THE BOOK OF I SAMUEL
Introduction:
This book represents the personal history of Samuel, last of the Judges. It records the moral failure of the priesthood under Eli, and of the Judges in Samuel’s attempt to make the office hereditary (1 Samuel 8:1). In his prophetic office Samuel was faithful, and in him begins the line of writing prophets. Henceforth the prophet, not the priest, is conspicuous in Israel. In this book the theocracy, as exercised through judges, ends (1 Samuel 8:7), and the line of kings begins with Saul. — Scofield.
Author: Unknown, however the Jews say it was written by Samuel.
The history of the book centers around three characters:
1) Samuel, the last of the Judges.
2) Saul, the first King of Israel.
3) David, Israel’s Godly King, Acts 13:22, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
The Period, One of Transition: The rule of the Judges ends; the kingdom is established.
Leading Topics and Events:
1) The Birth and Dedication of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:1.
2) The Failure of Eli as Judge and Parent, 1 Samuel 2:12-36.
3) Samuel’s Call and remarkable Boyhood, 1 Samuel 3.
4) The Capture and Return of the Ark of the Covenant, 1 Samuel 4:1–6:21.
5) The Defeat of the Philistines through the Prayer of Samuel, 1Samuel 7.
6) The Clamor of Israel for a King, 1 Samuel 8.
7) Saul Chosen, and Anointed King, 1 Samuel 9:1-10:27.
8) Saul’s First Battle, 1 Samuel 11.
9) Samuel proclaims the Kingdom, and warns the people concerning their Presumption in demanding a King, 1 Samuel 12.
10) Saul’s Self-will, and Samuel’s Prophecy, 1 Samuel 13.
11) Jonathan’s Deliverance of Israel, 1 Samuel 14:1-16.
12) Obedience is Better than Sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:1-23.
13) David Anointed King, 1 Samuel 16:1.
14) David Slays the giant, Goliath, 1 Samuel 17.
15) The Friendship of David and Jonathan, 1 Samuel 18.
16) The Persecution of David by Saul, 1 Samuel 18:9–27:4.
17) The Last Years of Saul’s reign, and his Suicide, 1 Samuel 26:1–31:13.
Spiritual Message: Prayer is the Dominating Element in the life of Samuel.
1) Born in answer to prayer, 1 Samuel 1:10-28.
2) His name means “Asked of God,” 1 Samuel 1:20.
3) His prayer brings deliverance at Mizpah, 1 Samuel 7:2-13.
4) His prayer, when Israel insisted on having a king, 1 Samuel 8:21.
5) His unceasing prayer for his people, 1 Samuel 12:23.
Five Deviations from the Divine Law which resulted in misery:
1) Polygamy, 1 Samuel 1:1-6.
2) Parental Indulgence, 1 Samuel 2:22-25; 8:1-5.
3) Trust in Sacred Objects, 1 Samuel 4:3.
4) Impatience, 1 Samuel 13:8-9.
5) Partial Obedience, 1 Samuel 15.