The Books of First and Second Samuel were considered one book in the early Hebrew manuscripts. Later in 300-200 B.C. when the Hebrew text was being translated into a version called the Septuagint (LXX) which was a Greek translation completed via 70 Jewish scholars in Alexandria, Egypt, the book was divided into two books. This occurred because the texts were substantially longer in the Greek language. (Hebrew has no vowels and only 22 consonants. The vowels of words are implied. However, the Greek language uses vowels. Thus translating the Hebrew texts into Greek yielded longer texts and required the longer books of the Old Testament to be divided into two books to fit onto papyrus scrolls.) The division of the book into two sections was followed by the Latin Vulgate, English translations and modern Hebrew transcripts. (*Please note, since First and Second Samuel were originally written as one book, I will refer to First and Second Samuel as simply the Book of Samuel.)
The Book of Samuel highlights a very important time in Israel’s history. It bridges the gap between lawless, tribal Israel and a united Israel led by godly King David. The main characters of the book are Samuel, Saul and David. Samuel is the last and greatest judge in Israel. He was also a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20) and a priest (1 Samuel 9:12-13). In his later years, Samuel served as adviser to Israel’s first king, Saul. Samuel also anointed David to be king. First Samuel details Samuel's great contribution to Israel’s history. It also outlines the rise (and fall) of King Saul and also highlights the early years of Israel’s greatest king, David.
The Book of Samuel spans about 135 years. It starts with the birth of Samuel in 1105 B.C. (1 Samuel chapter 1) and ends with the final words of David around 971 B.C. (2 Samuel 23:1-7). Prior to and during the first part of the Book of Samuel, Judges ruled the land. In fact, the last judges to rule over Israel (Samson, Jephthah, Ibaz, Elon and Abdon) judged Israel from 1118-1070 B.C., which occurred during Samuel's lifetime. (Samuel was born in 1105 B.C. and died around 1024 B.C.)
In most Bibles, the Book of Judges precedes the Book of First Samuel. In order to fully appreciate the chaotic overtones of Israel at the beginning of First Samuel, it is best to read the Book of Judges first. During the time of the Judges, the land of Israel was very fragmented. God raised up leaders to overcome oppression of Israel’s enemies. After a triumphal victory by the judge, the land would have rest from the enemy for several years, until the judge died, and the people turned once again from God back to their idolatry. Israel was in chaos. Each tribe was separated from each other; there was no general sense of unity or central government. This was the prevailing theme: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25) Unfortunately, “everyone doing what was right in his own eyes” meant that no one was following after God. No one was following God’s commandments, and no one was seeking true justice.
Chapter One
The Book of Samuel starts with the introduction of a man named Elkanah and his two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Penninah had children while Hannah was barren. Grief-stricken and heart-broken, Hannah brings her petition before the LORD. Hannah vows that if she is allowed to have a child, she will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. After being falsely accused of being drunk by the Eli the priest. Eli blesses Hannah and assures her that God will grant her petition. A while later, God allows Hannah to conceive. Hannah gives birth to a boy called Samuel. When the child is weaned, Hannah brings Samuel to the tabernacle at Shiloh to allow him to serve the LORD as long as he lives.
Favorite verse: "As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said, 'How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.' But Hannah replied, 'No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.'" (1 Samuel 1:13-16)
Chapter Two
The chapter starts with one of the most beautiful songs of thanksgiving in all the Bible. For ten verses, Hannah exults the LORD and bestows upon Him abundant praises. In the New Testament, Mary, the mother of Jesus, also has a stunningly beautiful song of praise (Luke 1:46-55). It is an interesting study to compare Hannah's and Mary's exultations. It seems Mary was well versed in the Scriptures and seems to have borrowed many of the same ideas and themes from Hannah's prayer.
