same time, he is merciful and gracious to sinful human beings. Therefore, obedience to God’s word is of prime importance in human life. First and Second Samuel provide many examples of the importance of listening to the word of God.

2 Samuel Key Themes

1. DAVIDIC covenant.

2. Messianic PROMISE.

David was used for God’s eternal plan of salvation, not because he was perfect and ideal from a human viewpoint, but because the Lord was “with him” and David found favor in God’s sight.

is a turning point in the history of salvation; it clearly advances the messianic hope in the Abrahamic covenant. David was used for God’s eternal plan of salvation, not because he was perfect and ideal from a human viewpoint, but because the Lord was “with him” and David found favor in God’s sight.

is a turning point in the history of salvation; it clearly advances the messianic hope in the Abrahamic covenant. David was used for God’s eternal plan of salvation, not because he was perfect and ideal from a human viewpoint, but because the Lord was “with him” and David found favor in God’s sight.

The themes of 1 Samuel (namely, God’s kingship, providential guidance, and sovereign will and power) are related to the themes of 2 Samuel (namely, the Davidic covenant and messianic promise): the sovereign God, who has guided David’s life, elects David as his deputy to represent his kingship by his eternal covenant. David thus becomes the prototype of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ.

History of Salvation Summary:

“The period of the Judges shows the serious problems Israel had, both in its leadership and among the people as a whole. The books of Samuel show God’s continued care for his people, in raising up for them a king whose job was to be their champion, representative, and example. Saul, by his disobedience to God’s messenger, proves to be an unsuitable king. David, on the other hand, in spite of his moral failures, is God’s choice to be the beginning of an enduring dynasty, from which the ultimate Ruler, who will lead Israel in bringing blessing to all the nations, will arise.” - ESV Study Bible, Pg. 488

Summary: The book of Samuel takes God’s story into the monarchy, especially by means of the story of King David, a man of faith even while a man of weakness. God’s covenant with David is the basis for Jewish messianism, fulfilled finally in the ultimate Son of David, Jesus of Nazareth.

Any questions, comments, clarifications?