1 Samuel: Samuel, Saul, David

Background Samuel is last judge of Israel and serves as transition to Monarchy 1st and 2nd Samuel were originally 1 book but broken into two in 400 AD during the translation into Greek (Septuagint) Originally began with Hannah’s song (1 Sam. 2:1-11) and ended with David’s Song of Praise (2 Sam. 22)/David’s Last words (2 Sam. 23:1-7) Author is unknown but must have had access to records of Samuel, Saul and David. Sometime after the divided monarchy (931 B.C.) but before the fall of Samaria (722/21 B.C.). Symmetry of the entire document is uncanny and purposeful. Almost cyclical as apostasy in judges

Outline I. Birth and Rule of Samuel (1 Sam. 1--7) II. Saul’s Reign, Failure, and Rejection by God (1 Sam. 8--15) III. David in Saul’s Court (1 Sam. 16--20) IV. David as a Political Fugitive (1 Sam. 21--31) V. David as King over Israel and His Kindness to Saul’s Family (2 Sam. 1-- 8) VI. David’s Failure and its Dreadful Consequences (2 Sam. 9--20) VII. David’s Final Years and Solomon’s Accession (2 Sam. 21--1 Kings 2)

Samuel Cycle Demise of leader: Eli (1 Sam 1-2) Hannah’s problem—rival, dumb husband (1:8) Hannah’s vow 1:11 Why did Eli jump on her case? (1:13f) Samuel -- God listened (1:20, 28) What does Samuel mean? “Name of God” or “God has heard” Another song from a woman in Ch. 2:1-11 God is Rock

Eli’s sons Hophni and Phineas Problems: Riping off meat (2:14) Messing with women (2:22) Tried to warn sons but was not harsh enough Samuel contrast (2:25, 26) How was Eli as a father? weak man --> weak father --> bad sons

Call of Samuel Samuel’s night call (3:4ff) Rule of threes? Samuel’s sobering info to pass along (3:12-13) Eli’s response (3:18) “…let Him do what he seems good to Him” Labeled a prophet

Demise of Old Leader Capturing the ark: 1 Sam 4-6 Lost 4,000 against Philistines and called for ark Brought the ark and shouted How did Philistines receive this message? (4:6-10) Problem: God in a box mentality How could be negative at times? Death: Eli’s sons  A heavy fall Eli 4:18 Birth of Ichabod: 4:21 The Glory of the Lord has departed

Philistines and the Ark Five Philistine cities (Ashdod, Askelon, Gath, Gaza, Ekron)— Pentapolis Ashdod- Dagon (fertility, half fish, half man/father of Baal?) 5:5 Falling on face with arms off Tumors (bubonic plague?) Not ready to return yet Gath Great confusion and tumors Ekron More tumors despite the fear Message had gotten around Devised a plan to return Guilt offering (golden mice and tumors?) Still able recall Egypt’s hardened hearts (6:6) How will they send it away? What is the purpose of this sending off? (6:7-9)

Samuel’s victory Samuel’s calling (7:3) What 3 things do the Israelites have to do in order to be delivered? Has Yahweh's criteria changed? How did Israelites respond (7:4-6) God shows up to help Israel despite their fear of Philistines Another stone as a memorial: Ebenezer (Type Scene)

On Fathers and Sons +Eli (godly) ==> -sons (not obedient) +Samuel (godly) ==> - sons (not obedient) (8:3) -Saul (ungodly) ==> +son (obedient) +David (godly) ==> +son (obedient: Solomon) and - son (no obedient: Absalom) What does it all mean?

