I Samuel

“The acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer” ( I Chr. 29:29). “…Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD” (I Sam. 10:25).

Samuel was clearly a writer and historian but all of I Samuel could not have been based on his records, for his death is recorded in I Samuel 25. Furthermore, explanatory notes are found in several places (e.g. 9:9; 13:9). It seems reasonable to conclude that the holy inspired scripture known today as I Samuel was based on Samuel’s history with explanations and additional information supplied by other writers. Samuel’s account of the early years of David was no doubt blended in with those of Gad and Nathan. This probably explains why some segments repeat information we already know from earlier in the book; in some cases, the record of Gad or Nathan was picked up intact and added to Samuel’s accounts.

An overview

This book presents the history of Israel from before the birth of Samuel (c. 1105 BC) until the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (c. 1010 BC). Six individuals dominate the writing: Hannah, Eli, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan and David.

I Samuel is a book of suspense and excitement that constantly absorbs the reader’s attention. We can still hold our breath as David slings his stone at Goliath and as we tiptoe through Saul’s army of sleeping soldiers. Will one of Saul’s men awake and discover David and Abishai in their camp or will the courageous warriors escape unharmed (17:49; 26:5-12)? The ark of the Lord caused the Philistines much deadly destruction after they captured it. After seven months of torment, their priests and diviners proposed an unusual plan to return it to Israel. Will the milch kine they have hitched to a new cart carry the ark to Bethshemesh or will the beasts return to their calves at home (6:7-9)?

An outline

I Sam. 1-4 Birth of Samuel, judgment on Eli’s house.
5-6 The loss and recovery of the ark.
7 Samuel a judge and deliverer.
8-12 Israel gets a king.
13-15 Saul fails to obey God.
16 David is anointed by Samuel.
17 David defeats Goliath.
18-20 Saul’s jealousy of David.
21-23 David begins his exile.
24 David spares Saul’s life.
25 Samuel dies; David spares Nabal.
26 David spares Saul a second time.
27 David goes to Gath.
28 Saul visits the witch at Endor.
29 Philistine commanders expel David
30 David defeats the Amalekites.
31 Death of Saul and Jonathan.

Features of Bible history

The Bible does not record events like a humanly written history book or the evening news. The emphasis is not on the political or economic development of the nation or the success of any human. Everything is geared to instructing the servants of God in that time and through the ages. Thus, significant political accomplishments are passed over with hardly a mention but seemingly minor events are given in detail.

In addition, the events are often reported by presenting the actual words that were spoken by the participants.

Not only does this biblical method attest to the inspiration of scripture (who can remember the very words they spoke yesterday?) but it also gives the reader the opportunity to evaluate what they have just “heard.” True, the entire conversation is not recorded, but the important part is there for us to consider. This method of teaching is preferable to a second hand account of what someone is alleged to have said. The reader’s mind is activated by the interchange to consider the full implications of the first-person statements.

Good conduct and bad

I Samuel, like other biblical writings, provides a variety of lessons in both godly and ungodly conduct.

Hannah, Samuel’s mother, sets a wonderful example of earnest and devout prayer (1:10; 2:1-10). Her prayer of thanksgiving invites comparison with the remarkable expressions of other women such as Miriam, Deborah and Mary. Her actions are even more remarkable in giving up her much-desired son to live in the company of the tabernacle. Let us labor to make our prayers as vigorous as hers and our conduct as consistent with our words.

While Eli had the trappings of position, the high priest was not the equal of Hannah’s spirituality. He had a problem with his two sons and failed to curtail their iniquity. Their outrageous activities were not only detestable to God, but they also caused men to abhor the offering of the Lord (2:17). While Eli knew of their wickedness, he merely scolded their behavior (2:23-25). His inaction cost his sons their lives. Although the Proverbs recommend an antidote that many reject today (Prov. 22:15,23:13,14), it is still true that honoring our children ahead of God is a sure road to disaster. Jesus says, “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Matt. 10:37; 22:37). Raising children Eli’s way will not endear us to God or man; and in the end, they will be lost.

Saul and Jonathan

Saul’s son Jonathan was a close companion of David. His friendship is in stark contrast to the animosity shown by Saul. Moreover, Jonathan was loyal to David even though Saul taunted him that he was giving up his position to the son of Jesse.

Jonathan comes through as an outstanding person of God. His early exploits in Geba and Michmash proved he had considerable faith in God (14:9,10,31). His reaction to David’s slaying of Goliath indicates he recognized that David must surely be the one selected by God as the next king (18:4).

In sharp contrast, Saul consistently appears as a follower of the flesh. When looking for his father’s animals, he had never heard of Samuel, let alone known where he lived, even though he resided within a few miles of the prophet (9:6). He had no idea of the protocol of seeking help from a prophet (v.7) nor any idea what he would look like (vs. 18-19). Evidently Saul had grown to adulthood quite apart from the religious life in his area. When he does appear among the prophets, it is to the utter astonishment of all who hear about it (10:11).

His rejection by God seems rather quick until we realize he had been told much earlier to go to Gilgal to offer sacrifice (10:8). He never did go until his situation was desperate. Like all men of the flesh, he only turned to God as a last alternative.

As we read the characteristics of the people in this book, we have much to learn for our own lives.