1 SAMUEL INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION TO 1 AND 2 SAMUEL

THE NAME OF THE BOOK
1. It was named after its first chief character, Samuel. His name means:
  1. "His Name is El," going back to Shem (lit. Shem-El, cf Gen. 4:32, BDB 1028)
  2. "Asked" of YHWH" (cf. 1 Sam. 1:20; BDB 981, KB 1371)
2. He was:
  1. a judge ‒ 1 Sam. 7:6, 15-17
    1. military sense
    2. judicial sense
  2. a prophet ‒ 1 Sam. 3:20 (prophets were originally called "seers," 1 Sam. 9:9; 1 Chr. 29:29
  3. a priest ‒ 1 Sam. 7:9-10; 10:8; 13:8-15; 16:5
CANONIZATION
1. This is part of the second division of the Hebrew canon called the Prophets. The section is divided into two parts:
  1. the former prophets, which includes Joshua ‒ Kings (except Ruth)
  2. the latter prophets which includes Isaiah ‒ Malachi (except Daniel and Lamentations)
2. Originally 1 & 2 Samuel were one book in the Hebrew canon:
  1. Baba Bathra 14b (the MT's closing note only occurs at the end of 2 Samuel)
  2. Eusebius Ecclesiastical History, VII:25:2
3. The Septuagint (LXX) divided the book into two parts, probably because of length. It also named the historical books as follows:
  1. 1 Samuel ‒ I Book of Kingdoms (in the Vulgate, I Kings)
  2. 2 Samuel ‒ II Book of Kingdoms (in the Vulgate, II Kings)
  3. 1 Kings ‒ III Book of Kingdoms (in the Vulgate, III Kings)
  4. 2 Kings ‒ IV Book of Kingdoms (in the Vulgate, IV Kings)
GENRE
1. This is primarily biographically focused, historical narrative.
2. This means it records historical customs and events that are not necessarily advocated to all believers (i.e. because the Bible records it, does not mean God advocates it)!
3. This is not a modern western history but an Ancient Near Eastern history. It focuses on selected events to communicate theological truths. Therefore, it is similar to the Gospels and Acts of the NT. It must be interpreted in light of
  1. selection
  2. adaption
  3. arrangement
  4. under inspiration
  However, it must also be stated that the Hebrews and the Hittites were the most accurate Ancient Near Eastern historians. Other ancient peoples tended to exaggerate victories and leave out defeats.
  SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORIOGRAPHY COMPARED TO NEAR EASTERN CULTURE
  
  SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
4. The wealth of Near Eastern Literature now available to scholars through modern archaeology has provided a possible insight into the genre of Samuel, particularly 1 Samuel 15 - 2 Samuel 8. In particular the 1200's b.c. Hittite document called "Apology of Hattusili" has many similarities with Samuel. It is basically a defense of a new dynasty, so that the new ruler will not be charged with usurping the legitimate rule of another, (Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia, vol. 5 p. 259-260):
  1. stresses events that led up to the new king
  2. often contains summaries of events instead of strict chronologies
  3. clearly shows the disqualification of earlier rulers
  4. shows the military victories of the new ruler
  5. reveals the growing popularity of the new ruler
  6. documents important political marriages of the new ruler
  7. stresses the religious fervor and national consciousness of the new ruler
  8. summary of the reign of the new king with its divine blessings and administrative successes
AUTHORSHIP
1. Jewish tradition has always affirmed that Samuel was the author:
  1. Baba Bathra 14b says that Samuel wrote the book which bears his name and also Judges and Ruth.
  2. The book itself states that Samuel wrote it (cf. 1 Sam. 10:25 [this is usually thought of as the first 12 through 15 chapters]).
