1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Samuel


What do you see in this book that tells you of the original reader? First and Second Samuel is believed to be written sometime after the reign of King Solomon when the nation of Israel was split between the 10 northern tribes, called "Israel," and the two southern tribes, referred to as "Judah" around 925 BC.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author? It is probable that Samuel wrote the first part of 1 Samuel and that Nathan and Gad the rest. All kept records as is stated in I Chronicles 29:29 "All the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer." Many think the prophet Gad was most likely the author because he was close to David and was familiar with his Psalms.

What are the main themes, repeated ideas, and "main idea?" Because Israel rejected God has King for an earthly king, the Lord is in the picture much less than He was under the judges. More and more the free will of the people are determining the outcome for the nation and this, basically, is the main idea. Repeated ideas and themes are God raising up and tearing down leadership according to the level of obedience. Fear of man and fear of God, humility and presumption, are also themes and ideas in which draw many contrasts between Saul and David.

What is the primary reason this book was written? To show the readers that kings will fail without God’s intervention. Hopefully the accounts of both Saul and David would have been both instructive and encouraging especially at the time the split of the Kingdom was taking place.

What does the book show about the character and nature of God? God weighs all He has said and all He has done in accordance with His covenant. People are evaluated by the law recorded in these books and their character is weighed against the covenant. God is true. And He is gracious in the face of disappointment and failure. So much is seen of God’s character through David who continually seeks God and readily admits dismal failure. 2 Samuel 12:13.

　

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind? Never again was Israel ruled by Judges, and the kings that followed were often as unstable as King Saul. Samuel is considered a type of Christ in that he was a prophet, priest, and judge. Many of the Psalms show foreshadowings of the future Messiah, but I didn’t see anything specifically in 1 & 2 Samuel.

Personal application: I believe that from the garden to David, there was not a man who trusted God, loved God, or communicated with God, like the man David. He sounds so much like a man who is living the New Covenant before its time . . . This is why King David so appeals to me. He had a revelation of God so rare in his time when the Spirit of God did not yet live in man, but only revealed Himself to man at certain times. So when I see David’s failures and successes, I have such hope. The man after God’s own heart is not perfect. But he is absolutely true to God in his humanity. He accepts all the blessings and all the chastening. He understands the heart of God. Everything David had with God is what I want: "One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4.

Point of Passion: The portion of Psalm 27 above best describes the prerequisites for an intercessor. Desire for the Lord, a seeking heart, to live in the presence of the Lord, beholding His attributes, and to know His heart. These name my greatest desires . .