Old Testament Survey – 1 Samuel
The Scope:
1171 BC–1056 BC. Covers from the Birth of Samuel to death of Saul - (115 years)
The Author:
Samuel is believed the be the author through Chapters 24 – then the prophets Gad and Nathan are believed to have written the rest of 1 Samuel.
The Overview of 1 Samuel
The book is a transition book for the nation of Israel.
Records the passing of the Judges into the Government day of the Kings
It is a history book mixed with Biography’s
The Out Line covers
The life & death of Samuel the Prophet (1-7)
The life, anointing & death of Saul as King (8-15)
The rise and anointing of David the shepherd as King (16-31)
1 Samuel Covers mostly the Life of Saul where 2 Samuel Covers the Life of David
Main Themes
To obey is better then sacrifice
Men look on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart
The Outline of 1 Samuel:
Samuel Israel’s Last Judge: (Chpt. 1-3)
The book of 1 Samuel begins with the Birth of Samuel the prophet from the prayers of his mother Hannah.
Samuel is given to grow up in the House of Eli the priest and called By God to be a judge and Prophet in Israel.
All the day’s of Samuel as a Judge Israel was at peace.
Samuel’s Commission as a Judge (Chpt 4-7)
Samuel helps Israel defeat the Philistines at Beer-sheba and reclaimed the ark.
Saul declared King (Chpt 8-12)
Samuel’s sons are wicked and rejected by God to be judges in Israel.
Israel recognizes Samuel coming to the end of his days and cries out for a king.
God’s heart is against a king for Israel was rejecting God as their King and wanted a human rule over them like the surrounding nations.
Samuel warns Israel of its folly and the potential down falls of having a king. But they cried all the more so God granted them Saul.
Saul is Rejected By God for sin. (Chpt 13-15)
Despite Samuel’s warnings, Saul begins to become wicked and disobey God.
1st he offered sacrifice like a priest which broke the law, Samuel prophesies his rejection He did not kill all of the Amalekites and kept their spoil for himself.
The famous quote is made “ to obey is better than Sacrifice”
Then he falls on Samuel tearing his coat – he prophesies the Kingdom this day is rent from your hands.
Saul determines for the rest of his life to fight to keep this word from happening.
David anointed King by Samuel (Chpt 16-17)
God tells Samuel to quit mourning for Saul and go to Jesse’s House and anoint his son.
Samuel passes the sons before him and finds David and anoints him as future King.
David grows up in God, and Kills Goliath
David & Jonathon.
(Chpt 18-19) David finds his way to the throne through Jonathon’s covenant.
Jonathon makes supplication for David’s life before Saul
David attacked by Saul
(Chpt 20-31) Saul grows fearful and Jealous of David and pursues to Kill Him.
David flees into hiding and meets his might men.
Has the chance to Kill Saul but honors him as God’s anointed.
Saul calls for the witch at Endor to talk to Samuel – God Judges Saul in Anger
Saul gets into battle with the Philistines and Jonathon gets killed
Saul takes his own life by falling on his own sword
In David the earthly Linage of Christ Begins ( Matt 1)