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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadVernon McGee Thru The Bible: 09 - 1 SAMUEL
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I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. (Hos_13:11)
The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel give us the origin of the kingdom. The two Books of Samuel were classified as one in the Jewish canon. They are the first two of four Books of Kings in the Latin Vulgate.
WRITER: The name of Samuel is identified with these two historical books, not because he was the writer primarily, but because his story occurs first and is so prominent. He anointed as king both Saul and David. Samuel is considered the author up to 1 Samuel 25 (his death). Nathan and Gad completed the writing (1Ch_29:29 ASV).
FEATURES:
1. The rise of the kingdom.
2. The story of Hannah.
3. The story of little Samuel.
4. The story of David and Goliath.
5. The friendship of David and Jonathan.
6. King Saul’s visit to witch of Endor.
7. God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7.
8. David’s great sin — Bathsheba.
9. David’s rebellious son — Absalom.
THEME:
Prayer — 1 Samuel opens with prayer; 2 Samuel closes with prayer.
Kingdom — The change of the government from a theocracy to a kingdom; God’s covenant with David.
Prophet — The rise of the office of prophet, who became the messenger of God in place of the priest.
KEY VERSE: 1Sa_10:25
COMMENT:
There is a striking contrast between the characters in the Book of Judges and those in the two Books of Samuel. The men in Judges seem to be ordinary and average, while here the characters are outstanding and above the average. There are 6 who stand out in 1 Samuel. They are Hannah, Eli, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David. First Samuel is a transitional book from the era of the judges to the kingdom. The kingdom foreshadows the coming millennial kingdom in some respects. There are certain profound global lessons for us in the setting up of the kingdom. The world needs:
1. A king with power who exercises his power righteously;
2. A king who will be in full dependence upon God and who can be trusted with power; and
3. A king who is in full obedience to God.
CHAPTERS AND VERSES WORTH REMEMBERING:
1Sa_15:22 — Samuel’s word about obedience
1Sa_25:29 — Abigail’s word about David’s relationship to God
2Sa_3:33 — Abner’s epitaph
2 Samuel 7 — God’s covenant with David (note the 7 “I wills”)
2Sa_18:33 — David’s grief over Absalom
2 Samuel 22 — Song of David (Psalm 18)
2Sa_24:24 — David’s rebuke against a cheap religion
1 SAMUEL
COMMENT:
I. SAMUEL: God’s prophet, priest, and judge, Chapters 1 — 8
Chapter 1 — This First Book of Samuel opens with a cry of a godly woman. While the people cry for a king, Hannah cries for a child. God builds the throne on a woman’s cry. When woman takes her exalted place, God builds her a throne.
Eli, the high priest, thinks Hannah is drunk as she prays before the tabernacle in Shiloh. When he discovers her true anxiety is for a child, he blesses her. Samuel is born to Hannah and she brings him to Eli in fulfillment of her vow.
Chapter 2 — Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving is prophetic, as she mentions the Messiah for the first time (1Sa_2:10).
Eli’s sons are evil and not fit for the priests’ office. An unnamed prophet warns Eli that his line will be cut off as high priest and that God will raise up a faithful priest (1Sa_2:35). Notice 1Sa_2:26 — spoken only of Samuel and Jesus.
Chapter 3 — The story of the call of Samuel as a prophet-priest is ordinarily reserved for children. It is not only for the junior, but for the senior. Bring it out of the nursery and into the adult department, for it is not only a beautiful story but marks one of the great transitional periods in Scripture — the change from theocracy to monarchy, from priest to king. God spoke to a king through prophets. Samuel was not a wee child. Josephus says he was 12 years old (1Sa_2:18 gives the wrong impression). Solomon was a grown man when he prayed, “I am but a little child” (1 Kings 3:7). Jeremiah was called to prophetic office when he wrote, “I am a child” (Jer_1:6). There was a total of 4 calls to Samuel: first and second were the call of God to salvation (1Sa_3:7); the last two calls were to service (1Sa_3:10).
Chapter 4 — Israel, without consulting Samuel, goes out to battle against the Philistines — which leads to defeat. Then they bring the ark of the covenant into battle, thinking its presence will bring victory. This reveals the superstitious paganism of the people who thought there was some merit in an object. The merit was in the presence and person of God.
1Sa_4:5 reveals gross idolatry.
1Sa_4:6 through 8 show that the Philistines were both superstitious and ignorant.
