1 Samuel

1 Samuel

1 Samuel 3:19-20(NKJV)

So, Samuel grew, and the LORD Was with him and let none of his words fall to the

ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a

prophet of the LORD.

Samuel was a Judge, a Prophet, and a Priest

Author

• The author of the book of 1 Samuel is uncertain. It was probably written by Samuel and Abiathar the priest.

Date

• The book of 1 Samuel covers a period of time of about 140 years beginning with the birth of Samuel and ending with the death of Saul.
• Written between 931-722 B.C.

Theme

• God's work in the history of Israel

Purpose

• The book of 1 Samuel describes the transition from the rule of Judges to the appointment of Kings. 
• The three main characters in this book are Samuel, Saul, and David. 
• Originally 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were together as one book.

Content

• Eli the Priest & Judge/ The Birth of Samuel: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:22

• Hannah wept bitterly for a son and Eli spoke that God had granted her petition (1 Samuel 1:17). She dedicated Samuel to the work of the Lord.
• 1 Samuel 1:18(NKJV) And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
• The Corruption of Eli's sons
• 1 Samuel 3:12, 13(NKJV) In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile. and he did not restrain them. 
• The death of Eli and his sons and the capture of the Ark of Covenant
• 1 Samuel 4:19(NKJV) Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, due to be delivered; and when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth, for her labor pains came upon her.
• 1 Samuel 4:21(NKJV) Then she named the child lchabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel!" because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

• Samuel the Leader:1 Samuel 5:1-8:22

• The return of the Ark 
• 1 Samuel 6:11-12(NKJV) And they set the ark of the LORD on the cart, and the chest with the gold rats and the images of their tumors. Then the cows headed straight for the road to Beth Shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right hand or the left. And the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.

• Samuel's sone walk in disobedience
• 1 Samuel 8:1(NKJV) Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges Over Israel.
• 1 Samuel 8:3(NKJV) But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
• 1 Samuel 8:4, 5(NKJV) Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

• Saul the First King: 1 Samuel 9:1-15:35
• King after the flesh
• 1 Samuel 9:1-2(NKJV) There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
• 1 Samuel 15:1(NKJV) Samuel also said to Saul, "The LORD Sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD.

• Saul's disobedience was not killing all of the Amalekites and sparing King Agag
• 1 Samuel 15:26(NKJV) But Samuel said to Saul, will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."

• David the Second King and Saul: 1 Samuel 16:1-30:31

1 Samuel 16:7(NKJV)

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical

stature, because l have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man

looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:13(NKJV)

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and

the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went

to Ramah.

• Major Events 
• David kills Goliath 1 Samuel 17
• Saul becomes jealous of David 
• David's friendship with Jonathan (Saul's son)
• David flees from Saul

•  Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 31:1-13
• Saul's death in the battle against the Philistines
• 1 Samuel 31:6(NKJV) So, Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer. and all his men died together that same day.

• Christ in the Book of 1 Samuel
• Samuel as a type of Christ
• Both were promised children
• Samuel was a Judge, a Prophet, and a Priest compared to the fact that was Jesus is a Prophet, the High Priest, and the King
• David's kingdom of the lineage of Christ's kingdom
• David as a shepherd and Jesus as the Chief Shepherd

Return to the book of Ruth

Proceed to 2 Samuel

Old Testament Survey

Site Map