I Samuel In The Old Testament
The book of I Samuel in the Old Testament of the Bible was written approximately in the year 960 B.C. The book is written in the Historical Narrative, yet the book authorship and method of composition is not specifically stated and remains anonymous. The author did however have access to the records and documents from Samuel, Nathan, and Gad to produce the book. Initially the books of I Samuel and II Samuel were one book, but they were separated by the translators of the Septuagint and have remained apart ever since. The book of I Samuel records the transition from the times of tribal judges in Israel to the establishment of a central monarchy and anointing of the first King of Israel. The story is set where the Hebrews invaded and settled in the land of Israel. Samuel is born to Hannah, a previously a barren
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woman, who dedicates him to God and then gives him to Eli, the chief priest of Israel to be raised a Nazarite. God’s laws are disobeyed by the people and judges in Israel, so God declares that he will choose a new priest to lead them and begins to communicate with Samuel as a boy.
Samuel grows up to become a prophet and is asked by the people of Israel for a King. The people believed the nation would be more prosperous and successful, if they too had a king, like the surrounding countries. Samuel displeased follows God’s instruction. “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you” I Samuel 8 7:8 (KJV). Samuel then anoints Saul as King of Israel but he and his family, including Johnathan, are not destined to inherit the crown. God instructs Samuel to anoint David, the son of Jesse, as the next king. David is exalted over Goliath and in battle against the Philistines but runs from Saul, who is fueled by jealousy, and he seeks to destroy David. Saul eventually loses his life in battle on Mt. Gilboa against the Philistines and David becomes King of
Israel. The theme of I Samuel is that God is sovereign, regardless of who is in control as ruler over Israel, all rulers answer to him.
David
David, the youngest son of Jesse, was born 1040 B.C. in Bethlehem. David was a Shepherd as a young man and did not fear the beasts that stalked and prowled for his sheep. He would protect his flock from lions and bears and would slay them.
woman, who dedicates him to God and then gives him to Eli, the chief priest of Israel to be raised a Nazarite. God’s laws are disobeyed by the people and judges in Israel, so God declares that he will choose a new priest to lead them and begins to communicate with Samuel as a boy.
Samuel grows up to become a prophet and is asked by the people of Israel for a King. The people believed the nation would be more prosperous and successful, if they too had a king, like the surrounding countries. Samuel displeased follows God’s instruction. “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you” I Samuel 8 7:8 (KJV). Samuel then anoints Saul as King of Israel but he and his family, including Johnathan, are not destined to inherit the crown. God instructs Samuel to anoint David, the son of Jesse, as the next king. David is exalted over Goliath and in battle against the Philistines but runs from Saul, who is fueled by jealousy, and he seeks to destroy David. Saul eventually loses his life in battle on Mt. Gilboa against the Philistines and David becomes King of
Israel. The theme of I Samuel is that God is sovereign, regardless of who is in control as ruler over Israel, all rulers answer to him.
David
David, the youngest son of Jesse, was born 1040 B.C. in Bethlehem. David was a Shepherd as a young man and did not fear the beasts that stalked and prowled for his sheep. He would protect his flock from lions and bears and would slay them.