1 Samuel

Themes and Insights from 1 Samuel

Theme 1:(1-6) : The Lord is holy and we are to revere him. Hannah seeking a son worships the Lord in reverence bowing her facing before him (1 Samuel 1). Eli the high priest is rebuked and his sons Honi and Phineas are condemned to die violent deaths because of their disobedience to the Lord. ( 1 Samuel 2). Samuel honored the Lord in his actions and so the Lord spoke to him . Samuel continued to mediate upon the scriptures and grew in his relationship with God. ( 1 Samuel 3). The nation of Israel drifted from God and as a result his presence in the form of the Ark of the Covenant . ( 1 Samuel 4). The Philistines who do not know the Lord or obey him face judgement and pestilence and so they send the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel . ( 1 Samue1 5-6).

Theme 2: ( 7-12) : We are given free will by God and we often choose our own way and disobey him. Samuel urged the people to repent and the nation did and thus experienced peace after a period of war with the Philistines. ( 1 Samuel 7). The nation of Israel after being warned by God through Samuel decide that although the king will take the best of what they have they still want a king and so God appoints a king for them. ( 1 Samuel 8). Saul was annonited by Samuel and sought after the Lord in the beginning of his reign and is used by God to deliver the people from the Philistines. ( 1 Samuel 9). Saul is officially made King by all of the people and his enemies are silenced by the majority as the people have chosen Saul as their leader instead of God. ( 1 Samuel 10). Saul and the nation seek the Lord and are given victory over the Amorites. ( 1 Samuel 11). The people are warned to keep serving the Lord by Samuel and not to forget him. ( 1 Samuel 12).

Theme 3: (13-18) Humility and obedience are key to following God and being used for his purposes. Saul being confident in his own wisdom disobeys the Lord and before going into battle offers a sacrifice to ensure victory overt the Philistines. ( 1 Samuel 13). Jonathan and his Armor Bearer trust the Lord and through their faithful obedience to him and are given victory over the Philistines. ( 1 Samuel 14). Saul as a result of his disobedience and pride is removed from being God’s chosen leader and is no longer blessed by him. (1 Samuel 15). David is humble and does not come to speak to Samuel yet through his heart of obedience is chosen as King. (1 Samuel 16). David obeys the Lord and trusts him and in humility is given victory over Goliath. ( 1 Samuel 17). David is able to escape Saul’s rage and plan to kill him as he trusts the Lord. (1 Samuel 18).

Theme 4: ((19-24) Faithfulness, justice and integrity of character are a part of following God and being used by him. Saul pursues David and his plan to kill him comes to nothing when the Lord saves David and causes Saul to worship him and forget about David. (1 Samuel 19). The Lord blesses David and gives him Jonathan as a friend while David continues to follow and trust in him. (1 Samuel 20). David obeys God and seeks refuge with the priests at a place of Sanctuary called Nob. (1 Samuel 21). The Lord used David to encourage others to follow after him and gave David a band of followers to support him. (1 Samuel 22). David seeking after the Lord is given refuge in Philistia and is used from there to destroy the enemies of Israel. (1 Samuel 23). David obeyed the Lord’s command not to kill Saul and respects his life and through following God’s plan is not pursued by him. (1 Samuel 24).

Theme 5:(25-31) diligent obedience and faith in the Lord results in victory in the end. David is careful not to harm Naman and avenge the wrong done to him and leaves the matter to God and in the end is given wealth and a wife Abigail. (1 Samuel 25). David spared Saul’s life a final time and is given peace from him. (1 Samuel 26). David experienced struggles when he relied on his own wisdom and sought refuge with the Philistines. (1 Samuel 27). Saul forsakes the Lord and sought a medium and the Lord pronounced judgment upon him, telling him of his death. (1 Samuel 28). David and his men due to their obedience to the Lord and faith in him are spared from fighting against their own people with the Philistine army. (1 Samuel 29). David and his followers as a result of their faithfulness to the Lord are rewarded by recovering their wealth and families from a band of raiding Malecite warriors and even gain more plunder. (1 Samuel 30). The story of the death of Saul and Jonathan fulfilled the prophecy Samuel gave Saul from the Lord ( 1 Samuel 31). This reminds me that I can trust God to do what he says he will do.