The Book of 1 Samuel

Author:

Scripture does not tell us that Samuel was the author of this book but he undoubtedly was involved in its writing. However, the book accounts the death of Samuel so he could not have been the sole author.

Setting:

Approximately 1100 - 1000 B.C.

Major Events:

Hannah, who was unable to bear children, begs God for a son with the promise that she would return him to the service of the Lord. God sends Hannah a child and Samuel is born. He is soon sent to the temple to serve under the aging priest, Eli. When Eli dies, Samuel serves as the deliverer of Israel from the fearsome enemy, the Philistines. As Samuel reaches old age, the tribal leaders of Israel ask for a king, rejecting Samuel's sons since they are sinful. Even though Samuel warns the Israelites that a king will tax them and force them into service, they still insist upon the appointment of a new king. God instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel's first ruler. Saul begins as a strong leader, but eventually starts to make bad choices. When Saul offers a sacrifice to God - a position reserved for the priests - Samuel tells Saul that he will be replaced. Saul's successor was a shepherd by the name of David. Later, with God's help, David slays the Philistine giant Goliath becoming Israel's hero. This makes the former king jealous and he threatens to kill David. David flees for his life and rejects opportunities to kill his rival saying, "I would not stretch forth my hand against the Lord's anointed" (26:23). Toward the end of 1 Samuel, Samuel dies making way for David to become the next king.

Transcendental:

The future king Saul is a donkey herder (9:5) who attempts to hide from his own coronation (10:21-22). As Israel's king, Saul breaks his own law by calling on a medium to call up the spirit of the dead (1 Samuel 28).

Take Away:

Selfish choices, such as the Israelite's request for a king and Saul's decision to offer up a sacrifice, which he had no business making, can have very tragic consequences.