  3. Later Jewish scholars also recognized that, like Deuteronomy and Joshua, this book records the death of its chief character, 1 Sam. 25:1; 28:3, and also records events long after his death. Therefore, they suggest that:
    1. possibly Seraiah the scribe, 2 Sam. 8:17, finished the book
    2. possibly Abiathar the priest finished the book
    3. possibly Zabud, son of Nathan the prophet (NIV), compiled it (cf. 1 Kings 4:5)
2. Modern Scholarship:
  1. It is recognized that the contents of the books are from eyewitnesses to the events (Bright).
  2. It is also recognized that sources were used
    1. "the book of Jashar," 2 Sam. 1:18
    2. the chronicles of Samuel, 1 Sam. 10:25; 1 Chr. 29:29
    3. the chronicles of the prophets Nathan and Gad, 1 Chr. 29:29
    4. other chronicles of the time, 1 Chr. 27:24
    5. many modern scholars like to suppose that Samuel, Nathan, and Gad (I Chr. 29:29) were the authors of three narratives that were combined by Zabud, Nathan's son (I Kings 4:5), who also had access to court documents.
  3. There is also the evidence of later editors after Samuel's day exemplified in the phrase "until this day," (cf. 1 Sam. 5:5; 6:18; 27:6; 30:25; 2 Sam. 4:3; 6:8; 18:18).
  4. There is evidence that this editor or editors lived and worked after the United Monarchy divided in 922 b.c. (Bright) or 930 b.c. (Harrison & NIV) or 933 b.c. (Young) into the northern ten tribes called Israel, Ephraim or Samaria and the southern three called Judah (cf. 1 Sam. 11:8; 17:52; 18:16; 27:6; 2 Sam. 5:5; 24:1).
  5. Samuel is a good example of what modern critical scholars see as signs of composite literature (i.e., doublets):
    1. end of Eli's family as priests:
      (1) 1 Samuel 2:31ff
      (2) 1 Samuel 3:1ff
    2. the anointing of Saul:
      (1) secret, 1 Samuel 9:26-10:1
      (2) public (twice), 1 Samuel 13:14; 15:23
    3. introduction of David to Saul:
      (1) 1 Samuel 16:21
      (2) 1 Samuel 17:58
    4. David escapes from Saul's court:
      (1) 1 Samuel 24:3
      (2) 1 Samuel 26:5
    5. David and Jonathan's covenants:
      (1) 1 Samuel 18:3
      (2) 1 Samuel 20:16, 42
      (3) 1 Samuel 23:18
    6. David to Gath:
      (1) 1 Samuel 21:10
      (2) 1 Samuel 27:1
    7. slayer of Goliath:
      (1) David ‒ 1 Samuel 17:51
      (2) Elhanan ‒ 2 Samuel 21:19
      (3) 1 Chr. 20:5 seems to show that Goliath and his brother (Lahmi) were being referred to simultaneously
    8. the sparing of Saul:
      (1) 1 Samuel 24:3ff
      (2) 1 Samuel 26:5ff
    9. As to the supposed parallels and/or doublets R.K. Harrison says, "It must be remarked again that many of the alleged discrepancies in the biblical narratives are the direct result of careless reading or sometimes of deliberate misrepresentation of the Hebrew text. . .which in fact only exists in the critical imagination," Introduction to the Old Testament, p.703.
  6. We must admit that the authorship is unknown (E. J. Young) and also the process of compilation of these OT books is unknown. However, we still assert that:
    1. the process was led by God
    2. the events are truly historical and not fictional
    3. the events have a theological thrust
SPECIAL TOPIC: The Bible (its uniqueness and inspiration)
DATE
1. When the events occurred
  1. 1 Samuel covers the period of time from the birth of Samuel, 1105 b.c. (NIV) to the death of Saul about (1011/10 Harrison& NIV; 1013 Young; 1000 Bright).
  2. 2 Samuel covers the period of time from the death of Saul about 1011 b.c. to the end of David's reign (971/70 Harrison; 973 Young; 961 Bright). Solomon began to reign about 969 b.c.