Next, we are introduced to Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. As lawlessness was quite prevalent during the time of the Judges, the corruption seems to have continued with Eli's two sons. They violated Torah over and over again by having inappropriate relations with women at the entrance to the tabernacle. They also took the meat sacrifices before the fat was burned off. Thus, the sons of Eli caused the people of Israel to sin against the LORD. For Eli's lack of discipline to this sons, a man of God visits Eli and pronounces judgment upon Eli and his sons.
We are also told that Samuel continues to minister before the LORD. Hannah, for her faithfulness, conceives and bears five more children. This is a nice touch of irony. Hannah's name in Hebrew means grace. The number five in the Bible represents God's grace. So Hannah giving birth to five children represents the grace she showed and the meaning of her name.
Favorite verse: "He [Eli] said to them [his sons], 'Why do you do such things, the evil things that I hear from all the people? No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear from the LORD'S people circulating. If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?'" (1 Samuel 2:23-24)
Chapter Three
Chapter three tells about Samuel's call to duty. Three times the LORD calls Samuel; however, Samuel does not recognize God's voice. Despite serving in the tabernacle, Samuel had not been introduced to God. When Samuel receives instructions from Eli on how to answer the LORD, the LORD tells Samuel about the judgment He has pronounced against the house of Eli. Samuel is faced with his first trial--having to tell Eli the horrible prophecy against his family. As much as Samuel does not want to say anything to Eli, Samuel does pass his first test when Eli demands to know what the LORD said to Samuel. The LORD again appears in Shiloh at the tabernacle, and He uses Samuel to reveal His words to the people.
Favorite verse: "Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for Your servant is listening.'"
Chapter Four
This is perhaps one of the saddest chapters in all the Bible. The Philistines are warring against Israel. The folks of Israel believe they can force God to fight for them if they take the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle. Hophni and Phinehas escort the Ark of the Covenant into battle. However, what no one understands is that you cannot make God do anything. Moreover, God does not reside in the Ark of the Covenant. He is too immense to be contained. Instead of calling on God and asking for His guidance, the people rely on their own ways. Ultimately, Hophni and Phinehas die, the Israelites are greatly defeated, and the Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines. When word of this massive disaster reach the ears of Eli, he falls backwards, breaks his neck and dies.
Lastly, Phinehas's wife was pregnant. When she heard the horrible news, she went into labor. She gave birth to a son. She named him Ichabod, which means without glory, because "she said, 'The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken.'" (1 Samuel 4:22) (Favorite verse)
Chapter Five
After such a sorrowful chapter four, chapter five is one of great comedy. The Philistines have captured the Ark of the Covenant, and they also believe they have captured the God of Israel. Unfortunately for them, the God of Israel can never be contained. When the Philistines place the Ark of the Covenant inside their temple to their god Dagon, Dagon is found one morning on the ground with his head and hands cut off. Next, the LORD smites the city of Ashdod with plagues and with tumors. The Philistines send the Ark to other Philistine cities. In each place the Ark travels, God sends great destruction on the land.
Favorite Verse: "Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again. But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day." (1 Samuel 5:2-5)
Chapter Six
After the Ark of God was in the land of Philistia for seven months, the Philistines decide to return it back to the Israelites to avoid any more plagues and tumors. The Philistines make golden tumors and mice as offerings to the LORD. They prepare a new cart to carry the Ark and their offerings, and hitch two milk cows to the cart. The priests of Philistia proclaim if the cows head on a straight path to Israel, the plagues and destruction were from God. But if the cows wander and stray, the plagues and destruction were coincidences. The milk cows are hitched up, and they take the straight way to a nearby Isreali city, Beth-shemesh.
The Israelites are joyous to see the Ark. They offer burnt offerings and sacrifices to the LORD. Unfortunately, during their great celebration, no one regards Torah. Some of the men of Beth-shemesh look into the Ark of the Covenant and are struck dead. Beth-shemesh send messengers to another Israeli city, Kiriath-jearim, asking them to take the Ark of the Covenant.
