1 Samuel1 Samuel

ContextContext:• Follows on from JudgesFollows on from Judges• Historical narrativeHistorical narrative• Some written by Samuel – the rest written Some written by Samuel – the rest written

by Nathan and Gadby Nathan and Gad• 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are supposed to be 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are supposed to be

ONE bookONE book• Book of contrastBook of contrast– Eli vs SamuelEli vs Samuel– Saul vs DavidSaul vs David– Rule of God vs Rule of manRule of God vs Rule of man

3 Main Characters:3 Main Characters:• Samuel – Chapters 1-8Samuel – Chapters 1-8• Saul – Chapters 9-15Saul – Chapters 9-15• David – Chapters 16-31David – Chapters 16-31

3 Character’s Plots:3 Character’s Plots:• Samuel’s ministry: Samuel’s ministry: – Born to Hannah – who was barrenBorn to Hannah – who was barren– Grew up under Eli – who died when Ark of the Grew up under Eli – who died when Ark of the

Covenant was stolenCovenant was stolen– He anoints 2 kings – yet only sees one reignHe anoints 2 kings – yet only sees one reign– Last of the judges of IsraelLast of the judges of Israel

• Saul’s reign: (the beginning of the Monarchy)Saul’s reign: (the beginning of the Monarchy)– He was given the greatest opportunity yet he He was given the greatest opportunity yet he

was the greatest failurewas the greatest failure• 1 Sam 12:14-151 Sam 12:14-15

– The people chose Saul – he was head and The people chose Saul – he was head and shoulders above the rest (1 Sam 9:2), but God shoulders above the rest (1 Sam 9:2), but God chose Davidchose David

– Israel turned away from Theocracy (God as King) Israel turned away from Theocracy (God as King) to Monarchy (one king)to Monarchy (one king)

• David’s rise to prominenceDavid’s rise to prominence– Irony – Gods’ vision vs man’s visionIrony – Gods’ vision vs man’s vision– His kingship was:His kingship was:• Announced by Samuel (16-17)Announced by Samuel (16-17)• Acknowledged by Jonathan (18-19)Acknowledged by Jonathan (18-19)• Attacked by Saul (20-31)Attacked by Saul (20-31)

– 17 years between being anointed and being 17 years between being anointed and being crowned kingcrowned king

– Spent 11 chapters running for his lifeSpent 11 chapters running for his life• Understanding his PsalmsUnderstanding his Psalms

Samuel’s Birth – Ch. 1 Samuel’s Birth – Ch. 1

• Born to a barren mother – HannahBorn to a barren mother – Hannah– Nazarite vow - ??? Remember from JudgesNazarite vow - ??? Remember from Judges– Once Samuel was weaned, he was to be given Once Samuel was weaned, he was to be given

over to serve the Lordover to serve the Lord– Young, young age for Samuel to be separated Young, young age for Samuel to be separated

from his motherfrom his mother

Samuel’s Calling – Ch. 2-3Samuel’s Calling – Ch. 2-3

• Served under Judge/Priest EliServed under Judge/Priest Eli– Eli had two sons that were turdsEli had two sons that were turds• 1 Samuel 2:12 – Also read the heading1 Samuel 2:12 – Also read the heading

• God will rip the judgeship of Israel out of the God will rip the judgeship of Israel out of the hand’s of Eli’s familyhand’s of Eli’s family– Whom then will he raise up?Whom then will he raise up?• 1 Samuel 31 Samuel 3• ““Here I am”Here I am”• 1 Samuel 3:19-201 Samuel 3:19-20

Eli’s Fall – Ch. 4Eli’s Fall – Ch. 4

• Ch. 4 – Israel vs. the Philistines (recurring Ch. 4 – Israel vs. the Philistines (recurring villain)villain)– Eli’s son lead Israel to battle with the Ark of the Eli’s son lead Israel to battle with the Ark of the

CovenantCovenant– Routed…why?Routed…why?– Eli hears word of the defeat and capture of the Eli hears word of the defeat and capture of the

Ark and falls down deadArk and falls down dead– Israel left leaderlessIsrael left leaderless

The Ark’s Journey – Ch. 5-7The Ark’s Journey – Ch. 5-7

• Ark was a spoil of war for Ark was a spoil of war for the Philistinesthe Philistines– Taken to their capital city, Taken to their capital city,

Ashdod then moved to Gath Ashdod then moved to Gath & Ekron& Ekron

– Placed in temple with their Placed in temple with their main god, Dagonmain god, Dagon

– Philistines encountered a Philistines encountered a great plague until the Ark great plague until the Ark was returnedwas returned

Israel’s Folly – Ch. 8Israel’s Folly – Ch. 8• 1 Samuel 8:4-51 Samuel 8:4-5• Samuel’s warning – Israel Samuel’s warning – Israel

will regret the day they will regret the day they appoint a kingappoint a king

• God agrees to have God agrees to have Samuel appoint for them Samuel appoint for them a kinga king

A King is Anointed – Ch. 9-10A King is Anointed – Ch. 9-10

• Why Saul was chosen: 1 Samuel 9:2Why Saul was chosen: 1 Samuel 9:2

A Good Start – Ch. 11A Good Start – Ch. 11

• Saul, in his first act as king, defeats the Saul, in his first act as king, defeats the AmmonitesAmmonites