We Want a King Was it wrong for Israel to ask for a king “like the other nations”? (8:4f) How does God see this? (8:7) An ominous start with lots of foreshadowing Kingship warning: taxes 10%/ bureaucracy /slavery 8:11-18 Theocracy --> Monarchy (major shift)

Saul Chosen: Private Private anointing: chasing donkeys Focus on Saul’s appearance. Why? Has appearance ever been mentioned before? (9:2) Whose appearance also is emphasized in the Samuels? http://claudemariottini.com/2012/03/02/the-beautiful- people-of-the-bible/ Was Saul initially humble? (9:21) But I am just a Benjamite? Spirit on Saul and began to prophesy (10:10) Helped his campaign quite a bit What does this tell us about Yahweh’s hand in it all despite being rejected?

Saul chosen: Public Anointed and specific instructions of how he will be greeted (10:1-8) Umim and Thumim used. Why? (10:20) https://carm.org/what-casting-lots Hiding in the baggage (10:22) Delivers Jabesh Gilead from Ammonites (first victory) (ch. 11) Rallies 330,000 troops with a broken yoke. What did this symbolize? 3rd time: Covenant renewal at Gilgal (11:14f) Samuel’s defense Covering his basis and foreshadowing defects of a king

Saul’s mistake Begins to rule at 30? 1 year? 2 years? 10 years? 40 years? Translation differences. Fear of Philistines at Gilgal (13:7f) Improper sacrifice (13:9) Pious cover up (13:12) Samuel’s rebuke (13:13) –”if” you had 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But nowyour kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince[b] over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” Foreshadowing of David (13:14)

Story of Jonathan Takes matters into his own hands while father is relaxing under a ‘pomegranate tree’ (14:2) Faith but also very courageous and hungry for battle: ‘perhaps’ (1 Sam. 14:6f) Puts stipulations in place just in case (1 Sam. 14:9-14) What do this stipulations tell us about Jonathan? Good or bad? Testing or pursuing? Struck fear in Philistines by this little skirmish (1 Sam. 14:15) Saul is still busy twiddling his thumbs: “Withdraw your hand” (1 Sam. 14:19) Great confusion again (1 Sam. 14:20) Philistines defeated—Hebrew mercenaries mixed in (14:21) Saul’s last resort altar and God’s silence (14:37) Saul plays the Jephthah card but this time people intervene (1 Sam. 14: 40-45) Honey, the nectar that tempted all emotional men Irony: Willing to kill own son but not King Agag in future chapters?

God and Saul and Amalekites Agag and livestock spared What does this tell us about Yahweh?(15:11, 35) Regrettable? (nacham to be sorry, Made a monument for himself after victory (15:12) Pious cover up yet again (15:14-21) Right motives ==> wrong actions Long as your heart is right! Right??? Not God’s desire: (15:22-23) God does not make vows he cannot keep (15:29) But shouldn’t he reward a repentant heart? Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.”  Samuel gets to work

David Does God concoct a lie? (16:2) God’s focus on the heart: 16:7 Isn’t this the whole pious excuse Saul got in trouble for? God’s focus on the heart: 16:7 Spirit leaves Saul (16:13f) Does God really send evil spirits on people (16:14)? The new king (David) ironically is needed to expel evil spirit when it arises

David’s Victory Arrives to bring food to brothers but sees the fear 40 days of calling out Israel David’s righteous anger (17:26) “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Sibling jealousy: (17:28) Attribution of wrong motives “Lions, tigers and bears…no match” (17:34-37) No need for armor  faith (17:38-40) …but I better take 5 stones  lack of faith? On defeating giants (17:42-47) Women’s troublesome song & Saul’s insecurity (18:7) Kept a close eye…in other words tried to murder him many times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rpOKdxBdg

Demise of Old leader Saul’s attempts to kill David the same way David will kill Uriah (Irony alert) Michal betrothal foreskins (18:20f, 23, 25) Spearing chucking (19:9, 11) Michal’s idol protection (19:13) Jonathan warns David: that’s what friends are for (ch. 18:3f; 20:9, 17, 33, 41f)

Judah-Heartland

David’s fleeing Nob: (ch. 21) -- sword, food, 85 priests slain; Doeg the Edomite (ch. 22) Suspecting a conspiracy so begins slaughtering anyone who is attached Keilah deliverance (ch. 23:9ff;) Does God know things that never happen? (cf. 13:13 if Saul had...) ephod: Urim/Thumim

