The Books of Samuel

Title 1. Hebrew - laeäWmv. ‘yrEb.DI 2. Greek - bi,bloi basi,leion 3. Latin – Libri Regum

Author Anonymous The author of Samuel is anonymous, but Jewish tradition asserts that the author is the prophet Samuel. Of course, this can only be true for the first 24 chapters of I Samuel, since his death is recorded in I Samuel 25:1. However, Samuel seems to have organized a school of prophets, according to I Samuel 19:20 and it is possible that one of these prophets continued his work of chronicling the monarchy after his death.

Date of Writing If Samuel wrote the first 24 chapters of I Samuel, then those chapters were composed before his death in about 1015 BC. The rest of I and II Samuel must have been written after 970 BC, since they chronicle the entire reign of David up to his death.

Theme Israel’s Monarchy as a Reflection of God’s Authority

Purpose of Writing The histories of I and II Samuel are written to describe the transition from anarchy under the judges to order under the monarchy. It also contrasts the sinful unfaithfulness of Saul to the humble obedience and faith of David. God is the true King of Israel and of the world, and the kingship is demonstrated through the righteous reign of his chosen one: David (and ultimately, Christ).

Christ in Samuel Samuel

Christ in Samuel Samuel was Prophet 2. Priest 3. King

Samuel was a Prophet 1 Samuel 3:20 All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.

Samuel was a Priest 1 Samuel 3:1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. 1 Samuel 7:5 Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the LORD for you."

Samuel was a King 1 Samuel 7:15 Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

Christ in Samuel David

Christ in Samuel David is a picture of Christ in 4 ways: 1. His life is parallel to Christ’s 2. He fulfills the offices of Christ 3. He is a “man after God’s own heart” 4. He is the recipient of God’s covenant

Christ in Samuel David’s life is parallel to Christ’s: 1. David is from the tribe of Judah 2. David is from the town of Bethlehem 3. David is occupied as a lowly shepherd 4. David becomes the king of Israel

Christ in Samuel David fulfills the offices of Christ: 1. Prophet 2. Priest 3. King

Christ in Samuel David’s Prophetic (Messianic) Psalms: Psalm 2:7-9 I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'

Christ in Samuel David’s Prophetic (Messianic) Psalms: Psalm 22:1, My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning… I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

Christ in Samuel David’s Prophetic (Messianic) Psalms: Psalm 110:1-4 The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of Your enemies." Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

Christ in Samuel David as a “man after God’s own heart” David had a passion for the glory of God and he believed that God was pleased with him as a result and would not let him fail. This is seen in the classic story of David and Goliath, as well as in numerous other places in the David saga.

Christ in Samuel David as the recipient of God’s Covenant 2 Samuel 7:16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever. Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.

Place in the Canon Historically, Samuel describes the rise of the monarchy in Israel. Devotionally, Samuel describes for us the quintessential monarch of Israel. There is no other king like him. The books of Samuel paint a lovely portrait of the king after God’s own heart. He is an image of Christ and he is an example to us. Theologically, much that we should believe about Christ we learn about through the life of David – his humility, his shepherd’s heart, his mercy and his justice, his faithfulness, his courage, etc.