1. Samuel: Anointer of Kings

2. A Special Birth and Call The son of Hannah who is supposedly barren Hannah offers Samuel to God as a Nazirite  Nazirite: means “consecrated” or “separated:  someone who take a vow to follow the teachings of Numbers 6:1-21 Samuel is left in the care of Eli at the shrine at Shiloh

3. Samuel is raised with Eli’s 2 sons  Samuel is faithful to God  Eli’s sons behave sacrilegiously While sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant, Samuel hears his name called He goes to Eli but is told to go back to bed

4. Samuel is called twice more during the night Eli realizes that God is calling Samuel and tells him to respond  “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10) God warns Samuel that Eli’s family will fall Samuel becomes well know as a Prophet of God

5. The Cry for a King As a priest and judge, Samuel led the Israelites for 20 years  Led them away from false gods  Promised victory over the Philistines if they remained faithful Samuel’s sons were not meant to be judges so the people called for Samuel to “appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations” (1 Samuel 8:5) Samuel is displeased but God say that “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7)

6. Samuel is told to warn the people about what it means to have a king:  Can draft their sons as soldiers and force them to work in the fields  King will take 1/10 of their fields and grain  Basically, they will be slaves to their king The people still want a king so Samuel sets out to find one

7. Saul is Anointed Samuel meets Saul, a farm worker, who is searching for his father’s donkeys  Saul is tall and good looking Saul is anointed and presented as king, but he tries to hide at the last minute This theme is reflected in both the Old and New Testament. God chooses the lowliest and the least, not just the wealthiest and most powerful.

8. An Unsuitable King Saul quickly defeats the Ammonites in battle Samuel warns both the king and people that continued success will only happen if they remain faithful to God Saul soon disobeys God twice  Offers a sacrifice before battle, which is the priest’s role  Fails to fulfill the ban against a beaten enemy

9. Saul is shown to be weak  Ruled by his anxieties  Subject to peer pressure  Doesn’t fully trust God or follow his commands Samuel announces that Saul will be rejected by God as the king of Israel  A more faithful, constant leader will be found