1 Samuel: Samuel, Saul, David1 Samuel: Samuel, Saul, David

Why was Samuel so highly Why was Samuel so highly respectedrespected

Jer 15:1 listed on level of MosesJer 15:1 listed on level of Moses JudgeJudge PriestPriest ProphetProphet Oversaw the introduction of the kingship Oversaw the introduction of the kingship

in Israel (2x) theocracy in Israel (2x) theocracy monarchy shift monarchy shift

Did Samuel write it?Did Samuel write it? It’s about Samuel, he is dead by 1 Sam 28It’s about Samuel, he is dead by 1 Sam 28

Literary PatternLiterary Pattern Demise of old leaderDemise of old leader God’s selection of new leaderGod’s selection of new leader Victories of new leaderVictories of new leader Problems involving new leaderProblems involving new leader

Samuel CycleSamuel Cycle Demise of leader: Eli (1 Sam 1-2)Demise of leader: Eli (1 Sam 1-2) Hannah’s problem—rival, dumb husband Hannah’s problem—rival, dumb husband

(1:8)(1:8)– Hannah’s vow 1:11Hannah’s vow 1:11– Why did Eli jump on her case? (1:13f)Why did Eli jump on her case? (1:13f)

Samuel -- God listened (1:20, 28)Samuel -- God listened (1:20, 28)

Eli’s sonsEli’s sons Problems:Problems:

– Riping off meat (2:14)Riping off meat (2:14)– Messing with women (2:22)Messing with women (2:22)

Samuel contrast (2:25, 26)Samuel contrast (2:25, 26) How was Eli as a father? How was Eli as a father?

– weak man --> weak father --> bad sonsweak man --> weak father --> bad sons

Call of SamuelCall of Samuel Samuel’s night call (3:4ff)Samuel’s night call (3:4ff) Rejection of Eli 3:13; (2:29)Rejection of Eli 3:13; (2:29)

Demise of Old leader -- EliDemise of Old leader -- Eli

EphraimEphraim

Demise of Old LeaderDemise of Old Leader

Capturing the ark: 1 Sam 4-6Capturing the ark: 1 Sam 4-6 Bringing the ark out to do battle (Jos 6:6ff; Bringing the ark out to do battle (Jos 6:6ff;

1 Sam 14:18)1 Sam 14:18) Problem: God in a box mentalityProblem: God in a box mentality

– How do we suffer from this also?How do we suffer from this also? Death: Eli’s sons – Eli 4:18Death: Eli’s sons – Eli 4:18 Birth of Ichabod: 4:21Birth of Ichabod: 4:21

Philistines and the ArkPhilistines and the Ark Five Philistine cities (Ashdod, Askelon, Five Philistine cities (Ashdod, Askelon,

Gath, Gaza, Ekron)—Pentapolis Gath, Gaza, Ekron)—Pentapolis

Philistine PlainPhilistine Plain

Philistines and the ArkPhilistines and the Ark

Dagon (grain or storm god/father of Baal?) Dagon (grain or storm god/father of Baal?) 5:55:5

Plagues and returning ark (6:4f)Plagues and returning ark (6:4f) Why did the Philistines make 5 gold tumors Why did the Philistines make 5 gold tumors

& rats?& rats? Sympathetic magic –5 Philistine citiesSympathetic magic –5 Philistine cities

Samuel’s victorySamuel’s victory Defeats Philistines: Ebenezer (7:12)Defeats Philistines: Ebenezer (7:12) How can Ebenezer be named in 7:12 yet it How can Ebenezer be named in 7:12 yet it

was called that in 5:1? was called that in 5:1? – Error in the BibleError in the Bible

What is an anachronism?What is an anachronism? Samuel’s sons: 8:3 Samuel’s sons: 8:3