• Sacrifices to the Lord after his victorySacrifices to the Lord after his victory• Gains the loyalty of the Israelite peopleGains the loyalty of the Israelite people

The Beginning of Saul’s End – Ch. 13The Beginning of Saul’s End – Ch. 13

• Saul goes out to war against the PhilistinesSaul goes out to war against the Philistines– Goes without consulting SamuelGoes without consulting Samuel– Israel routedIsrael routed

• After the battle, Samuel sends word to wait After the battle, Samuel sends word to wait for him and he will intercede with God for for him and he will intercede with God for SaulSaul– Saul does not wait, makes sacrifice himselfSaul does not wait, makes sacrifice himself– 1 Samuel 13:131 Samuel 13:13

Saul’s Rejection – Ch. 15Saul’s Rejection – Ch. 15

• The Lord sends Saul out against the The Lord sends Saul out against the AmalekitesAmalekites– Samuel tells Saul to not spare anyone or Samuel tells Saul to not spare anyone or

anythinganything– Saul takes for himself the best livestock and Saul takes for himself the best livestock and

keeps the king alivekeeps the king alive– Samuel again rebukes Saul for his failuresSamuel again rebukes Saul for his failures– 1 Samuel 15:281 Samuel 15:28

A New Beginning – Ch. 16A New Beginning – Ch. 16

• Because of Saul’s repeated failings, Samuel is Because of Saul’s repeated failings, Samuel is sent to find a new king for Israelsent to find a new king for Israel– 1 Samuel 16:131 Samuel 16:13

• Once David is anointed, the spirit of God Once David is anointed, the spirit of God leaves Saul, being replaced by an evil spiritleaves Saul, being replaced by an evil spirit– Seeks out David for his musical skill to soothe the Seeks out David for his musical skill to soothe the

evil spiritevil spirit

David & Goliath – Ch. 17David & Goliath – Ch. 17

Philistine Camp Israelite Camp

Saul’s Jealousy – Ch. 18Saul’s Jealousy – Ch. 18

• After the death of Goliath, Saul fears that the After the death of Goliath, Saul fears that the Israelites will give his kingdom to DavidIsraelites will give his kingdom to David– Starts keeping David very close, even attempting Starts keeping David very close, even attempting

to murder him twiceto murder him twice– Finally, in order to incorporate David into his Finally, in order to incorporate David into his

family, to keep his kingdom intact, he marries family, to keep his kingdom intact, he marries him off to his daughter Michal.him off to his daughter Michal.

– Backfires – Michal is devoted to David and Backfires – Michal is devoted to David and Jonathan (Saul’s son) becomes BFF’s with DavidJonathan (Saul’s son) becomes BFF’s with David

David’s Exile Begins – Ch. 19-21David’s Exile Begins – Ch. 19-21

• Saul again tries to kill Saul again tries to kill David, but he is saved David, but he is saved by Jonathan twiceby Jonathan twice

• David then flees to David then flees to Ramah, the home of Ramah, the home of SamuelSamuel– This begins the years of This begins the years of

David’s exile David’s exile

Saul’s Madness – Ch. 22Saul’s Madness – Ch. 22

• David found refuge in the David found refuge in the Levite city of NobLevite city of Nob– Saul found out David was Saul found out David was

there through a spythere through a spy

• David told to leave by David told to leave by Ahimelech, priest at NobAhimelech, priest at Nob– Saul slaughters all the Saul slaughters all the

priests in Nob when they priests in Nob when they would not inform him of would not inform him of David’s locationDavid’s location

Saul’s Pursuit of David – Ch. 22-26Saul’s Pursuit of David – Ch. 22-26

• During the course of During the course of Saul’s pursuit, David Saul’s pursuit, David is given the upper is given the upper handhand– Saul takes 3,000 Saul takes 3,000

soldiers to find Davidsoldiers to find David– Find him he does, in Find him he does, in

a cavea cave– David’s response?David’s response?

Saul’s Final Transgression – Ch. 27Saul’s Final Transgression – Ch. 27• Within this time period, Within this time period,

Samuel had died, leaving Samuel had died, leaving Israel without a spiritual Israel without a spiritual leaderleader

• Again, Israel is attacked from Again, Israel is attacked from the outside, causing Saul to the outside, causing Saul to seek guidanceseek guidance

• Goes up to a medium (witch) Goes up to a medium (witch) at Endorat Endor– She divines up for him the spirit She divines up for him the spirit

of Samuelof Samuel

The Death of Saul – Ch. 31The Death of Saul – Ch. 31

• Philistines attack again, Philistines attack again, splitting Israel’s armysplitting Israel’s army– Saul was wounded by archersSaul was wounded by archers

• Fell on his own swordFell on his own sword

– Among those also killed were Among those also killed were Saul’s three sons, including Saul’s three sons, including JonathanJonathan• This leaves the throne This leaves the throne

abdicated and waiting for abdicated and waiting for David to David to ascendDavid to David to ascend

2 Samuel2 Samuel

Next Week!Next Week!