Favorite verse: "'Take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away the it may go. Watch, if it goes up by the way of is own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.'" (1 Samuel 6:8-9)
Chapter Seven
After a brief hiatus, Samuel arrives back on the scene. Samuel tells the people to put away their foreign gods and return with their whole hearts back to God. Samuel assembles the people at Mizpah. In the valley below, the Philistines gather to slay the Israelites. The people of God cry out to Samuel. Samuel takes a young lamb for a burnt offering and cries out to the LORD. The LORD answers by sending great thunder upon the Philistines. This causes a lot of confusion among the Philistines so that they were routed before Israel. The men of Israel go out to fight the Philistines and have a triumphal victory. Israel recovers some of its cities which were previously taken by the Philistines. Samuel continues to judge Israel for all the days of his life and has his home in the city of Ramah.
Favorite verse: "Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, 'If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.'" (1 Samuel 7:3)
Chapter Eight
Despite God delivering Israel from the hands of the Egyptians and the Philistines, Israel now demands a king. Although Samuel has two sons, Joel and Abijah, they are not godly men and break many of the laws of Torah. Samuel is heart-broken that Israel no longer wants to trust God as their king but wants a fleshly man to rule over them. God reassures Samuel that the people are not rejecting him but are rejecting God. God then gives Samuel a message to the people telling them that if they have a king, the king will take away the best of their produce, the best of their sons and daughters and the best of their servants. The people of Israel will become the king's servants. Despite this dreadful promise, the people still insist on a king. The people then depart and go home.
Favorite verse: "Then the LORD said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day--in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.'" (1 Samuel 8:7-8)
Chapter Nine
This chapter marks an important event--it is the first time we meet Israel's first king, King Saul. We are introduced to Saul when he is a young man. Saul's father's donkeys are lost, and Saul and his servant are beckoned to search for the lost livestock. Saul and his servant embark on a long journey, searching far and wide for the lost donkeys. Finally, when they are about to return home, they find themselves near the city of Ramah. Saul's servant insists they seek out the man of God, Samuel, to inquire about their journey.
The day before Saul's arrival, Samuel receives word from God that the man who shall be Israel's first ruler will come visit Samuel. When Samuel sees Saul, God gives Samuel confirmation that Saul is to be Israel's first king. Samuel invites Saul and his servant to the sacrifice. Saul receives the chief seat at the table and also the choice piece of meat from the sacrifice. Saul and his servant stay the night with Samuel.
Favorite verse: "Saul replied, 'Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?'" (1 Samuel 9:21)
Chapter Ten
Samuel tells Saul he will be the king of Israel and anoints Saul by pouring oil on his head. Samuel tells Saul various events which will occur when he journeys home. Just as Samuel says, there are several events which occur on Saul's return home. Saul arrives home safely.
Samuell calls together the people of Israel to Mizpah. Samuel informs the people that today they will find out who the king of Israel will be. By drawing lots, it is revealed that Saul will be Israel's first king. However, Saul hides himself among the baggage to avoid being found. God reveals to the people where Saul is hiding. Saul is proclaimed Israel's first king.
Favorite verse: "Thereafter Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah; and he said to the sons of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you." But you have today rejected your God, who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses; yet you have said, "No, but set a king over us!" Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by you tribes and by your clans.'" (1 Samuel 10:17-19)
Chapter One
The Book of Samuel starts with the introduction of a man named Elkanah and his two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Penninah had children while Hannah was barren. Grief-stricken and heart-broken, Hannah brings her petition before the LORD. Hannah vows that if she is allowed to have a child, she will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. After being falsely accused of being drunk by the Eli the priest. Eli blesses Hannah and assures her that God will grant her petition. A while later, God allows Hannah to conceive. Hannah gives birth to a boy called Samuel. When the child is weaned, Hannah brings Samuel to the tabernacle at Shiloh to allow him to serve the LORD as long as he lives.
