This is an overview or summary of the first and second books of the Judge & Prophet Samuel, as recorded in ‘The Bible Brief’ by James Paris
When:
Around 930 B.C. Covering period of 1100-1000 B.C.
Who:
Author anonymous, though traditionally ascribed to Samuel.
People & Places:
Samuel; Hannah; Saul; David; Jonathan; Goliath; Nathan
Israel; Ephraim; Shiloh; Ashdod; Gilgal; Bethlehem; Nob; Moab; Mount Gilboa
Sound-Bites:
“For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. (Ch.1:27-28)
“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (Ch.13:14)
“..Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.” (Ch.15:22)
The Messianic Link:
Messiah exalted by God with power (1 Sam 2:10)
He would be a descendant of David (2 Sam 7:12-16)
The Rock of 2 Sam 23
Typified in the life of King David in exile (1 Sam:22)
Typified in the life of Jonathan the Faithful Friend (1 Sam 18)
The Book in Brief:
The book of Samuel begins with the events leading up to the birth of Samuel, who would later become a righteous Judge over Israel. It continues with the people asking Samuel to anoint a King over them, as Samuels sons were not as wise as he was. It was a rejection of the era of the Judges and a yearning to be like the other nations. Samuel is not happy, but God assures him that it is His leadership and not Samuel’s that the people are rejecting. (Ch.8)
Saul is appointed as King, and begins well but is soon at odds with The Lord, who displaces him with David a mere shepherd boy. (Ch.16:11-13)
The newly anointed David (not yet king) defeats Goliath in battle (Ch.17). He befriends king Saul’s son Jonathan, but incurs the jealousy of Saul himself, who is tormented by an evil spirit and pursues David relentlessly.
The book of 1 Samuel ends with king Saul defeated by his enemies; Saul summoning the dead Samuel through the offices of the witch of En-dor (Ch.28) and being informed of his coming death, and that of his sons. (Ch.28:19)
Notes & Quotes:
This book is a story of lost opportunities; Saul had everything and yet he rebelled against God, thinking that he knew better (Ch.13:13-14). Consequently he lost everything – including his life and that of his sons in battle against their enemies.
Sometimes it is all too easy to lose patience whilst waiting on The Lord, and attempt to do things in our own strength thinking that we can ‘hurry things along.’ It is always a mistake to pre-empt The Lords plans!
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2 Samuel:
When:
Around 930 B.C. Covering period of 1100-1000 B.C.
Who:
Author anonymous, though traditionally ascribed to Samuel.
People & Places:
David; Bathsheba; Uriah; Nathan; Abner; Joab; Hiram; Absalom; Tamar
Ziklag; Mount Gilboa; Hebron; Judah; Jerusalem;
Sound-Bites:
“Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” (Ch.7:16)
He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence. (Ch.22:2-3)
Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” (Ch.24:14)
The Messianic Link:
He would be a descendant of King David. (2 Sam.7:12-13)
He is the light of the morning. (2 Sam. 23:2-4)
The Book in Brief:
The story starts with David mourning Saul and his sons, then moves on to stories of conquest and victory over their enemies. However things start to go bad when King David falls for Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittites wife; and arranges for the commanders death at the battle front. God forgives him, but warns trouble will begin in his own home.
Absalom kills Amnon for raping his half-sister Tamar, and goes into exile for a time. When he returns with David’s permission; he leads a rebellion against David and sets himself up on the throne of David for a short while. Finally he is killed; against the wishes of King David.
The book ends with King David doing a census of the people against the wishes of God, and suffering the effects of a plague sent by The Lord to punish him. 70,000 people perish before the pestilence was held in check by King David offering sacrifice on a new alter on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
Notes & Quotes:
I always find it somewhat incredible that King David who was a ‘man after God’s own heart’ should fall from grace as he does. However the lesson is that there is no-one who can afford to drop their guard, when it comes to following the will of God. I often say ‘the devil is a busy man!’ but it is the simple truth. Later in the new testament (1 Peter.5:8 ) the word tells us to ‘Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’
If Godly men such as King David and later Solomon can be ‘got at’ then we must truly all be on our guard against the wiles of Satan.