Samuel

1.       First Impressions

·         What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?

The original readers of Samuel would have been living in the time of the division of the kingdom. 10 of the tribes were under the rule of Jeroboam and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were ruled by Rehoboam.

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

The author of Samuel is unknown however Jewish tradition attributes the book to Samuel. It is said that Samuel wrote 1 Samuel 1-24 with the prophets Nathan and Gad finishing the rest of the book, we can see reference of this in 1 Chronicles 29:29 as well. The book is written in the form of stories; we can see that the author knows some of David’s songs (2 Samuel 22).  We see in 1 Samuel 10:25 that Samuel did write down the duties of the king. It is quite possible that an anonymous person compiled the books of Samuel 1&2 from the records of Samuel Nathan and Gad at a later time.

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

In Samuel we see the transition from Eli to Samuel and how he prepares the foundations of the kingdom; Saul tried to establish it but failed; and David succeeded in establishing it. God continues to be the true king of Israel and the earthly king is responsible to Him as His representative on earth. The success or failure of the earthly king depended upon his relationship with the Lord.  In class we discussed some of the following themes seen in Samuel: God raises up and tears down (1 Samuel 13:14 & 2 Samuel 7:12), His invisible hand is at work in our lives, we see the comparison between the fear of God and the fear of man as well as repentance and the lack thereof. I think one of the main themes is relationship, we see this between the prophets and Kings as God passes leadership from Eli to Samuel to Saul to David. We see the importance of relationship with God as well as with the nation. 1 Samuel 2:30 says,” I will honour those who honour me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.”  This passage shows the importance of the fear of God in our relationship with Him as well as the fact that God’s way is not necessarily our way but His way is right. Time and time again the people didn't obey and they suffered accordingly for their disobedience. I think Samuel can be summed up by saying, the transition from Theocracy to Monarchy beginning with the lives of Saul and David as first kings.

·         What is the primary reason this book was written?

Samuel shows God’s relationship with Saul and David as the first kings through this time when Israel is moving from being a Theocracy in the time of the Judges to being a Monarchy. It traces history which would be important as well as showing the consequences of both faithfulness and disobedience. It records the establishment of the Kingdom and the Davidic Covenant.  It shows to the original readers the rejection of God by their ancestors asking for a king (1 Samuel 8:7) and reminds them of this very important idea that “God will honour those who honour Him, and despise those who think lightly of Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

2.       Theme Tracing

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

There is so much about God’s nature and character in Samuel! One of the things that stood out to me is the fact that the Lord gives Israel what they ask for, even though it is not His best for them. God saves and rescues those who are faithful to Him; we see this throughout David’s life as he is rescued from his enemies. God is not reliant on man for anything and we see this in 2 Samuel 7:5-7. God is just and keeps His word, we see this with Absalom sleeping with David’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:22)and with the way the man died when He touched God’s holy ark in 2 Samuel 6:6-7.

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

Throughout Samuel we see God’s redemptive plan in the way He draws his people back to himself. When they reject Him and want a king He says the following to Samuel: “Do everything they say to you…for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer” (1 Samuel 8:7). God allows them a king but He continues to use the kingship to try and draw Israel back to Him.

Throughout the life of David and the establishing of His kingship there are many comparisons between him and Jesus coming to establish His kingdom. The references below are about similarities between David and Jesus as discussed in class, 1 Sam 16:1/Matt 2:1; 1 Sam 17/Luke 2:41-52 & 2 Sam 5:4/ Luke 3:23.

We also see a bit of God’s redemptive plan in 2nd Samuel 14:14,”All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from Him.” 

3.       Application questions

·         Personal application:

There is a lot which I have been able to take from Samuel for my own life this week.  The fear of God which is so clearly seen in David’s life and the lack thereof in Saul’s was a needed reminder for me of how important it is to fear God. Then also I loved seeing the amazing trust and patience David has to wait upon God. He allows God to work in His life on God’s terms and not on his own. When he has the chance to murder Saul, he doesn’t and he waits for God to raise him up as King. I think so often I try taking things into my own hands and having the patience to wait for that which I cannot see. I loved what Bill said about this,” How well we wait can often determined how long we wait.” I have never before been able to make sense of the balance between waiting on God, faith in God and taking action by ourselves. This teaching has got my mind racing on this and has clarified it a lot more. Some of the key questions and statements our speakers made this week really challenged me. Things like Can you trust God and proclaim, the LORD did it in all areas of your life? How does God produce a heart of David...? He gives you a Saul.

The last thing which definitely stood out to me is the fact that God didn’t warn David about Bathsheba. Often in hard times and times of trial I feel as though God is silent and I don’t know why! A teacher is silent during the test! This was needed revelation for me and is definitely something I will remember.

·         Point of Passion:

One of the main things which I learnt from Bill’s message regarding education had to do with this idea that in the world and most education systems we need to achieve and achieve well, before we can receive. However in Samuel we see that it is not the same with God. He equips us and we receive from Him before we have achieved anything then we have what we need to do what He has called us to do.