The First Book of
SAMUEL
Author: Uncertain
Date: Between 931 and 722 B.C.
Theme: God Is Working in History
Key People: Samuel, Saul, David
Author. The author of 1 Samuel is not named in this book, but it is likely that Samuel either wrote or supplied the information for 1:1–25:1, which covers his life and ministry until his death. The authorship of the rest of 1 Samuel cannot certainly be determined, but some suppose that Abiathar the priest wrote it.
Date. Because of the references to the city of Ziklag, which “has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day” (27:6) and other references to Judah and Israel, we know that it was written after the division of the nation in 931 B.C. Also, since there is no mention of the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C., it should be dated before this event. The Book of 1 Samuel covers a period of about 140 years, beginning with the birth of Samuel at about 1150 B.C., and ending with the death of Saul at about 1010 B.C.
Content. Israel had been governed by judges whom God raised up at crucial times in the nation’s history; however, the nation had degenerated both morally and politically. It had been under the merciless onslaught of the Philistines. The temple at Shiloh had been desecrated and the priesthood is corrupt and immoral. Into this religious and political confusion steps Samuel, the miraculous son of Hannah. In a remarkable way the renewal and joy that his birth brought to his mother prefigures the same for the nation.
Samuel’s own sons do not share his godly character. The people do not have confidence in his sons’ abilities; as Samuel grows old, they press him to give them a king. Reluctantly, he does so. Saul, a handsome and charismatic man, is chosen to become Israel’s first king. His ego is as large as his stature. He impatiently steps into the office of priest, rather than wait for Samuel. After rejecting God’s commands, he is rejected by God. After this rejection Saul becomes a tragic figure, consumed with jealousy and fear, gradually losing his sanity. His final years are spent relentlessly chasing David through the wilderness backcountry of his kingdom in an effort to kill him. David, however, has found an ally in Saul’s son, Jonathan, who warns David of his father’s plots to kill him. Ultimately, when both Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle, the stage is set for David to become the second king of Israel.
Personal Application. It is clear in 1 Samuel that God is at work in history. Even the most sinful and rebellious occurrences can be used by Him to continue His divine plan. The corruption of Eli’s sons and his unwillingness to deal with them becomes the schooling environment for the child Samuel. The rejection of God and the demand for a king by Israel becomes the basis for the establishment of an earthly royal line that will bring forth the entrance of God into human history in the person of the Messiah. Finally, Saul, who had such a wonderful beginning, ends his life in tragedy and suicide. Yet, because of Saul’s insanity, David is brought from the sheepfold into the courts of the king. Saul’s senseless jealousy and enraged pursuit of David provide the backdrop against which the greatest king of Israel, the “man after God’s own heart,” comes to the throne.
But it is not only in the broad sweeps of history that God’s hand is obvious. The following lessons are also evident in 1 Samuel. God steps into the pain and misery of Hannah to give her, not only a son, but three sons and two daughters (2:21). Though men look on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart (16:7). Obedience is better than sacrifice (15:22, 23), indicating that God is concerned about men’s hearts as well as their actions. God does not spare even those in high position when they have sinned, but He is still a God of patience and forgiveness.
Christ Revealed. The similarities between Jesus and the boy Samuel are striking. Both were children of promise. Both were dedicated to God before birth. Both were the bridges of transition from one stage of the nation’s history to another. Samuel combined the offices of prophet and priest; Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King.
The tragic end of Saul illustrates the ultimate result of earthly kingdoms. The only hope is a kingdom of God on Earth, whose ruler is God Himself. In David, the earthly lineage of God’s King begins. In Christ, God comes as King and will come again as King of Kings.
David, the simple shepherd boy, prefigures Christ the Good Shepherd. Jesus becomes the ultimate Shepherd-King.
The Holy Spirit at Work. First Samuel contains remarkable instances of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the prophets, as well as upon Saul and his servants. In 10:6 the Holy Spirit comes upon Saul, who prophesies and is “turned into another man,” that is, equipped by the Spirit to fulfill God’s calling.
After David is anointed by Samuel, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (16:13).
The phenomenon of the Spirit inspiring worship occurs in chapter 10 and 19:20. This was not the emotionalized raving of the pagans, but true, Spirit-inspired worship and praise to God, not unlike what happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
Even in the several uses of the ephod and the Urim and Thummim we look forward to the time when the “Spirit of truth” will guide us into “all truth,” tell us of “things to come,” and “take of what is Mine Jesus’) and declare it to you” (John 16:13, 14).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
SAMUEL
Author: Uncertain
Date: Between 931 and 722 B.C.