1Sa_4:10 tells Israel’s defeat again. The ark is captured.
1Sa_4:18 — The capture of the ark causes Eli to collapse and fall back ward, breaking his neck (he was a fat man).
Chapter 5 — The captured ark is placed in the house of Dagon, idol of the Philistines. The idol falls over and breaks. In fear, they send the ark to Gath where it is then transferred to Ekron.
Chapter 6 — Philistines return the ark to Israel, carried on a cart, to the field of Joshua at Bethshemesh. The ark is transferred to Kirjath-jearim.
Chapter 7 — After 20 years Israel prepares to receive the ark. Israel turns from Baalim and Ashtaroth to serve the Lord (1Sa_7:4). After Israel’s victory over the Philistines, Samuel sets up a stone at Ebenezer, which means “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” 1Sa_7:15-17 give Samuel’s extensive ministry as prophet, priest, and judge.
Chapter 8 — Hos_13:11 can be written over the remainder of 1 Samuel:
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
Samuel made the mistake of making his own sons judges to succeed him. They were wholly unworthy and incompetent (1Sa_8:3). Samuel was a failure as a father.
Israel demanded a king and rejected God and Samuel. Israel was influenced by surrounding nations.
II. SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 9 — 15
Chapter 9 — The people chose Saul. He looked like a king (1Sa_9:2). He was out looking for the asses of his father (1Sa_9:3), but the asses of Israel were looking for him (1Sa_9:20). God granted their request but sent leanness to their souls (1Sa_9:17). Is Saul (1Sa_9:21) genuinely humble?
Chapter 10 — Samuel anoints Saul king (1Sa_10:1). Was Saul (1Sa_10:6) converted? This verse is not the final proof. The Spirit of God came upon Balaam also, but he was not converted. Succeeding events in Saul’s life indicate that he was not. 1Sa_10:9 does not mean he had a new heart, only another heart. God equipped him for the office of king.
The reception of Saul as king was their rejection of God (1Sa_10:19). Saul’s conduct (1Sa_10:22) is an evidence of a false modesty. 1Sa_10:25 gives the message of 1 Samuel.
Chapter 11 — Saul began well, as he gained a victory over the Ammonites at Jabesh-gilead. All Israel accepted Saul as king (1Sa_11:15).
Chapter 12 — Samuel transfers all authority to Saul and turns in his report as judge over Israel. 1Sa_12:3 is Samuel’s autobiography — he was a remarkable man. Although Saul was Israel’s choice (1Sa_12:13), God would still bless if the people would obey (1Sa_12:14). The people begin to see and acknowl edge their mistake (1Sa_12:19). 1Sa_12:22 is the revelation of the marvelous grace of God.
Chapter 13 — The real nature of Saul begins to show. His son Jonathan got the victory at Michmash, but Saul blew the trumpet and took credit for it (1Sa_13:3-4). In presumption Saul intrudes into the priest’s office (1Sa_13:8-10). Samuel rebukes and rejects Saul (1Sa_13:13-14). The disarmament of Israel is revealed (1Sa_13:19, 1Sa_13:22).
Chapter 14 — Again Jonathan gains a victory but Saul takes credit for it (1Sa_14:14-15). “Saul took credit for victory…modesty gone now” (Young). Saul’s jealousy is revealed (1Sa_14:37-45). He actually would destroy his son if he stood in the way.
Chapter 15 — Saul’s glaring rebellion is revealed in his disobedience regarding Agag. He wants to cover up his sin before the people (1Sa_15:30). Saul is rejected now as king with no hope of recovery (1Sa_15:35). Samuel loved Saul for he mourned for him. Was he Samuel’s choice? A great spiritual principle is enunciated by Samuel (vs. 22, 23).
God has given Saul an opportunity to make good after his first failure, but he failed the second time. This is God’s method all the way through Scripture (cf. Jacob, Jonah, Peter, Mark, etc.). God did not need to wait for the result
— He already knew. However, the individual needed to know, and we need to know (Psa_51:4; Rom_3:19; Rev_15:3). We shall be tested, and we need the help of the Holy Spirit (Jam_1:12). Why the extreme surgery in slaying the Amalekites and Agag? Move ahead about 500 years. Haman was an Agagite (Est_3:1). God was protecting multitudes of the future, as He did at the Flood.