On fathers and sonsOn fathers and sons ++Eli (godly) ==> -sons (ungodly)Eli (godly) ==> -sons (ungodly) +Samuel (godly) ==> - sons (ungodly)+Samuel (godly) ==> - sons (ungodly) -Saul (ungodly) ==> +son (Jonathan:godly)-Saul (ungodly) ==> +son (Jonathan:godly) +David (godly) ==> +son (Solomon) and - +David (godly) ==> +son (Solomon) and -

son (Absalom)son (Absalom) What does it all mean? Each generation’s What does it all mean? Each generation’s

choicechoice

We want a kingWe want a king Was it wrong for Israel to ask for a king “like Was it wrong for Israel to ask for a king “like

the other nations”? (8:4f)the other nations”? (8:4f) No: Deut 17:14f. No: Deut 17:14f. They had priests, prophets and judges like the They had priests, prophets and judges like the

other nationsother nations Problem: rejection of God as king (8:7)Problem: rejection of God as king (8:7) Kingship warning: taxes 10%/Kingship warning: taxes 10%/ bureaucracy

/slavery 8:11-18 /slavery 8:11-18 Theocracy Theocracy Monarchy (major shift) Monarchy (major shift)

Saul chosen: Private--RamahSaul chosen: Private--Ramah Private anointing: chasing donkeys Private anointing: chasing donkeys What does 9:9 say about the date of writing of the What does 9:9 say about the date of writing of the

book of 1 Sam.?book of 1 Sam.? Focus on Saul’s appearance (9:2)Focus on Saul’s appearance (9:2) Was Saul initially humble? (9:21)Was Saul initially humble? (9:21) What’s the difference between humility and What’s the difference between humility and

insecurity?insecurity? Spirit on Saul: Did believers have Spirit in OT? Spirit on Saul: Did believers have Spirit in OT?

(10:10)—special gifts in OT; one body in NT(10:10)—special gifts in OT; one body in NT

Saul chosen: Public--MizpahSaul chosen: Public--Mizpah Hiding in the baggage (10:22f)Hiding in the baggage (10:22f) Delivers Jabesh Gilead from Ammonites Delivers Jabesh Gilead from Ammonites

(first victory) (ch. 11)(first victory) (ch. 11) 33rdrd time: Covenant renewal at Gilgal (11:14f) time: Covenant renewal at Gilgal (11:14f) Samuel’s defense and prayer (12:3, 23)Samuel’s defense and prayer (12:3, 23)

– Is it a sin not to pray for someone?Is it a sin not to pray for someone?– Responsibility of the leader to pray for his peopleResponsibility of the leader to pray for his people

1 Sam 13:1 what does it say?1 Sam 13:1 what does it say? Read: Read:

– KJV: “Saul reigned 1 year. Then he reigned 2 years”KJV: “Saul reigned 1 year. Then he reigned 2 years”

– Old NASB: “Saul was 40 yrs. old reigned 32 yrs.”Old NASB: “Saul was 40 yrs. old reigned 32 yrs.”

– NIV: “Saul was 30 yrs. old reigned 42 yrs.”NIV: “Saul was 30 yrs. old reigned 42 yrs.”

– NRSV/ESV “Saul was … yrs. old reigned …. yrs.” NRSV/ESV “Saul was … yrs. old reigned …. yrs.”

What does that suggest about the inerrancy of What does that suggest about the inerrancy of Scripture? inspiration / transmissionScripture? inspiration / transmission

What does that suggest about the transmission of What does that suggest about the transmission of Scripture?Scripture?

Saul’s mistakeSaul’s mistake Fear of Philistines at Gilgal (13:7f)Fear of Philistines at Gilgal (13:7f) Pious cover up (13:12)Pious cover up (13:12) Samuel’s rebuke (13:13) –”if” you had Samuel’s rebuke (13:13) –”if” you had Notion of possible futures; everything fixed Notion of possible futures; everything fixed

[determinism]? Contingency (if) with God[determinism]? Contingency (if) with God

Story of Jonathan Story of Jonathan The story (1 Sam 14:6f) cliff climbing faithThe story (1 Sam 14:6f) cliff climbing faith Philistines defeated—Hebrew mercenaries Philistines defeated—Hebrew mercenaries

mixed in (14:21)mixed in (14:21) Saul’s vow and severity: 14:44Saul’s vow and severity: 14:44 Irony: Irony:

– Will kill his own son (ego violated)Will kill his own son (ego violated)– Will not kill Agag at God’s order (15:8)Will not kill Agag at God’s order (15:8)– Violate Saul’s word = death; Violate Saul’s word = death; – Violate God’s word = no bigViolate God’s word = no big

