The Rise of Samuel and the Anointing of Saul

In our study of these four books of history we will not follow a line-by-line approach and discuss all the historical events described, but rather we will explore the rise and fall of Israel's kings, emphasizing the difference between faithful kings who ruled well and unfaithful kings who led Israel to ruin. Key themes include obedience to God, leadership, and the consequences of rebellion.

We begin, however, with a brief introduction of Samuel, himself, and the times during which these kings ruled and events that shaped this period in history.

Introduction to the Book of I Samuel

I Samuel is the first of two books that narrate the transition of Israel from the time of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. It provides a historical and theological account of the kings of Israel, beginning with the birth of the prophet Samuel, detailing the reign of Israel's first king, Saul, and introducing David, who would later become the greatest king of the Jewish nation.

Authorship

The authorship of I Samuel is traditionally attributed to the prophet Samuel, along with contributions from the prophets Nathan and Gad, according to Jewish tradition (I Chronicles 29:29). However, the book itself does not name a specific author, and modern scholars believe it was written by multiple unknown authors who compiled various records, narratives, and traditions over time.

Historical Context

I Samuel takes place during a period of significant change and upheaval in Israel's history, around the 11th century BC. This was a time when Israel was transitioning from the decentralized leadership of judges to a centralized monarchy.

Time of the Judges

Prior to I Samuel, Israel was led by judges—military and spiritual leaders who arose during times of crisis to deliver the people from foreign oppression. This was a period marked by moral and spiritual decline, as described in the Book of Judges:

In those days there was no king in Israel.
Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
- Judges 21:25

Demand for a King

In I Samuel, the people of Israel demand a king to lead them, like the surrounding nations. This request signifies a rejection of God as their ultimate king, a central theme of the book.

Date of Writing

The final form of I Samuel was likely written and compiled sometime during or after the early monarchy, perhaps between the 10th and 7th centuries BC. This period followed the establishment of the monarchy in Israel and reflected the struggles of leadership, faithfulness, and national identity that characterized Israel's early history under its kings.

Key Themes

I Samuel explores several key theological themes:

• Leadership and Obedience: The contrast between faithful leadership (Samuel, David) and disobedience (Saul).
• God's Sovereignty: God's control over Israel's destiny and His role in establishing and deposing kings.
• The Role of Prophets: The importance of prophets as God's messengers who anointed and advised kings.

Major Characters

• Samuel: The last judge, a prophet, and the spiritual leader who anointed Israel's first two kings.
• Saul: Israel's first king, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God.
• David: Introduced in I Samuel as the shepherd boy who was anointed to be the future king.

I. From Judges to the First King

1. Hannah's Prayer and the Birth of Samuel – I Samuel 1-2

Hannah's Desperation and Prayer (I Samuel 1:1-18)

The story begins with Hannah, one of the two wives of a man named Elkanah. Hannah was deeply grieved because she was barren and unable to have children, while her rival wife, Peninnah, had children and taunted her over her barrenness. Each year, Elkanah and his family went to Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord at the tabernacle.

In her deep anguish, Hannah went to the tabernacle and prayed fervently to the Lord, vowing that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and a razor would never touch his head, signifying a Nazirite vow (I Samuel 1:11). As she prayed silently, only moving her lips, the priest Eli initially misunderstood her actions and thought she was drunk. However, upon realizing her sincerity, Eli blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition" (I Samuel 1:17).

The Birth and Dedication of Samuel (I Samuel 1:19-28)

God answered Hannah's prayer, and she conceived a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "asked of God" or "heard by God." After weaning Samuel, Hannah kept her vow and brought him back to the tabernacle at Shiloh. She presented Samuel to Eli the priest and declared that she had prayed for this child, and the Lord granted her request. Hannah then dedicated Samuel to the Lord, saying, "As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord" (I Samuel 1:28). Samuel was left to serve the Lord at the tabernacle under Eli's care.

Hannah's Prayer of Praise (I Samuel 2:1-10)

In response to God's graciousness, Hannah offered a prayer of thanksgiving and praise, known as Hannah's Song or Hannah's Prayer. This prayer is filled with rich theology and expresses her gratitude and joy for God's deliverance. It emphasizes several key themes:

• God's Sovereignty: Hannah acknowledges that God has control over life, death, poverty, and wealth (I Samuel 2:6-7).
• God's Justice: She praises God for His justice, for humbling the proud and exalting the lowly (I Samuel 2:4-8).
• God's Deliverance: Hannah proclaims that God will protect His faithful people and bring victory through His king (I Samuel 2:9-10), foreshadowing the rise of David and the future messianic king.