III. DAVID: God’s man, and SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 16 — 31
Chapter 16 — God chooses David as king to succeed Saul and sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint him as king. Another great principle is enunciated (1Sa_16:7). This is God’s method of choosing men for a particular office and task. Because Saul is forsaken of God (1Sa_16:14), David is brought into court to play upon his harp to soothe the evil spirit of Saul.
Chapter 17 — This chapter contains the familiar episode of David slaying Goliath with a slingshot. Why did David take 5 smooth stones to slay Goliath (1Sa_17:40)? Did he expect to miss? No, Goliath had four sons, and David expected them to come out also. David did slay them (2 Samuel 21:22). David did not expect to miss (Jdg_20:16).
Chapter 18 — David and Jonathan become fast friends, and they make a covenant for life. Saul becomes jealous of David because of the people’s applause (1Sa_18:8-9) and twice attempts to slay him. David becomes the favorite of the people (1Sa_18:16). Saul gives his daughter Michal to David as wife in order to trap David.
Chapter 19 — Saul openly attempts to have David slain; he personally attempts to slay him with a javelin as David plays upon his harp (1Sa_19:9-10). David escapes and becomes as a hunted animal.
Chapter 20 — Jonathan proves his love for David by protecting him (1Sa_20:16-17). Jonathan communicates with David the intentions of Saul by means of the shooting of arrows. Saul determines to kill David, and David flees.
Chapter 21 — David flees to Ahimelech the priest and feeds his young men with the showbread from the holy place. Then David flees to Achish, king of Gath, in Philistine country.
Chapter 22 — David begins to gather his mighty men. Those who came to him were in dire need — in distress, in debt, and discontented. David is hunted as a criminal. Saul slays Ahimelech and the other priests for helping David (1Sa_22:16-23).
Chapter 23 — David continues to flee with 600 men (1Sa_23:13). Jonathan contacts David and recognizes that David will be the next king (1Sa_23:16-17). Jonathan is a great man, and his attitude and action remind us of John the Baptist.
Chapter 24 — David spares Saul’s life at En-gedi because he honors his office, not the man (1Sa_24:6).
Chapter 25 — Death of Samuel in his retirement. David encounters Nabal and Abigail. David in anger is prevented from the rash act of murdering Nabal and his servants by the presence and diplomacy of Abigail, Nabal’s beautiful wife. Nabal dies after a night of drunkenness, and David takes Abigail as wife. She was a good influence in the life of David (1Sa_25:29, 1Sa_25:32-34).
Chapter 26 — David again spares Saul in the wilderness of Ziph. Note the contrast between Saul and David. Obviously, Saul knows that David is God’s choice, but he seeks to slay him (1Sa_26:25). David recognizes that Saul is the anointed king, and he spares him. God must deal with Saul (1Sa_26:9-11). Is David being sarcastic with Abner (1Sa_26:15)?
Chapter 27 — David in fear retreats to Philistia (1Sa_27:1). Achish of Gath gives David and his men the city of Ziklag.
Chapter 28 — Saul’s interview with the witch of Endor poses and provokes many questions. The primary one relates to Samuel. Did she bring Samuel back from the dead? If so, this is the only instance in Scripture.
Scripture positively condemns such practices of necromancy (Deu_18:9-14). the new testament account of lazarus and a rich man indicates there can be no return (Luk_16:19-31). paul was silenced about his experience of being caught up to the third heaven (2Co_12:2-4). scripture warns of these practices and predicts a future outbreak (Mat_24:24; 2 thessalonians 2:9; 1Ti_4:1-3; Rev_16:13-14).
Saul was abandoned of God (1Sa_28:6, 1Sa_28:15). Because heaven was silent, Saul turned to hell. We maintain that Samuel did not appear. There are 2 possible explanations: (1) It was a fraud, the witch was a ventriloquist (this is the position of G. Campbell Morgan); (2) an overweening desire to communicate with dead loved ones makes people victims of deceit. We believe a false spirit appeared — not Samuel. Even the witch was deceived and frightened (1Sa_28:12-15). The false spirit communicated nothing that was not previously revealed.
Chapter 29 — The Philistines do not trust David to fight against Israel.
Chapter 30 — David fights against the Amalekites because of destruction of Ziklag. Note David’s refuge (1Sa_30:6).
Chapter 31 — Saul, mortally wounded in battle, tries to commit suicide. See 2 Samuel, chapter 1, for the answer to the question: “Who killed King Saul?”
