Samuel

What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

      The original readers were the Israelites. This book gives a history of how the monarchy began in Israel. The original readers were probably reading this much later on when the had been divided into two kingdoms. As we see in the book of I and II Kings they weren't very loyal to God. They had become pagans worshiping other gods. These two books clearly distinguish between Saul (bad king) and David (good king). The author was showing the original readers what a kingdom run by a man of God could look like.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

      We don't know the actual author. We suspect it to be a combination of writings from Samuel, Nathan and Gad. I Chron 29:29 says that those three wrote accounts of King David. The book is not in chronological order which gives evidence that there was more than one author of the book.  The writings would have been combined together which is why its not in chronological order. 

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

      In I Sam 18:6-8 Saul gets jealous of the peoples praise of David and this remains a theme throughout Samuel as Saul tries to kill David. We see a contrast between this behavior of Saul and David's obedience to God. In I Sam 20:33 Saul tries to kill his own son, but David in II Sam 9:3 looks out for Jonathon's family. David's reign shows what happens when someone rules in the fear of God while Saul's reign shows what happens when someone doesn't fear the Lord. David shows kindness to his enemies and trust for God when he refuses to take vengeance himself. On a number of occasions David spares his enemies lives out of the fear of the Lord. In I Sam 26:9-11 David refuses to kill Saul when he gets the opportunity. He refuses even when Saul is trying to kill him for no reason. We see this on a number of occasions even when he is king in II Sam 16:10. Broken family is a theme and bad fathering even in the case of David with his sons and Saul with Jonathon as he tries to kill him. The battle for the throne is a huge theme, but David waits patiently on the Lord while Saul defends it in his own might.

Summary: These books are about God faithfulness to David and David's trust in God's character and nature even when everything seems like its going against him

What is the primary reason this book is written?

     The primary reason this book is written is to show God's faithfulness to the faithful (II Sam 22:26). The author makes a point to contrast the sin of Saul in his leader and the righteousness of David in his leadership. God anoints David as king, but he has to endure trials and has to wait a long time to see God's promise fulfilled. David had chances to take things into his own hands but he trusts God's ability to make him king despite enemies all around him. This book shows how God's character and nature can be trusted even when everything around us is chaos. David trusted God and God bless him. Saul was selfish and God cursed him.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      Hannah in I Sam 2:2 says, “No one is holy like the Lord!” and in 1 Sam 16:7 God says of himself that, “the LORD looks at the heart.” God's character and nature is shown throughout the book as he guides the leaders of the first monarchy in Israel. God is quick to forgive those who sin, but return to him with a repentant heart. We see this in II Sam 12:13 when Nathan confronts David for the Bathsheba incident, but tells David, “The LORD has forgiven you.” A huge part of God's character that we often have a hard time understanding is shown in I Sam 15:22. God tells Saul after Saul had disobeyed that “Obedience in better than sacrifice.” What a statement to Saul when he was trying to make up for his sin. Other things we see in these books are God takes vengeance (II Sam 22:48), God is sovereign (II Sam 7:18-29), and God seeks to bring us back to him II Sam 14:14).

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      David in these books is a type of Christ. He was born in Bethlehem just as Jesus was. We don't know much about his early life as a shepherd until he comes on the scene killing Goliath. We have only one story of Jesus as a boy. He defeated a giant with the strength of God helping defeat Isrealites enemies. Jesus died on the cross defeating Satan. Saul despised him and tried to kill him for no reason in I Sam 18:11 and in I Sam 19:10. In David's own brothers didn't like him and other members of his family as well in II Sam 19:11-12. David was a prophet of God and the King of Israel. David was victorious in his battles and was a good king over Israel. In the Davidic Covenant there is a promise of one who will come to establish rule forever in Israel in II Sam 7:27-29.

Personal Application

      I think what spoke most to me in these books is David's integrity even when everyone else around him would have understood had he done something he felt wasn't right. He spared Saul's life, but his own men told him to take it. They said look, God is giving him over to you. Still, David knew that God had appointed him king and he would wait for God to place himself as King. It's so difficult to do the small things that you know are right when everyone else around is overlooking or ignoring them. David taught me that it is possible to be bold, to stand up and fight for the things I know to be true. Even if they don't seem like a big deal at times, I know that God is honored by those small acts of obedience and everyday is a test to obey those things. David's life is a living testimony of someone who overcame and obeyed even when it was difficult.

Point of Passion: Bronx, NYC

      There are so many guys pretending to be Davids. They lead gangs, they bring terror wherever they go, and they think they are the toughest thing around. Guys think that they are brave and strong but in reality they are just fools believing a lie from the enemy. A true David fights for the weak, he is strong in his weakness, and he leaves revenge for the Lord. The character of David is not a common thing among the streets. He is someone who stands out, who is ready to be ridiculed for standing up for what he knows to be true. He stands up for righteousness and peace. He's not weak, because God is on his side and he knows it. He's brave not because of anything he has done, but because of the one who is on his side. David didn't take credit for being a great man, but understood that everything he has and everything he is is because of God. David was generous with his praise and didn't take glory for himself. A wake up call to those who think you are something. Know that all that you are is because God has given it to you.