Lecture Notes: 1st Samuel

Background

• 1st and 2nd Samuel: Originally one story, divided due to scroll length.
• Historical Context:
  • Post-exodus Israel made a covenant with God.
  • The period of Judges showed Israel’s failure to obey God.
  • Need for wise, faithful leaders addressed in Samuel.

Main Characters

• Samuel: Prophet and leader.
• Saul: First king of Israel.
• David: Successor to Saul, unified Israel as a kingdom.

Structure of 1st Samuel

1. Part 1: Introduction and Samuel's leadership.
2. Saul’s Story: Rise and fall of Saul.
3. David’s Story: Rise to power and subsequent challenges.
4. Epilogue: Reflection on the overall narrative.

Key Themes Introduced

• Hannah’s Story:
  • Hannah’s sorrow and the birth of Samuel.
  • Her poem (Chapter 2) highlights themes:
    • God opposes the proud, exalts the humble.
    • Despite evil, God’s purposes prevail.
    • Prophecy of an anointed king.

Samuel’s Leadership

• Samuel becomes a prophet as Philistines rise in power.
• Israelites’ arrogance leads to the Ark’s capture.
• God teaches humility by opposing pride (Philistines and Israelites).

Saul: Rise and Downfall

• Saul becomes king, initially promising but flawed:
  • Dishonesty, lack of integrity.
  • Disobedience leads to downfall.
• Samuel warns of kingly ruin without humility.
• God plans for a new king, David.

David: Rise to Power

• David and Goliath: Shows God’s selection based on faith, not status.
• Fugitive Years:
  • Despite being pursued by Saul, David trusts in God.
  • Psalms written during this period reflect his faith.

Lessons from Characters

• Saul: A warning against unchecked character flaws.
• David: Exemplifies patience and trust in God.

Conclusion

• 1st Samuel highlights how God works through history to fulfill His purposes.
• Encourages reflection on humility and trust in God’s timing.

Reflection

• The book serves as a study of character and leadership.
• Shows the impact of pride vs. humility in leadership roles.