Saul failed in ruling God’s property.
The end is self-destruction.
God and His authority are rejected.
Saul spared the Amalekites; Saul was killed by Amalekites.
OUTLINE:
I. SAMUEL: God’s prophet, priest, and judge, Chapters 1 — 8
A. Birth of Samuel, Chapters 1, 2
1. Hannah’s prayer and answer, 1
2. Hannah’s prophetic prayer; boy Samuel in temple, 2
B. Call of Samuel, Chapter 3
C. Last judge and first prophet (prophetic office), Chapters 4 — 8
1. Ark captured by Philistines; Word of God to Samuel fulfilled; Eli dies and his sons slain, 4
2. God judged Philistines because of the ark; ark returned to Bethshemesh, 5, 6
3. Samuel leads in revival (put away idols and turn to Jehovah); victory at Ebenezer, 7
4. Israel rejects God and demands a king; Samuel warns nation but promises a king, 8
II. SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 9 — 15
A. Saul received, Chapters 9, 10
1. Saul chosen as king, 9
2. Saul anointed as king, 10
B. Saul reigning, Chapters 11, 12
1. Saul’s victory over Ammonites, 11
2. Transfer of authority from Samuel to Saul, 12
C. Saul rejected, Chapters 13 — 15
1. Saul’s rebellion against God, 13
2. Jonathan responsible for victory over Philistines; Saul took credit, 14
3. Saul’s glaring rebellion and disobedience regarding Agag, 15
III. DAVID: God’s man, and SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 16 — 31
A. David anointed, Chapter 16
B. David trained, Chapters 17, 18
1. David slays Goliath, giant of Gath, 17
2. Jonathan and David make covenant; Saul gives daughter Michal to David, 18
C. David disciplined, Chapters 19 — 30
1. Saul attempts to kill David again, 19
2. Jonathan helps David escape, 20
3. David escapes to Nob and Gath, 21
4. David gathers his men; Saul slays priests of God, 22
5. David fights Philistines; Saul pursues David; Jonathan and David make covenant, 23
6. David spares Saul’s life at En-gedi, 24
7. Samuel dies; David and Abigail, 25
8. David again spares Saul’s life in wilderness of Ziph, 26
9. David retreats to land of Philistia (Ziklag), 27
10. Saul goes to witch of Endor, 28
11. Philistines do not trust David in battle, 29
12. David fights Amalekites because of destruction of Ziklag, 30
D. Saul, mortally wounded in battle, commits suicide, Chapter 31
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Crockett, William Day. A Harmony of the Books of Samuel, Kings and
Chronicles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1959.
Darby, J. N. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible. Oak Park, Illinois: Bible Truth
Publishers, n.d.
Davis, John J. and Witcomb, John C., Jr. A History of Israel. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Baker Book House, 1970. (Excellent.)
Epp, Theodore H. David. Lincoln, Nebraska: Back to the Bible Broadcast,
1965.
Gaebelein, Arno C. Annotated Bible. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers,
1917.
Gray, James M. Synthetic Bible Studies. Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming
H. Revell Co., 1906.
Jensen, Irving L. I and II Samuel. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1968.
(A self-study guide.)
Kelly, William. Lectures on the Earlier Historical Books of the Old Testament. Oak Park, Illinois: Bible Truth Publishers, 1874.
Knapp, Christopher. The Kings of Israel and Judah. Neptune, New Jersey:
Loizeaux Brothers, 1908. (Very fine.)
Meyer, F. B. David: Shepherd, Psalmist, King. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, n.d. (Devotional.)
Meyer, F. B. Samuel the Prophet. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, n.d. (Devotional.)
Sauer, Erich. The Dawn of World Redemption. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951. (An excellent Old Testament survey.)
Scroggie, W. Graham. The Unfolding Drama of Redemption. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970. (An excellent survey
and outline of the Old Testament.)
Unger, Merrill F. Unger’s Bible Commentary. Chicago, Illinois: Moody
Press, 1980. (Volume 1 covers Genesis through Song of S o l o m o n
with a fine summary of each paragraph by this outstanding Old Testament scholar.)
Wood, Leon, J. Israel’s United Monarchy. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Book House, n.d. (Excellent.)
Wood, Leon, J. The Prophets of Israel. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Book House, n.d. (Excellent.)