I & II Samuel

I & II Samuel

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

The original readers would have been the Israelites who lived sometime after the reign of David. The beginning of the book starts right before the time of Samuel and the books close with David reigning as king. It is very likely that these books would have been written sometime after David’s reign.  1 Sam 1 tells the story of Samuel’s birth and 2 Samuel 23 records David’s last words.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

It is very likely that more than one author wrote these books. In Samuel you find sections where it appears that different segments of books were compiled together providing the readers with material that is not in chronological order (I Samuel 16:18; 17). The story of the census at the end of 2 Samuel is most likely not in chronological order seeing it comes at the end of the book and after the last words of David resembling a tag.  The author also knew a great deal about Samuel, Saul and David and was very concerned with the spiritual state of the nation and the kings. This is evident by the amount of material discussing the spiritual nature of the nation and its kings. It is most probable that the author could have been Samuel or one of his assistants.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

I & II Samuel provides its readers with an in-depth look at their first two kings, showing them what happens when a king forsakes the Lord and reveals the godly heritage that David’s descendants possess because of his devotion to the Lord.

Throughout this book you see several examples of bad family relationships.

Not only do you see Saul’s riffs with his children and despising of his wife, but you also see that David has a bad relationship with his brothers, son Absalom and fails to train his son Amnon correctly which leads to Amnon’s death. I Sam 17:28-29; 19:11-17; 20:27-34; 2 Sam 13:20-22; 14:23-32

You also see jealousy, revenge, murder and conflict over power throughout these books. I Samuel describes Saul as constantly jealous of David and trying to destroy him (1 Sam 18:6-11; 19:1,9-17; 20:24-34; 22; 24:1,2; 26:1-4;) You also have Joab killing Abner and Amasa in cold blood out of revenge and jealousy (2 Samuel 4:22-27; 20:1-13). Absalom is jealous for his father’s throne and even tries to take the throne away from his father (2 Sam 15-17).

Humility is a major theme throughout these books as well. David gives multiple examples of what humility looks like. Over and over again he refuses to take revenge or vengeance for himself but chooses to let God fight his battles. He also listens to the advice of his men and receives correction from the Lord. Over and over you find him waiting on the Lord and choosing to submit to Him in humility instead of fighting for himself (23:9-14; 24:1-7; 25:32-39; 30:1-6; 2 Sam 1:1-17; 4:5-12; 9; 12:26-31; 18:1-4).

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

I & II Samuel provided Israel with an in-depth look at their first two kings. During the time this was written the Israelites were on the verge of heading into spiritual depravity through the various evil kings that were to shortly arise. 1&2 Samuel gave them an excellent contrast revealing the consequences that befall an evil king and the blessings that come to a king who chooses to follow the Lord. Saul fails to obey the Lord resulting in the departure of God’s presence. Saul then does all he can to hold onto the throne in his own strength. You eventually see the ruin that comes to him because of his failure to obey the Lord. In contrast you see David, who is chosen to be king, over and over again refusing to fight for himself despite the fact that he is chosen to be the new king. He chooses to allow God to fight for him and faithfully follows the Lord till the very end of his reign. You see the covenant that God chooses to make with David promising him that his reign will never end. The author gives the Israelites two strong examples regarding what will befall them when they obey the Lord and what will befall them when they do not.

The author was also providing David’s line with a record of the promises that God made to their line and providing them with an example of how they should seek the Lord as their ancestor David did. It also shows the creation of the kingly line of the future Messiah.

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

These books reveal a God who fights for those who put their trust in Him. Over and over David chooses not to take revenge against those who betray or attack him and God constantly fights on His behalf. You see a God who truly delights in fighting for those whose heart is perfect towards Him (17; 25; 27; 17:14).

You also see God as a mighty Deliverer. Over and over God is constantly delivering David from his enemies and from bad situations. God delivers him from killing Nabal. He also delivers him from being put in a hard situation of having to choose between fighting against Israel and risking the wrath of the Philistines (4; 20; 25; 27).

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

You find the Davidic covenant that God makes with David in II Samuel 7. God promises David that his descendants will always be on the throne. This is made possible through the future Messiah coming through the line of David. God is setting up a kingship through which He will ultimately bring the greatest king-the Messiah (verse 13).

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

One of the biggest things that stood out to me from these books was David’s amazing humility and his ability to wait on the Lord. He never forgot that he was a “rags to riches” story. He knew that God took him from tending sheep and made him king. The fact that he never tried to fight for and take over what rightfully belonged to him amazes me. He had enough faith and trust in the Lord that God was able to come through on what he said, despite the fact that he had to wander in caves and live in a wilderness. Despite all this, he still had the faith to believe that God in His perfect time would exalt him to the place that he had called him to. But until the time that he became king he was willing to walk humbly before the Lord in the lowest places. Then, after he becomes king, he still understands that his kingship is only given him by God. It is not something that he has to hold onto. God continually fights for him as in the story of Absalom attempting to take over David’s throne. Right now, even though it may seem that I am in a wilderness, I want to be considered faithful to humbly walk before God expecting Him to be the one to work in my life. I don’t want to be like Saul and “jump the gun” on what God wants to do in my life. I want to humbly wait in patience for his timing. And when his promises do come true, I want to continually remain humble, knowing that any good thing that I receive is only a gift from Him and is a result of what He has done and now what I have done.

2.     Point of Passion-Leaders

You clearly see contrasts between godly leadership and evil leadership throughout these books. I Samuel starts out with a contrast between Eli’s wicked sons and Samuel (1 Sam 2,3). Eli’s sons were destroyed and Samuel was chosen to be a key prophet in the nation at this time. You also see Saul getting put into power and choosing to trust in his own strength instead of relying on the Lord. He was too afraid to trust the Lord with the kingdom he was given (I Sam 13). You see this in his disobedience and his attempts to kill David. In contrast you see David who is chosen to be the next leader never fighting for his position as was common for kings of that time to do. He never tries to take over what rightly belongs to him. (1 Sam 24, 26). Even after he becomes king, David still is relying on the Lord, trusting God to fight his battles for him. He is aware that his position comes from the Lord and he expects the Lord to defend that position for him (16:5-13; 16-18). You see the blessings that come upon David and his future line as a result of his obedience to the Lord (2 Sam 7). Likewise you clearly see the destruction that befalls Saul and his descendants because of his negligence in obeying the Lord (I Sam 31; 2 Sam 4, 21).