God and Saul and AmalekitesGod and Saul and Amalekites What does God’s grief mean? (15:11, 35)What does God’s grief mean? (15:11, 35) Pious cover up (15:14f)Pious cover up (15:14f)

– Right motives ==> wrong actions Right motives ==> wrong actions – Long as your heart is right! Right??? NotLong as your heart is right! Right??? Not

God’s desire: (15:22-23)God’s desire: (15:22-23) God and not changing His mind (15:29)God and not changing His mind (15:29)

DavidDavid Does God concoct a lie? (16:2)Does God concoct a lie? (16:2)

– Whole truthWhole truth– Evil versus shrewdnessEvil versus shrewdness

God’s focus on the heart: 16:7God’s focus on the heart: 16:7 Spirit leaves Saul (16:13f) Did he lose his Spirit leaves Saul (16:13f) Did he lose his

salvation?salvation? Does God send evil spirits on people Does God send evil spirits on people

(16:14)(16:14)

David’s victory-GoliathDavid’s victory-Goliath

Judah-HeartlandJudah-Heartland

David’s VictoryDavid’s Victory

David’s righteous anger (17:26)David’s righteous anger (17:26) Sibling jealousy: (17:28) Sibling jealousy: (17:28)

– Attribution of wrong motivesAttribution of wrong motives On defeating giants (17:42-47)On defeating giants (17:42-47) Women’s troublesome song & Saul’s Women’s troublesome song & Saul’s

insecurity (18:7)insecurity (18:7)

Demise of Old leaderDemise of Old leader Saul’s attempts to kill DavidSaul’s attempts to kill David Michal betrothal foreskins (18:20f, 23, 25)Michal betrothal foreskins (18:20f, 23, 25) Spearing chucking (19:9, 11) Michal’s idol Spearing chucking (19:9, 11) Michal’s idol

protection (19:13)protection (19:13) Jonathan warns David: that’s what friends Jonathan warns David: that’s what friends

are for (ch. 20:9, 17, 33, 41f)are for (ch. 20:9, 17, 33, 41f)

David’s fleeingDavid’s fleeing

Judah-HeartlandJudah-Heartland

David’s fleeingDavid’s fleeing

Nob: (ch. 21) -- sword, food, priests slain; Nob: (ch. 21) -- sword, food, priests slain; Doeg the EdomiteDoeg the Edomite

Gath insanity (21:17f)—sympathetic magicGath insanity (21:17f)—sympathetic magic Keilah deliverance (ch. 23:9ff;)Keilah deliverance (ch. 23:9ff;)

– Does God know things that never happen? (cf. Does God know things that never happen? (cf. 13:13 if Saul had...)13:13 if Saul had...)

– Does God know only what is or what is Does God know only what is or what is possible? possible?

– Does that leave some room for choice, freedom Does that leave some room for choice, freedom and variation? Isa. 40:28 and variation? Isa. 40:28

Nabal and AbigailNabal and Abigail The story line and description of Abigail (1 The story line and description of Abigail (1

Sam 25:3, 10, 22)Sam 25:3, 10, 22) On role of woman and foolish men (v. 24ff)On role of woman and foolish men (v. 24ff) David goes to Philistine city of Ziklag David goes to Philistine city of Ziklag

(27:6f)—note date of statement(27:6f)—note date of statement

David’s sparing SaulDavid’s sparing Saul 1 Sam 24:3f dropping pants in cave1 Sam 24:3f dropping pants in cave 1 Sam 26:9 stealing spear while sleeping1 Sam 26:9 stealing spear while sleeping David’s respect: don’t touch the LORD’s David’s respect: don’t touch the LORD’s

anointed 24:5; 26:9anointed 24:5; 26:9

Witch of Endor & Saul’s demiseWitch of Endor & Saul’s demise Story line: Final Battle in Jezreel ValleyStory line: Final Battle in Jezreel Valley Can witches really bring people back from Can witches really bring people back from

the dead?the dead? Are dead people aware of what is going on Are dead people aware of what is going on

in this life? (28:15ff)in this life? (28:15ff) Implications—multi-generational Implications—multi-generational

reflectionsreflections