OT Studies OT Studies Module IIModule II

1 Samuel 1 Samuel

English

Location of Samuel in CanonLocation of Samuel in Canon

Hebrew[Historical Books] JoshuaJoshua

JudgesJudges RuthRuth SamuelSamuel KingsKings ChroniclesChronicles Ezra/Neh/EstEzra/Neh/Est

[Former Prophets] JoshuaJoshua

JudgesJudges SamuelSamuel KingsKings

[Writings] . . . Proverbs. . . Proverbs Ruth . . .Ruth . . .

EnglishLocation of Samuel in CanonLocation of Samuel in Canon

Hebrew[Historical Books] JoshuaJoshua JudgesJudges RuthRuth SamuelSamuel KingsKings ChroniclesChronicles Ezra/Neh/EstEzra/Neh/Est

[Former Prophets] JoshuaJoshua

JudgesJudges SamuelSamuel KingsKings

[Writings] . . . Proverbs. . . Proverbs Ruth . . .Ruth . . .

• Men instead going to Shiloh because they need to steal wives (Judg 21:19ff)• Man with two wives going to Shiloh to worship; he did it year after year! (1 Sam 1:1ff)

• Men worshipping elsewhere while “House of God” is at Shiloh (Judg 18:31)

Story of 1 SamuelStory of 1 Samuel

Pentateuch (esp. Deuteronomy)

Joshua

Judges

Samuel

Story of 1 SamuelStory of 1 Samuel Deuteronomy – Great and precious promises!Deuteronomy – Great and precious promises! JoshuaJoshua

Faithfulness of God giving landFaithfulness of God giving land Faithlessness of IsraelFaithlessness of Israel Joshua’s Charge (As for me and my house…)Joshua’s Charge (As for me and my house…)

JudgesJudges 7 cycles, downward spiral7 cycles, downward spiral Dreadful Appendix, the bottomDreadful Appendix, the bottom

In those days . . . Judg 17:6 Micah’s idol, Dan migration, Gibeah’s wickedness In those days . . . Judg 21:25

Time PeriodTime Period Solomon ruled from 970 BC onwards.Solomon ruled from 970 BC onwards. David ruled for 40 years (2 Sam 5:5). David ruled for 40 years (2 Sam 5:5).

Therefore, his reign was from 1010 Therefore, his reign was from 1010 BC until 970 BC.BC until 970 BC.

Saul ruled for 40 years according to Saul ruled for 40 years according to Acts 13:21. Therefore, his reign was Acts 13:21. Therefore, his reign was from 1050 BC until 1010 BC.from 1050 BC until 1010 BC.

Samuel was born sometime before Samuel was born sometime before that, perhaps around 1100 BC.that, perhaps around 1100 BC.

Major CharactersMajor Characters SamuelSamuel

Last and greatest judgeLast and greatest judge Prophet (3:19-4:1a)Prophet (3:19-4:1a) Priest (3:1)Priest (3:1) Blameless (12:1-5)Blameless (12:1-5)

David and SaulDavid and Saul David won’t strike the Lord’s anointed; Saul David won’t strike the Lord’s anointed; Saul

will.will. David can defeat Philistines; Saul can’t.David can defeat Philistines; Saul can’t. David’s modest in stature; Saul magnificent.David’s modest in stature; Saul magnificent. David’s heart seeks God; Saul’s doesn’t.David’s heart seeks God; Saul’s doesn’t. David inquires of God through ephod; Saul David inquires of God through ephod; Saul

inquires of Samuel through medium.inquires of Samuel through medium. David turns to God in fear of people (29:6); Saul David turns to God in fear of people (29:6); Saul

turns away from God in fear of people (15:24).turns away from God in fear of people (15:24).

Major CharactersMajor Characters The PhilistinesThe Philistines

Nemesis of Israel at end of 2Nemesis of Israel at end of 2ndnd Millennium Millennium Exodus 13:17 – Reason for Israel’s detourExodus 13:17 – Reason for Israel’s detour Joshua 13:2 – People still needing to be Joshua 13:2 – People still needing to be

conqueredconquered 1 Samuel 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 1 Samuel 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18,

19, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31 – A perpetual 19, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31 – A perpetual enemy in the time of Samuelenemy in the time of Samuel