2. When the book was written
  1. 1 Samuel 11:8; 27:6 show that at least some of the book was written in its present form after the United Monarchy split in 922 b.c. or 930 b.c.
  2. The repeated phrase, "until this day," shows that:
    1. some of the book was written a long time after the events: 1 Sam. 5:5; 6:18; 27:6; 30:25; 2 Sam. 4:3; 6:8; 18:18.
    2. the sources that were used already included this phrase.
  3. One of the dating problems for this period is the text of 1 Sam. 13:1, which gives the dates of Saul's reign but it has been damaged in transmission. A number is obviously missing. See detailed notes there online.
HISTORICAL SETTING
1. 1 Samuel continues the history of the anarchy and moral depravity of the period of the Judges:
  1. sin, invasion, prayer for forgiveness, and God's deliverance characterize Judges 1-17
  2. three examples of moral depravity are listed in Judges 18-21
2. It was a time when the major empires of Mesopotamia and Egypt were not expansionistic:
  1. Egypt:
    1. last ethnic Egyptian king of the XX Dynasty (1180 - 1065 b.c., Bright) was Rameses XI
    2. the XXI Dynasty (non-Egyptian) called "Tanite" was about 1065 - 935 b.c. (Bright)
  2. Assyria was in decline after Tiglath-Pileser I (1118 - 1078 b.c., Bright)
  SPECIAL TOPIC: EMPIRES OF MESOPOTAMIA
3. The Philistines, in large numbers (Aegean Sea Peoples), attempted to invade Egypt about 1300 b.c. but were defeated. They settled in the southwest corner of Palestine about 1250 b.c. They had developed iron age technology from the Hittites and were able to establish themselves in a circle of five cities: Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath and Gaza. They were organized like Greek city-states, each with its own king. They became the major enemy of the Israelites in early kingdom times.
LITERARY UNITS (Contexts)
1. Brief Outline by Main Characters:
  1. Eli and Samuel, 1 Samuel 1-7
  2. Samuel and (young) Saul, 1 Samuel 8-15
  3. Saul (old) and David, 1 Samuel 16 - 2 Samuel 1
  4. (young vs. old) David's reign, 2 Samuel 2-12
  5. David and Succession, 2 Samuel 13-20
  6. Miscellaneous items about David and his reign, 2 Samuel 21-24
2. 1 & 2 Samuel seem to be outlined by the author/editor by including summary statements:
  1. 1 Samuel 7:15-17
  2. 1 Samuel 14:49-51
  3. 2 Samuel 8:15-18
  4. 2 Samuel 20:23-26
3. Detailed Outline:
  1. see R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament, p. 695-696
  2. see E. J. Young, An Introduction to the Old Testament, p. 180-187
  3. see NIV Study Bible, p. 373 and 422
4. Dr. David King's Teaching Outline for 1 Samuel
  1. Eli's ministry and Samuel's birth and childhood (1-3)
    1. The religious situation in Israel (1:9, 12-14,17; 2:12-17, 22-25)
    2. The birth of Samuel
      Hannah's unhappiness because she was barren (1:1-18)
      Her prayer (1:9-18)
      She conceives and Samuel is born. (1:19-20)
      She dedicates him to the Lord as a Nazarite. (1:11, 21-28)
      She praises God. (2:1-10)
    3. The spiritual failure of Eli's sons and his failure to correct them (2:12-25)
    4. Samuel's childhood: he grows in stature and favor with God and the people in contrast with Eli's sons. (2:26)
    5. The prophecy against Eli and his sons. (2:27-36)
    6. The Lord calls the boy, Samuel, and confirms the message of judgment on Eli and his sons (3)
  2. The Philistines capture and return the ark of the Lord (4-7)
    1. Israel's defeat (4:1b-3a)
    2. The Israelites decide to take the ark of the Lord with them into battle to try to ensure victory. (4:3b-5)
    3. The disastrous results of trying to depend upon sacred objects instead of on the presence of God. (4:6-22)
