Samuel (yes!)

Samuel Homework

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The books of Samuel, originally one book, were written for the people of Israel as they were under the reign of Solomon. Through Samuel, the people would be comparing these three kings. They would see Saul who was very prideful in his reign and would tend to make decisions impulsively (1 Sam 13:11-12), David who ruled through his heart for the Lord (1 Sam 30: 7-10), and Solomon who was wise and thought logically. 

Likewise, many of the readers at this time would likely have believed in what is now called the Davidic Defense. This is the mindset that David’s line and family have the right to the throne, given by God. The people would then most likely be looking forward towards the time when the promises of David’s line would be fulfilled, both physically and eternally. It is promised to David, his children, and a kingdom to come (2 Sam 7:12-16). Many of them would have perhaps even read the story of Ruth and seen the righteousness and heart for God that seemingly runs through the line of Judah. 

We must also understand that within these times, there is an increase in technology which changes the face of warfare. With Iron being so abundant in the land and stronger than bronze, armies began to grown. It created a time of opportunity for Israel to increase their land, especially through the reign of David. 

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

There are thought to be multiple authors throughout Samuel. They were most likely prophets at the time, possibly Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. We see a focus on the heart and spiritual life behind each king. The book of Samuel was not written primarily to show political history, but to show the heart of the leaders and people (1 Sam 13:13-14). Each author seemed to have a desire to portray the difference between a righteous king and one that follows his own whims. Likewise, they were choosing to show the importance of seeking the heart of God for the kingdom. 

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

The fear of the Lord is perhaps the most prominent idea throughout the book of Samuel. We see it even in the very beginning of the book through Hannah’s silent prayer (1 Sam. 1:9-12), Samuel’s righteousness in an environment of depravity (1 Sam 2: 25-26), and a lack of fear as the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 5). Likewise, by studying Saul and David, it’s apparent that every decision, whether good or bad, is done through either a fear of the Lord or without it. Looking at these two kings, although both sinful and full of mistakes, we can find so much insight into what it looks like to have a true fear of the Lord. 

By asking for a king, the people were in a very dangerous place. Yes, a righteous and God fearing King may lead the people well, but it is also unlikely that a line of kings would continue to follow the Lord within every generation. In fact, Saul begin with a fear of the Lord, but through the pressure of leadership, he stopped looking to God to lead ( 1 Sam 15:24-15). We see him lose sight of the Lord when he doesn’t wait for Samuel to sacrifice before war ( 1 Sam 13:11-12), as well as when he let King Agog of the Amalekites live against God’s command (1 Sam 15:7-11). Saul began to look at his reign through the eyes of kingship, not through the eyes of God as their leader. So God replaced him. This shook Saul so much that his jealously, pride and fear began to over take him and he lashed out at his successor (1 Sam 18:28).

Instead of Saul, God appointed David who truly trusted in the Lord throughout his rule. David was a man that lived every second of his life with the awareness that God is powerful, God is good, and He is for them (1 Sam 17:36-37). David ruled his people with a deep love for them that ultimately stemmed from a love for the Lord (2 Sam 9:9-10). He even fought for his people, battle by battle, according to the Lord’s command (1 Sam 30:7-8). Every opportunity to attack or pursue enemies was first inquired of the Lord, trusting in God’s ability more than his own. David didn’t simply serve the Lord out of his role as king, he sought God in every area of his life, and therefore, his kingship. He trusted in God’s promises, not stepping out and forcing his place upon the thrown by killing Saul when the opportunity arose. Instead, he waits upon the Lord for His promises to be fulfilled and trusts in the Lord saying “He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power.” (1 Sam 24). He knew it was by God’s hand alone, never by his own, that Israel may prosper.

The book of Samuel is showing the people where they stood in their desire for a King and reminding them who they are to honor and fear through this change, using the lives of Saul and David as an example. 

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?