1 Samuel 13:19-22 – An unfair advantage1 Samuel 13:19-22 – An unfair advantage

StructureStructure 1 Samuel 1- 7 – Samuel as judge1 Samuel 1- 7 – Samuel as judge 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 8 – 8 – Israel Rejects GodIsrael Rejects God 1 Samuel 9-111 Samuel 9-11 – Saul becomes king– Saul becomes king 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 12 – 12 – God’s Promise of GraceGod’s Promise of Grace 1 Samuel 13-15 – Saul rejected as king1 Samuel 13-15 – Saul rejected as king 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 16 – 16 – David Chosen as kingDavid Chosen as king 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 17 – David defeats Philistines17 – David defeats Philistines 1 Samuel 18-27 – David flees from Saul1 Samuel 18-27 – David flees from Saul 1 Samuel 28-31 – Saul defeated by Philistines1 Samuel 28-31 – Saul defeated by Philistines

Major ThemesMajor Themes KingshipKingship

God is the true king over IsraelGod is the true king over Israel Israel wants to be like the other nationsIsrael wants to be like the other nations God uses kingship for His own gloryGod uses kingship for His own glory God had already foreordained kingshipGod had already foreordained kingship

Divine ReversalDivine Reversal Prophesied by Hannah (Peninnah & Hannah)Prophesied by Hannah (Peninnah & Hannah) Saul, DavidSaul, David Trend of Judges…changes with the coming Trend of Judges…changes with the coming

of Samuelof Samuel Trend of Israel…changes with the coming of Trend of Israel…changes with the coming of

King David.King David.

Purpose StatementPurpose Statement Yahweh established a human Yahweh established a human

monarchy over His theocratic nation monarchy over His theocratic nation Israel and guaranteed its future in Israel and guaranteed its future in His Covenant with David.His Covenant with David.

Notes:Notes:• As in Judges, Israel rebels as the judge passes off the scene.As in Judges, Israel rebels as the judge passes off the scene.• Here, their rebellion is not disciplined by another nation but Here, their rebellion is not disciplined by another nation but rather by God (in anger, cf. Hosea 13:11) granting their rather by God (in anger, cf. Hosea 13:11) granting their request! (cf. Rom 1)request! (cf. Rom 1)• As with Joseph, God uses the evil intent of the Israelites to As with Joseph, God uses the evil intent of the Israelites to work His own purposes which He had already foreordained (cf. work His own purposes which He had already foreordained (cf. 1 Sam 2 et. al.).1 Sam 2 et. al.).

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 13:11 Samuel 13:1

[Literal] “Saul was one year old when he began to [Literal] “Saul was one year old when he began to reign, and he ruled over Israel two years”reign, and he ruled over Israel two years”

Acts 13:21 – And then they asked for a king, and Acts 13:21 – And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

[NAS] Saul was [NAS] Saul was forty forty years old when he began to years old when he began to reign, and he reigned reign, and he reigned thirtythirty-two years over Israel.-two years over Israel.

[NAU] Saul was [NAU] Saul was thirty thirty years old when he began to years old when he began to reign, and he reigned reign, and he reigned forty forty two years over Israel.two years over Israel.

[ESV] Saul was ... years old when he began to [ESV] Saul was ... years old when he began to reign, and he reigned ... and two years over Israel.reign, and he reigned ... and two years over Israel.

[KJV] Saul reigned one year; and when he had [KJV] Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,reigned two years over Israel,

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 13:1 (cont.)1 Samuel 13:1 (cont.)

““In an effort to remain congruent with In an effort to remain congruent with the Hebrew text, a targum stated, ‘Like the Hebrew text, a targum stated, ‘Like a one-year-old who has no sins was Saul a one-year-old who has no sins was Saul when he became king’ (Bergen, when he became king’ (Bergen, 1 1 SamuelSamuel, NAC), NAC)

““Especially in light of Acts 13:21, it is Especially in light of Acts 13:21, it is best to regard the extant Hebrew text as best to regard the extant Hebrew text as corrupted at this point and avoid corrupted at this point and avoid speculation regarding Saul’s age at the speculation regarding Saul’s age at the time of his ascension to Israel’s throne” time of his ascension to Israel’s throne” (Bergen, (Bergen, 1 Samuel1 Samuel, NAC)., NAC).

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 16:2-31 Samuel 16:2-3

““Samuel recognizes the ominous nature Samuel recognizes the ominous nature of the venture (v. 2a). It is hazardous to of the venture (v. 2a). It is hazardous to anoint a king when there already is a anoint a king when there already is a king! There is no vacancy in the office. king! There is no vacancy in the office. Samuel by now is surely identified as a Samuel by now is surely identified as a traitorous enemy of Saul, and he knows traitorous enemy of Saul, and he knows any overture toward a new king is high any overture toward a new king is high risk. Yahweh does not blink at Samuel’s risk. Yahweh does not blink at Samuel’s fear but instructs him precisely on how to fear but instructs him precisely on how to skirt the problem. Samuel is to say that skirt the problem. Samuel is to say that he is on a mission to offer a sacrifice (vv. he is on a mission to offer a sacrifice (vv. 2b-3).2b-3).

