1 Samuel

The book of Samuel is actually one scroll in the Hebrew Old Testament, but it is divided into two parts in the English Bible. This first installment carries the accounts of three characters—Samuel, Saul and David—and traces the transition of Israel, in a time of social and spiritual instability, from a tribal nation into a unified kingdom.

It begins with the story of Hannah whose prayer for a son was answered by God through the birth of Samuel. In gratitude, Hannah dedicated the child to God, and her song of praise sets the tone for the rest of the book in which God worked out His purpose despite human pride and perversions, with the promise of a Messiah king who will rescue and reign over His people.

Samuel is a key figure in the book as the last judge, prophet and leader who also played a pivotal role in the rise of Saul, the first king of Israel. Samuel served the people well in recovering the ark of the covenant, returning the nation to the worship of God, and reclaiming lost territories from Israel's mortal enemy, the Philistines. Unfortunately, his sons did not measure up and so the people demanded for a king.

Saul looked promising from the start as he led the people to a few victories. His character flaws soon become apparent when he disregarded Samuel's instruction, disobeyed God, denied his mistakes and downplayed his actions with poor excuses. As a result, God rejected Saul and recommissioned Samuel to anoint young David, whose impressive debut in defeating Goliath and gaining the favor of the people, instilled a spirit of jealousy in Saul which led to his relentless pursuit and persecution of the innocent young warrior, forcing him into exile.

Saul's decline and doom is sealed after the death of Samuel. He met his demise soon after consulting a medium in a desperate bid to decipher the outcome of his last battle.

OUTLINE OF 1 SAMUEL

1. Samuel: The Last Judge (1:1-7:17)
a. First Transition: Eli to Samuel (1:1-3:21)
Hannah—Barrenness, Birth, Blessings
Eli—Father, Falter, Failure
b. Change of Leadership (4:1-7:17)
Samuel—Judge, Prophet, Leader
2. Saul: The First King (8:1-15:9)
a. Second Transition: Samuel to Saul (8:1-12:25)
Israel Rejects God | Samuel Warns Israel
Saul Rescued Gibeah from the Ammonites
Saul Anointed as King
b. Reign of King Saul (13:1-15:9)
Early Victories against the Philistines
Foolish Actions and Decisions
Incomplete Obedience
3. David: The Man of God's Choice (15:10-31:13)
a. Third Transition: Saul to David (15:10-18:9)
God Rejects Saul | God Chooses David
David and Goliath | David and Jonathan
David Praised Over Saul
b. Saul's Attempt to Rid David (18:10-20:42)
First Spear | Philistines' Foreskins
Second Spear | Michal's Escape Scheme
Samuel's Home | Jonathan's Help
c. David's Refuge and Rise (21:1-28:2)
Priest of Nob | King of Gath
Friends and Foes | Priests and Philistines
David Spared Saul | Death of Samuel
David Spared Saul Again | Saul Relented
d. Saul's Decline and Doom (28:3-31:13)
Witch of Endor | David among the Philistines
David Defeated the Amalekites
Death of Saul