Favorite verse: "As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said, 'How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.' But Hannah replied, 'No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.'" (1 Samuel 1:13-16)
Chapter Two
The chapter starts with one of the most beautiful songs of thanksgiving in all the Bible. For ten verses, Hannah exults the LORD and bestows upon Him abundant praises. In the New Testament, Mary, the mother of Jesus, also has a stunningly beautiful song of praise (Luke 1:46-55). It is an interesting study to compare Hannah's and Mary's exultations. It seems Mary was well versed in the Scriptures and seems to have borrowed many of the same ideas and themes from Hannah's prayer.
Next, we are introduced to Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. As lawlessness was quite prevalent during the time of the Judges, the corruption seems to have continued with Eli's two sons. They violated Torah over and over again by having inappropriate relations with women at the entrance to the tabernacle. They also took the meat sacrifices before the fat was burned off. Thus, the sons of Eli caused the people of Israel to sin against the LORD. For Eli's lack of discipline to this sons, a man of God visits Eli and pronounces judgment upon Eli and his sons.
We are also told that Samuel continues to minister before the LORD. Hannah, for her faithfulness, conceives and bears five more children. This is a nice touch of irony. Hannah's name in Hebrew means grace. The number five in the Bible represents God's grace. So Hannah giving birth to five children represents the grace she showed and the meaning of her name.
Favorite verse: "He [Eli] said to them [his sons], 'Why do you do such things, the evil things that I hear from all the people? No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear from the LORD'S people circulating. If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?'" (1 Samuel 2:23-24)
Chapter Three
Chapter three tells about Samuel's call to duty. Three times the LORD calls Samuel; however, Samuel does not recognize God's voice. Despite serving in the tabernacle, Samuel had not been introduced to God. When Samuel receives instructions from Eli on how to answer the LORD, the LORD tells Samuel about the judgment He has pronounced against the house of Eli. Samuel is faced with his first trial--having to tell Eli the horrible prophecy against his family. As much as Samuel does not want to say anything to Eli, Samuel does pass his first test when Eli demands to know what the LORD said to Samuel. The LORD again appears in Shiloh at the tabernacle, and He uses Samuel to reveal His words to the people.
Favorite verse: "Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for Your servant is listening.'"
Chapter Four
This is perhaps one of the saddest chapters in all the Bible. The Philistines are warring against Israel. The folks of Israel believe they can force God to fight for them if they take the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle. Hophni and Phinehas escort the Ark of the Covenant into battle. However, what no one understands is that you cannot make God do anything. Moreover, God does not reside in the Ark of the Covenant. He is too immense to be contained. Instead of calling on God and asking for His guidance, the people rely on their own ways. Ultimately, Hophni and Phinehas die, the Israelites are greatly defeated, and the Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines. When word of this massive disaster reach the ears of Eli, he falls backwards, breaks his neck and dies.
Lastly, Phinehas's wife was pregnant. When she heard the horrible news, she went into labor. She gave birth to a son. She named him Ichabod, which means without glory, because "she said, 'The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken.'" (1 Samuel 4:22) (Favorite verse)
Chapter Five
After such a sorrowful chapter four, chapter five is one of great comedy. The Philistines have captured the Ark of the Covenant, and they also believe they have captured the God of Israel. Unfortunately for them, the God of Israel can never be contained. When the Philistines place the Ark of the Covenant inside their temple to their god Dagon, Dagon is found one morning on the ground with his head and hands cut off. Next, the LORD smites the city of Ashdod with plagues and with tumors. The Philistines send the Ark to other Philistine cities. In each place the Ark travels, God sends great destruction on the land.
Favorite Verse: "Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again. But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day." (1 Samuel 5:2-5)
Chapter Six
After the Ark of God was in the land of Philistia for seven months, the Philistines decide to return it back to the Israelites to avoid any more plagues and tumors. The Philistines make golden tumors and mice as offerings to the LORD. They prepare a new cart to carry the Ark and their offerings, and hitch two milk cows to the cart. The priests of Philistia proclaim if the cows head on a straight path to Israel, the plagues and destruction were from God. But if the cows wander and stray, the plagues and destruction were coincidences. The milk cows are hitched up, and they take the straight way to a nearby Isreali city, Beth-shemesh.