Samuel was written as a history for the people. The author wanted them to see the life of David and what it looks like to have a king who fears the Lord. This was a golden age for the people. God was fighting for them in battle, especially in this specific time of history where expansion of the nations was so prominent. They had a great opportunity for their land. The original reader, being within the reign of Solomon, have a choice presented to them on the edge of destruction or provision. The book of Samuel was given as a reminder to fear the Lord. Trust him and you will be blessed, but turn away and you will be cursed. This was a crucial moment for the people of Israel. 

5. What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

We see clearly through the book of Samuel that God looks at the heart of his people, not the ritual. Samuel says these exact words to Saul when he did not wait to sacrifice. “Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” (1 Sam 15:22) In the same way, by David eating the bread of the sacrificing, He knows that God is seeing the heart, not the details (1 Sam 21: 1-6). Through Samuel, we get to see into God’s own heart behind his law. It is not by the sacrifices and rituals that his people are considered righteous. It is through a heart of worship.  

Yet in the same way, we see his sovereignty. He’s so holy that even the idols of the Philistines are forced to bow before the Ark when it’s stolen (1 Sam 5). Uzzah, just by touching the Ark is struck dead (2 Sam 6:6-7). And we hear David cry out “ How great you are O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you!” (2 Samuel 7:22) after defeating Saul and the many enemies before him. Even in an intimate relationship such as David has with the Lord, he remembers above all else that the Lord Almighty is sovereign. 

David proclaims and lives his life with the truth that God is good. Even through the death of his sons ( 2 Sam 12:22-23), through the promises given (2 Sam 5:7-16), and through the sin in David’s life ( 2 Sam 11-12), God shows himself as good. He delights in the heart of his servant and therefore longs to bless him. He is so good! 

6. What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Throughout Samuel, we see God’s covenant with his people being honored personally. David, even through seeking God’s heart, is a sinner. He made mistakes. Yet God is faithful to his promise. David is in constant need of redemption and the Lord is quick to respond. So instead of seeing God’s big picture for redemption, we get glimpse into his heat for this redemption. It is done on a very personal and intimate way. 

In the same way, we see David’s family line established and a promise made to raise up his offspring and make the kingdom strong. (2 Samuel 7: 5-16) It is through the line of David and into these promises that Jesus comes. He is the ultimate redemption that has been promised. 

7. Personal Application

I absolutely love David. In fact, I wish we had a lot more time to study him, it’s hard to pick simply one thing that spoke to me through reading Samuel.

The truth that sunk the deepest into my heart is also possibly my greatest struggle at the moment. When Dan started sharing about how he lets his sin outshine his belief that God desires to give us good things, it immediately struck a nerve. I tend to come down on myself pretty hard in my head. Whether in leadership roles, or even in my marriage, it’s hard for me to believe that God would give me anything good when I fail so much. When I don’t depend on him. When I try to hide. 

But David knew who he was in God above all else. Even in the humiliation of being reprimanded about his sin with Bathsheeba, David repented, rose from his sins, and stood tall. He knew his identity. Yes he was a sinner through and through, but he was also anointed by God to lead his people. And even if he didn’t feel worthy, even if he didn’t seem up to the task, he had faith in knowing that the Lord was sovereign, forgiving, and above all, He was good. 

This is what I pray to stand on. Much like David, I want to be humbled enough to know what I don’t deserve, and humbles even more to be able to accept it graciously and walk in it daily. This is my prayer. 

8. Point of Passion 

Yes, David was king over all of Israel and there is a lot more pressure in that than in raising a family. But by looking at the two kings of Israel in Samuel, we gain insight into how to be the head of a family. Saul, although beginning with a heart for God lost sight of this passion. Instead he focused solely on himself and his jealously. Pride crept into the scene and he could not let go of this. Because of this, the whole nation suffered under his rule. With David however, his great rule did not come from himself. There was no magic step by step guide, no sermon to teach him the best ways of discipline. David sought after the Lord above all else and it turned him into the greatest king Israel has ever known. 

As parents, we cannot focus on ourselves, selfish needs, or even our children. Our sights need to be focused on the Lord alone and through this, we can let him disciple our children. It is a fear of the Lord that must be center of a family. Without it, it will crumble.