Theme: God Is Working in History
Key People: Samuel, Saul, David
Author. The author of 1 Samuel is not named in this book, but it is likely that Samuel either wrote or supplied the information for 1:1–25:1, which covers his life and ministry until his death. The authorship of the rest of 1 Samuel cannot certainly be determined, but some suppose that Abiathar the priest wrote it.
Date. Because of the references to the city of Ziklag, which “has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day” (27:6) and other references to Judah and Israel, we know that it was written after the division of the nation in 931 B.C. Also, since there is no mention of the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C., it should be dated before this event. The Book of 1 Samuel covers a period of about 140 years, beginning with the birth of Samuel at about 1150 B.C., and ending with the death of Saul at about 1010 B.C.
Content. Israel had been governed by judges whom God raised up at crucial times in the nation’s history; however, the nation had degenerated both morally and politically. It had been under the merciless onslaught of the Philistines. The temple at Shiloh had been desecrated and the priesthood is corrupt and immoral. Into this religious and political confusion steps Samuel, the miraculous son of Hannah. In a remarkable way the renewal and joy that his birth brought to his mother prefigures the same for the nation.
Samuel’s own sons do not share his godly character. The people do not have confidence in his sons’ abilities; as Samuel grows old, they press him to give them a king. Reluctantly, he does so. Saul, a handsome and charismatic man, is chosen to become Israel’s first king. His ego is as large as his stature. He impatiently steps into the office of priest, rather than wait for Samuel. After rejecting God’s commands, he is rejected by God. After this rejection Saul becomes a tragic figure, consumed with jealousy and fear, gradually losing his sanity. His final years are spent relentlessly chasing David through the wilderness backcountry of his kingdom in an effort to kill him. David, however, has found an ally in Saul’s son, Jonathan, who warns David of his father’s plots to kill him. Ultimately, when both Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle, the stage is set for David to become the second king of Israel.
Personal Application. It is clear in 1 Samuel that God is at work in history. Even the most sinful and rebellious occurrences can be used by Him to continue His divine plan. The corruption of Eli’s sons and his unwillingness to deal with them becomes the schooling environment for the child Samuel. The rejection of God and the demand for a king by Israel becomes the basis for the establishment of an earthly royal line that will bring forth the entrance of God into human history in the person of the Messiah. Finally, Saul, who had such a wonderful beginning, ends his life in tragedy and suicide. Yet, because of Saul’s insanity, David is brought from the sheepfold into the courts of the king. Saul’s senseless jealousy and enraged pursuit of David provide the backdrop against which the greatest king of Israel, the “man after God’s own heart,” comes to the throne.
But it is not only in the broad sweeps of history that God’s hand is obvious. The following lessons are also evident in 1 Samuel. God steps into the pain and misery of Hannah to give her, not only a son, but three sons and two daughters (2:21). Though men look on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart (16:7). Obedience is better than sacrifice (15:22, 23), indicating that God is concerned about men’s hearts as well as their actions. God does not spare even those in high position when they have sinned, but He is still a God of patience and forgiveness.
Christ Revealed. The similarities between Jesus and the boy Samuel are striking. Both were children of promise. Both were dedicated to God before birth. Both were the bridges of transition from one stage of the nation’s history to another. Samuel combined the offices of prophet and priest; Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King.
The tragic end of Saul illustrates the ultimate result of earthly kingdoms. The only hope is a kingdom of God on Earth, whose ruler is God Himself. In David, the earthly lineage of God’s King begins. In Christ, God comes as King and will come again as King of Kings.
David, the simple shepherd boy, prefigures Christ the Good Shepherd. Jesus becomes the ultimate Shepherd-King.
The Holy Spirit at Work. First Samuel contains remarkable instances of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the prophets, as well as upon Saul and his servants. In 10:6 the Holy Spirit comes upon Saul, who prophesies and is “turned into another man,” that is, equipped by the Spirit to fulfill God’s calling.
After David is anointed by Samuel, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (16:13).
The phenomenon of the Spirit inspiring worship occurs in chapter 10 and 19:20. This was not the emotionalized raving of the pagans, but true, Spirit-inspired worship and praise to God, not unlike what happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
Even in the several uses of the ephod and the Urim and Thummim we look forward to the time when the “Spirit of truth” will guide us into “all truth,” tell us of “things to come,” and “take of what is Mine Jesus’) and declare it to you” (John 16:13, 14).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