    4. The effects of the ark's presence on the Philistines and its return to Israel. (5-6)
    5. Samuel leads Israel in revival and the defeat of the Philistines. (7)
  3. Israel asks for a king and Saul is chosen (8-10)
    1. Samuel's failure as a father (8:1-3)
    2. The elders request a king (8:4-6)
    3. Samuel's response (8:6-22)
    4. Samuel anoints Saul to be king (9:1-10:8)
    5. Saul is chosen publicly by the people. (10:17-27)
  4. Saul's early reign and rejection for disobedience (11-15)
    1. Saul rescues Jabesh in Gilead and is reaffirmed as king. (11)
    2. In his farewell speech Samuel rebukes the people for asking for a king. (12)
    3. Saul is rebuked and rejected as king because of his disobedience to God. (13:1-14)
    4. Saul and Jonathan defeat the Philistines. (13:15-14:52)
    5. Saul is again rebuked and rejected for his disobedience concerning the destruction of the Amalekites. (15)
  5. Saul's later reign and the rise of David (16-31)
    1. Samuel anoints David to be king in place of Saul. (16:1-13)
    2. Saul employs David to soothe his spirit with harp music. (16:14-23)
    3. David kills the giant, Goliath. (17)
    4. Saul becomes very jealous of David and tries several times to kill him. (18 & 19)
    5. David is forced to leave Saul's court but he and Jonathan pledge love and loyalty to each other. (20)
    6. David flees to Nob, to Ahimelech, the priest. Saul learns of this and kills Ahimelech and the other priests at Nob. (21:1-9; 22:6-23)
    7. David becomes a wandering fugitive. Saul chases him, but God delivers him. (21:10-22:5, 23-27)
    8. Saul seeks advice from the witch of Endor. (28)
    9. David is refused permission to fight against Saul with the Philistines; he returns to Ziklag to find it has been raided and all his family taken captive. He pursues and destroys the Amalekites. (29-30)
    10. Saul and his men are defeated; Saul's sons are killed and he is mortally wounded. (31)
MAIN TRUTHS
1. Samuel sets the stage for the forming of the monarchy as Moses set the stage for the forming of a nation:
  1. Moses predicted Israel would have a king in Deut. 17:14-20, where he describes what a righteous king should and should not do.
  2. There is a tension in 1 Samuel about the king:
    1. negative aspects:
      (1) they rejected YHWH as King, 1 Sam. 8:7; 10:19
      (2) they asked for a king "like the surrounding nations," 1 Sam. 8:5; 12:19-20
      (3) it displeased Samuel; he felt personally rejected, 1 Sam. 8:6
    2. positive aspects:
      (1) YHWH fulfilled His prophecy in Deuteronomy by giving them a king, 1 Sam. 8:7,9,22, "listen to the voice of the people"
      (2) tell the new king the godly guidelines, 1 Sam. 8:9 (Deut. 17:14-20)
      (3) the king will deliver the people, 1 Sam. 9:16 (like the judges in response to the peoples' prayer, cf. 1 Sam. 12:13)
2. Samuel documents the transition of spiritual power from the High Priest and Tabernacle to the emerging prophetic spokesman. This may be in response to:
  1. God's judgement on Eli and his family, 1 Sam. 2:22-3:18
  2. the need for a balance between the form and ritual of the priests and the heartfelt personal faith focus of the prophets
  3. both priests and prophets are covenant mediators to the people as a whole
  4. Saul looked to Samuel while David looked to Nathan and Gad to ascertain God's will
3. 2 Samuel documents:
  1. the goodness of God to David
  2. David's strengths and weaknesses
  3. God's judgement on David because of his sin and its effects on:
    1. the nation
    2. the family of Uriah
    3. the child of Bathsheba
    4. the children of David
4. 1 & 2 Samuel continue the history of God's people which began in Genesis.