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 16:2-3 (cont.)1 Samuel 16:2-3 (cont.)

This may not be a blatant lie authorized by This may not be a blatant lie authorized by Yahweh, for Samuel does take an animal for Yahweh, for Samuel does take an animal for the occasion, but this is clearly an the occasion, but this is clearly an authorized deception. Yahweh will lie, if authorized deception. Yahweh will lie, if necessary, in order to move the kingship necessary, in order to move the kingship toward David. We have read in 15:21 that toward David. We have read in 15:21 that the God of Israel will not ‘lie’. Here Yahweh the God of Israel will not ‘lie’. Here Yahweh is very close to falsehood for the sake of is very close to falsehood for the sake of David.” David.”

Walter Brueggemann, Walter Brueggemann, First and Second SamuelFirst and Second Samuel, Interpretation , Interpretation

(Louisville, Ky.: John Knox Press, 1990), 121.(Louisville, Ky.: John Knox Press, 1990), 121.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 16:2-3 (cont.)1 Samuel 16:2-3 (cont.)

““[T]he Lord gave Samuel an additional [T]he Lord gave Samuel an additional task that would help mask the central task that would help mask the central purpose of his trip to Bethlehem” purpose of his trip to Bethlehem” (Bergen, (Bergen, 1 Samuel1 Samuel, NAC), NAC)

See W. C. Kaiser, Jr., See W. C. Kaiser, Jr., Toward Old Toward Old Testament EthicsTestament Ethics (Grand Rapids: (Grand Rapids: Academie, 1983), 225–27.Academie, 1983), 225–27.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 28:8ff1 Samuel 28:8ff

““Questions naturally arise at this point: Questions naturally arise at this point: Did the medium actually make contact Did the medium actually make contact with a living spirit-being, and if so, was it with a living spirit-being, and if so, was it really the prophet Samuel?really the prophet Samuel? While this While this matter is not likely to be settled to matter is not likely to be settled to everyone’s satisfaction, the following everyone’s satisfaction, the following observations can be made.observations can be made.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)

First, the plain statement of the Hebrew First, the plain statement of the Hebrew text is that she did in fact see Samuel. text is that she did in fact see Samuel. Second, the medium reacted to Second, the medium reacted to Samuel’s appearance as though it was a Samuel’s appearance as though it was a genuine—and terrifying—experience: genuine—and terrifying—experience: she ‘cried out at the top of her voice.’ she ‘cried out at the top of her voice.’ Her strong reaction also suggests that Her strong reaction also suggests that Samuel’s appearance was unexpected; Samuel’s appearance was unexpected; perhaps this was the first time she had perhaps this was the first time she had ever actually succeeded in contacting ever actually succeeded in contacting the dead.the dead.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)

Third, the speeches attributed to Samuel Third, the speeches attributed to Samuel contained allusions to a prior contained allusions to a prior interchange between the two, allusions interchange between the two, allusions that would have been appropriate only that would have been appropriate only for the real Samuel to have made. for the real Samuel to have made. Fourth, Samuel’s role and message as a Fourth, Samuel’s role and message as a prophet, so much a part of his ministry prophet, so much a part of his ministry in life, was unchanged in his encounter in life, was unchanged in his encounter with Saul here.with Saul here.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)

Indeed, a straightforward reading of the Indeed, a straightforward reading of the biblical account suggests the possibility biblical account suggests the possibility that mediums may possess the capacity that mediums may possess the capacity to contact dead persons and establish to contact dead persons and establish lines of communication between the lines of communication between the living and the dead. This view is not living and the dead. This view is not explicitly rejected elsewhere in explicitly rejected elsewhere in Scripture; the Torah prohibits Scripture; the Torah prohibits necromancy not because it is a hoax but necromancy not because it is a hoax but because it promotes reliance on because it promotes reliance on supernatural guidance from some supernatural guidance from some source other than the Lord.source other than the Lord.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues 1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)1 Samuel 28:8ff (cont.)

An alternative reading of this passage An alternative reading of this passage suggests that it was not the skill of the suggests that it was not the skill of the medium but rather a unique act of God medium but rather a unique act of God that brought Saul into contact with that brought Saul into contact with Samuel. The medium did not possess Samuel. The medium did not possess the capacity to disturb a dead saint; but the capacity to disturb a dead saint; but God, as “a sign of his grace,”God, as “a sign of his grace,” permitted permitted Saul to have one last encounter with the Saul to have one last encounter with the prophet who had played such a prophet who had played such a determinative role in the king’s career.”determinative role in the king’s career.”

(Bergen, (Bergen, 1 Samuel1 Samuel, , NAC)NAC)

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