Nabal and Abigail The story line and description of Abigail (1 Sam 25:3, 10, 22) On role of woman and foolish men (v. 24ff) David goes to Philistine city of Ziklag (27:6f)—note date of statement

David’s sparing Saul 1 Sam 24:3f dropping pants in cave and cutting robe 1 Sam 26:9 stealing spear while sleeping David’s respect: don’t touch the LORD’s anointed 24:5; 26:9

Witch of Endor & Saul’s demise Story line: Final Battle in Jezreel Valley Can witches really bring people back from the dead? Are dead people aware of what is going on in this life? (28:15ff)

Overview David’s rise to the throne (ch 1-5:4) Laments Jonathan and Saul Made king of Judah War with Israel Becomes king over all Israel Glorious early years (ch 5-10) Sin marred latter years (ch 11-24)

II. The early years (5-10) Conquers Jerusalem Brings ark to Jerusalem Joyfully danced before the Lord Michal angry he wore an ephod & didn’t act “regal” Wants to build a temple for the ark God promises to establish David’s house instead: I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body … He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son.” (7:12-14) This promises that Christ will be the Son of David Defeats: Philistia, Moab, Aram, Edom, Ammon

IIIa. Adultery and Murder (ch 11) Started with seemingly small sins Took a break from fighting with the army Sleeping too much Lead to adultery Idleness exposes us to temptation Lead to murder Bathsheba became pregnant Failed to deceive Uriah that he is the father Uriah’s refusal to go home contrasts with David: The ark and Israel and Judah are staying tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? Orders that Uriah be sent to death in battle Marries Bathsheba

IIIb. The consequences of sin (ch 12-20) Nathan rebukes David Nathan said, “You are the man.” (2 Sam. 12:7) David proclaims “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Sam. 12:13) God forgives David Why was he forgiven? Wasn’t his sin worse than Saul’s? He sincerely repented. See Psalm 51 Despite being forgiven, sin still has consequences: Bathsheba’s child dies Amnon rapes his half sister Absalom kills Amnon Absalom rebels against his father and is killed Sheba rebels Cause of division of his kingdom after king Solomon

IIIc. Final reflections (ch 22-24) David’s song of praise (ch 22) Also known as Psalm 18 David’s last words (ch 23:1-7) David’s mighty men (ch 23:8-39) David counts the fighting men (ch 24)

THE LIVES OF DAVID & SAUL KING SAUL MAN’S KIND OF KING (1SAM 10;23-24) A MAN AFTER PEOPLE’S PRAISE (1 SAM 18:6-8) SAUL’S KINGSHIP WAS REJECTED(1 SAM 15:23) SAUL WAS CRUEL (1 SAM 20:30-34) WHEN CONFRONTED, HE LIED (1 SAM 15:10-31) FEARFUL SEPARATED FROM GOD KING DAVID GOD’S KIND OF KING (2SAM 7:8-16) A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART (ACTS 13:22) DAVID’S KINGSHIP WAS ETERNAL (2SAM 7:29) KIND AND BENEVOLENT (2SAM 9) DAVID REPENTED (2SAM 12:13, 24:10) COURAGEOUS PEACE WITH GOD

Absalom Was handsome and charismatic like his father, David Avenged his sister’s rape by killing his half brother Loved by David Plotted against his father to take away the throne Consistently listened to the wrong advice The sins of parents are often repeated and amplified in their children Caused David to cry at his death, “O my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you” (2 Sam. 18:33)

The Book of Samuel Review Serves as transition from Theocracy to Monarchy Large emphasis on physical appearance to heighten the theme of God looking at the heart David is depicted in a sinful light in comparatively to the other historical books Yahweh depicted in a less controlling way. Giving Israel what they ask for and reap the repercussions.