Bible Survey

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The Book of

1 Samuel

16 March 2016


Author

·      * Unknown

·      Samuel likely wrote at least part of the book.

·      In the original Hebrew, 1-2 Samuel were just one book. They were divided into two books about 250 BC when the Old Testament was translated into Greek (the Septuagint, LXX).

Time Period

·      * Began about 1115 BC with the birth of Samuel and lasted until about 1055 when Saul died

Type of Literature

·      * History

Theme

·      * Biography of Samuel and Saul

·      * Israel’s first king

·      * The rise of the office of prophet as God’s messenger instead of the priest

Key VerseS

·      (1 Samuel 2:30) “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

·      (1 Samuel 15:22) “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Purpose of the Book

·      * This book teaches us about prayer.

§  Hannah prayed for a child, 1Sa 1:10-28

§  Hannah thanked God for Samuel, 1Sa 2:1-10

§  Samuel prayed for sinful Israel, 1Sa 7:5

§  Samuel prayed when Israel begged for a king, 1Sa 8:6

§  Samuel said it would be sin for him to stop praying for Israel, 1Sa 12:23

·      * This book is a warning to careless parents

·      * This book illustrates the consequence of pride in Saul’s life.

Main Characters

·      * Eli, Samuel, Saul, David

Main Events

·      * Hannah prayed for son Samuel.

·      * Eli’s sons were wicked.

·      * Samuel was a faithful judge.

·      * Israel begged for a king like other nations.

·      * Saul began humble but became proud.

·      * David killed Goliath

·      * Saul hunted David

·      * Saul’s sin of visiting a witch at Endor

Important Terms & Phrases

·      * A seer was another name for a prophet (1Sa 9:9)

·      * Dagon is the false god of the Philistines (1Sa 5:2)

Principles

·      Polygamy is not right (1Sa 1). Second marriages today have many of the same problems.

·      Those who do not biblically discipline and train their children are hurting their children. They are also disobeying God (1Sa 2:22-25; 8:1-5).

·      God sought for a man after his own heart (1Sa 13:14)

·      Obedience is very important (1Sa 13:8-9; 15:22-23). God hates disobedience.

·      God expect complete obedience (1Sa 15). Partial obedience is disobedience.

·      God hates witchcraft of all sorts (1Sa 28:7).

OUTLINE

 

  • Ø Samuel the Prophet

 

  • Ø Saul the King

 

  • Ø David the Fugitive

 

·      Samuel born and given to God, 1Sa 1

·      Eli’s wicked sons, 1Sa 2-3

·      The Ark of God is taken, 1Sa 4

·      Philistines return the Ark, 1Sa 5-7

·      Israel begs for a king, 1Sa 8

·      Saul is anointed, 1Sa 9-10

·      Saul’s battles and failures, 1Sa 11-15

·      David secretly anointed, 1Sa 16

·      David killed Goliath, 1Sa 17

·      Jonathan befriends David, 1Sa 18-20

·      David reacts to troubles, 1Sa 21-22

·      David’s troubles with Saul, 1Sa 23-30

·      Saul died in battle, 1Sa 31