1. The Book of Samuel
Samuel- Saul

2. The Book of Samuel
The two Books of Samuel were originally one book in Hebrew
First Samuel deals with the transition from the period of the judges to that of the monarchy.
Second Samuel opens up with David.
Israel greatest King

3. A promised child Samuel origins Eli His mother, Hannah, was barren
She prayed to God for a child. If God grants her request, the child will be a Nazarite
Samuel is conceived
Samuel means “asked of God”
Since he was a boy, he was taken to Eli to live with him and become a servant of God
Eli
Is the priest in charge
He raises Samuel to be God’s servant

4. The last Judge
Since Samuel is young, God called him to be God’s judge for the Israelites
1 Samuel 3:1-21 narrates Samuel’s call by God
While sleeping in the sanctuary God calls him “Samuel, Samuel” a total of 4 times until Eli instructs Samuel to say “Speak, for your servant is listening”
God tells him that he will rule the people
He became the last judge
He is also known as anointer of Kings

5. The Ark
1 Samuel also narrates how God punished the Philistines after they took away the Ark from the Israelites
With tumors

6. A king During this time, the Israelites (the 12 tribes) are not united
and morally and spiritually things are going down.
Because of the division, the Israelites were easily conquered by other tribes.
The Israelites felt the need of having someone to unite them, a king.
The other tribes had kings
The Israelites believed that having a king would bring union to the tribes
Samuel prayed to God for an answer
God will give them a king
Warning: a king will oppress them
The Israelites did not care

7. Saul
God guided Samuel to travel among the Israelites to find a king for them
Saul was chosen to be the first king

8. Saul: the 1st King of Israel
Textbook reading
The lowliest and the least
An Unsuitable King
Another choice for king