First and Second Samuel

“Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” 1 Samuel 8:5 (NLT)

The Old Testament books of First and Second Samuel tell about the beginning of the monarchy (kingship) in Israel. The authors of First and Second Samuel are unknown. However, 1 Samuel 10:25 reveals the prophet Samuel wrote portions of First Samuel and 1 Chronicles 29:29 indicates that the prophets Nathan and Gad also wrote about the events recorded in First and Second Samuel. First and Second Samuel are named after the prophet Samuel. In the Hebrew Bible, First Samuel and Second Samuel form a single book.

First and Second Samuel describe events of about 115 years and play a pivotal role in the Holy Bible for both historical and theological reasons. Historically, First and Second Samuel document the transition as the ancient Israelites moved from being a collection of 12 tribes with no national government to being a unified nation with a centralized government under the control of a king. First Samuel focuses on three main characters: Samuel, Saul, and David and Second Samuel centers exclusively on King David. Samuel was the last of the judges (1 Samuel 7:15-17; Acts 13:20) and the first of a new line of prophets after Moses (1 Samuel 3:19-20). Saul was Israel’s first king and God filled Saul with His Spirit (1 Samuel 9:15-17; 1 Samuel 10:1, 9-11), but Saul was later rejected by God due his disobedience and sins before God (e.g. see 1 Samuel 15:10, 22-23; 1 Samuel 16:1). Saul’s successor was David, God’s choice for king (1 Samuel 16:12-14; see also Acts 13:21-22). After Saul’s rebellion and disobedience, God’s Spirit transferred from Saul to David (1 Samuel 16:14). Moreover, these two Old Testament books record the moral failure of the priesthood under Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25).

Leading up to the time of First and Second Samuel, God ruled His people through judges. Ideally, these judges spoke messages given to them by God, thereby making Israel a theocracy – ruled by God. However, most of the judges failed faithfully to speak and obey God’s Word. Eventually, Israel asked for a king, in part because the pagan nations around them all had kings and they wanted to be just like those nations (1 Samuel 8:4-5). Samuel, who served faithfully as a judge, felt rejected by the people, but God explained that Israel did not reject his leadership. Rather, the ancient Israelites rejected God as the true King (1 Samuel 8:7-9). Despite Israel’s rejection, God continued to work in His peoples’ lives. God is always in control!

Several Old Testament books predicted the rise of a kingship in Israel (e.g., see Genesis 17:16; Genesis 35:11; Genesis 36:31; Numbers 24:7, 17; Deuteronomy 17:14-20), particularly from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10). First and Second Samuel lay the foundation for Jesus the Messiah, the ultimate descendant of David and everlasting King (Matthew 2:2). God promised David that He would establish the Kingdom of one of David's descendants (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The New Testament identified Jesus as the Son of God (2 Samuel 7:14; Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35) and the promised descendant of David (see Matthew 1:20; Matthew 21:9) who brought the Kingdom of God to humanity (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20; Hebrews 1:8).

Further, First and Second Samuel provide examples that obedience to God brings blessings, while disobedience brings divine judgment. Sadly, divine disaster came to Eli and Saul because of their sins, but blessings came to Samuel and David as they faithfully followed God. Even more, the life of David further demonstrates the sobering truth that God judges sin and disobedience. David committed the acts of murder and adultery with Uriah and Bathsheba that lead to great consequences. While God is patient and merciful and answers the prayers of His people, He is also holy and just and punishes sin.

References

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).