1-2 Samuel
Title: 1-2 Samuel – named after one of the
prophets during the reign of David, 1 and 2 are not different books – two
parts,
Date of
writing: completed
by about 950 BC
Date of
Narrative: ab. 1150
– 950 BC
Structure: from Peter J. Leithart, A Son to
Me, p. 31.
a. 1:1 – 2:11, birth of Samuel + song (2:1-10)
b. 2:12 – 3:21,
the corruption of Eli’s house
c. 4:1 – 7:17,
exile and return of the Ark
d. 8:1 –
12:25, Saul’s rise
e. 13:1 –
15:33, Saul’s fall
f. 15:34 – 20:42, David in Saul’s (king’s)
house
g. 21:1 –
27:12, Saul vs. David
h. 28:1 –
2 Sam. 1:27, Saul’s death (song of lament)
g’. 2:1 –
4:12, house of Saul vs. house of David
f’. 5:1 –
9:13, David as king
e’. 10:1 – 12:31,
David’s fall
d’. 13:1 –
15:12, Absalom’s rise
c’. 15:13 –
19:43, exile and return of David
b’. 20:1-26,
Rebellion of Sheba
a’. 21:1 –
24:25, the True King + song (22:1 – 23:7)
Main
themes:
House –
there is symbolic play of words, the word “beit” in Hebrew can be translated as
a building, house, family/clan, and house of the LORD is temple.
Building the
Davidic dynasty that will lead to the ascension of the Son of David to the
eternal throne to rule the world. It begins with the conquering the Jerusalem
(2 Sam. 5:6-10) and goes ‘till the Descension of Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev.
21-22).
The raising
up the next generations: we continually see the leaders and their sons (good
and bad).
Main
Characters: Hannah,
Eli and his sons, Samuel and his sons, Saul and his sons, David and his sons, Joab,
Nathan, Jedidiah
Reflection
in other parts of the Bible:
1-2 Samuel
in many ways resonates with the Book of Exodus: Israel goes through a
troublesome time, the birth of a special child, who will lead the people into
the new world, building of the house of God.
The life of
“good” Saul resembles the characteristics of Gideon (Judges 6-7).
There are
also some connections between the lives of David and Jacob (Gen. 25 – 27).
Lutheran
teaching:
LC I:45-46
explaining the First Commandment builds up on the example of both Saul and
David and inability of Saul’s unrepentant heart to keep his priorities straight
and deviated from the truth without repentance.
Ap. XIIa(V):36
brings up the difference between of contrition of Saul and Judas (without faith)
and true repentance of David and Peter (faith grasps the forgiveness of
sins, given as a gift for Christ’s sake).
Lutheran
hymnody:
LSB 928 –
Song of Hannah LSB 442 – All
Glory, Laud, and Honor
Relevancy
of the Book:
The book
teaches us that God cares for His people. In the midst of their troubles, He
sends or appoints a leader who will lead people into the place or time of rest.
On the other
hand, 1-2 Samuel gives a sobering example on being a godly leader. We see time
and time again how the godly leaders fall, being caught into the web of sin
(pride, infidelity etc.). Yet, the LORD
provides the way out through confession and absolution, contrition, and
restoration.
Memory
verses:
1 Sam. 16:7:
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on
his appearance or on the height of his statue, because I have rejected him. For
the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on
the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
2 Sam.
7:13-14a: He (son of David) shall build a house for my name, and I
will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be
to me a son.
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