Overview of the Bible: 1-2 Samuel

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.