The Israelites are joyous to see the Ark. They offer burnt offerings and sacrifices to the LORD. Unfortunately, during their great celebration, no one regards Torah. Some of the men of Beth-shemesh look into the Ark of the Covenant and are struck dead. Beth-shemesh send messengers to another Israeli city, Kiriath-jearim, asking them to take the Ark of the Covenant.
Favorite verse: "'Take the ark of the LORD and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away the it may go. Watch, if it goes up by the way of is own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.'" (1 Samuel 6:8-9)
Chapter Seven
After a brief hiatus, Samuel arrives back on the scene. Samuel tells the people to put away their foreign gods and return with their whole hearts back to God. Samuel assembles the people at Mizpah. In the valley below, the Philistines gather to slay the Israelites. The people of God cry out to Samuel. Samuel takes a young lamb for a burnt offering and cries out to the LORD. The LORD answers by sending great thunder upon the Philistines. This causes a lot of confusion among the Philistines so that they were routed before Israel. The men of Israel go out to fight the Philistines and have a triumphal victory. Israel recovers some of its cities which were previously taken by the Philistines. Samuel continues to judge Israel for all the days of his life and has his home in the city of Ramah.
Favorite verse: "Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, 'If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.'" (1 Samuel 7:3)
Chapter Eight
Despite God delivering Israel from the hands of the Egyptians and the Philistines, Israel now demands a king. Although Samuel has two sons, Joel and Abijah, they are not godly men and break many of the laws of Torah. Samuel is heart-broken that Israel no longer wants to trust God as their king but wants a fleshly man to rule over them. God reassures Samuel that the people are not rejecting him but are rejecting God. God then gives Samuel a message to the people telling them that if they have a king, the king will take away the best of their produce, the best of their sons and daughters and the best of their servants. The people of Israel will become the king's servants. Despite this dreadful promise, the people still insist on a king. The people then depart and go home.
Favorite verse: "Then the LORD said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day--in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.'" (1 Samuel 8:7-8)
Chapter Nine
This chapter marks an important event--it is the first time we meet Israel's first king, King Saul. We are introduced to Saul when he is a young man. Saul's father's donkeys are lost, and Saul and his servant are beckoned to search for the lost livestock. Saul and his servant embark on a long journey, searching far and wide for the lost donkeys. Finally, when they are about to return home, they find themselves near the city of Ramah. Saul's servant insists they seek out the man of God, Samuel, to inquire about their journey.
The day before Saul's arrival, Samuel receives word from God that the man who shall be Israel's first ruler will come visit Samuel. When Samuel sees Saul, God gives Samuel confirmation that Saul is to be Israel's first king. Samuel invites Saul and his servant to the sacrifice. Saul receives the chief seat at the table and also the choice piece of meat from the sacrifice. Saul and his servant stay the night with Samuel.
Favorite verse: "Saul replied, 'Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?'" (1 Samuel 9:21)
Chapter Ten
Samuel tells Saul he will be the king of Israel and anoints Saul by pouring oil on his head. Samuel tells Saul various events which will occur when he journeys home. Just as Samuel says, there are several events which occur on Saul's return home. Saul arrives home safely.
Samuell calls together the people of Israel to Mizpah. Samuel informs the people that today they will find out who the king of Israel will be. By drawing lots, it is revealed that Saul will be Israel's first king. However, Saul hides himself among the baggage to avoid being found. God reveals to the people where Saul is hiding. Saul is proclaimed Israel's first king.
Favorite verse: "Thereafter Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah; and he said to the sons of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you." But you have today rejected your God, who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses; yet you have said, "No, but set a king over us!" Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by you tribes and by your clans.'" (1 Samuel 10:17-19)
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