Samuel's Growth and Eli's Wicked Sons (I Samuel 2:11-26)

While Samuel grew up ministering before the Lord, Eli's own sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were corrupt and disobedient, dishonoring the priesthood and leading Israel into sin. This contrast between the faithful Samuel and the wicked sons of Eli sets the stage for Samuel's rise as God's chosen leader for Israel.

Samuel's birth marks the beginning of a new era in Israel's history, as he would become a pivotal figure in the transition from the time of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

2. The Fall of Eli's House and the Rise of Samuel – I Samuel 2:27-4:22

The Prophecy Against Eli's House (I Samuel 2:27-36)

The downfall of Eli's family begins with a prophetic message of judgment. A man of God (a prophet) came to Eli, the high priest at Shiloh, to deliver a word from the Lord. The prophecy condemns Eli for allowing his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to act wickedly and dishonor the priesthood, even though Eli knew of their sins.

Hophni and Phinehas were guilty of abusing their priestly positions by stealing from the sacrifices (I Samuel 2:12-17) and committing sexual immorality with the women who served at the entrance to the tabernacle (I Samuel 2:22).

The prophet reminded Eli of God's covenant with the priestly house of Aaron but declared that because Eli had honored his sons more than God, the house of Eli would face severe consequences:

• No old man would be left in Eli's lineage.
• Eli's descendants would die young, and the priesthood would be taken from his family.
• As a sign of the fulfillment of this prophecy, both of Eli's sons would die on the same day (I Samuel 2:34).

The Calling of Samuel (I Samuel 3:1-21)

Amid the spiritual decline under Eli's sons, God raised up a new leader—Samuel. The narrative contrasts the corruption of Eli's house with the faithfulness of Samuel, who was ministering before the Lord in the tabernacle at Shiloh.

God Calls Samuel

As a young boy, Samuel experienced the call of God one night. God called Samuel by name, but Samuel, not yet knowing the Lord, mistook the voice for Eli's. After this happened three times, Eli realized that it was God calling Samuel and instructed him to respond, saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (I Samuel 3:9).

God's Message to Samuel

When Samuel responded, God delivered a message of judgment, confirming what had been prophesied to Eli earlier. God declared that He was going to bring disaster upon Eli's house because of the sins of his sons and Eli's failure to restrain them.

Samuel's Role as Prophet

In the morning, though reluctant, Samuel told Eli everything God had said. Eli, resigned to God's will, responded, "He is the Lord; let Him do what is good in His eyes" (I Samuel 3:18). From that point forward, Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord, and his reputation grew throughout Israel, as God continued to reveal Himself to Samuel.

The Fall of Eli's House: The Ark is Captured (I Samuel 4:1-22)

I Samuel 4 narrates the fulfillment of the judgment against Eli's house. The Philistines, Israel's long-time enemies, gathered for battle against Israel.

Israel's Defeat and the Loss of the Ark

In a desperate attempt to secure victory, the Israelites took the Ark of the Covenant from the tabernacle at Shiloh and brought it into the battle, thinking it would ensure success. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the Ark. However, instead of bringing victory, the Ark's presence did not help. The Philistines defeated Israel, killing about 30,000 soldiers. As prophesied, Hophni and Phinehas were both killed in the same battle, and the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines.

The Death of Eli

A messenger brought the news of Israel's defeat and the loss of the Ark to Eli, who was 98 years old and nearly blind. Upon hearing that the Ark had been captured, Eli fell backward from his chair, broke his neck, and died. He had judged Israel for 40 years.

The Birth of Ichabod

The tragic events continued when Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, went into labor upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture and the deaths of her husband and father-in-law. She gave birth to a son and named him Ichabod, which means "the glory has departed from Israel," signifying the loss of God's presence due to the capture of the Ark.

In this section, we see the fall of Eli's house as God's judgment comes to pass, and the rise of Samuel, marking a significant transition in Israel's history from a time of priestly corruption to one where the prophetic voice of God through Samuel would lead the nation forward.

3. Capture of the Ark – I Samuel 5–7

The Ark in Philistine Territory (I Samuel 5:1-12)

After the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant in battle, they brought it to the city of Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon.

Dagon Falls Before the Ark

The next morning, the Philistines found their idol, Dagon, fallen on its face before the Ark. They set Dagon back up, but the following day, they found Dagon fallen again, this time with its head and hands broken off (I Samuel 5:4), symbolizing Dagon's powerlessness before the God of Israel.

Plagues in Ashdod

The people of Ashdod were soon struck by a plague of tumors, and the city was overwhelmed with suffering. Realizing the connection to the Ark, they decided to send it to another Philistine city, Gath.

Plagues in Gath and Ekron

When the Ark arrived in Gath, the same plague struck its people, and they, too, sent it away. Finally, when the Ark was sent to Ekron, the people there panicked, fearing that they would also be afflicted. The plague continued, and the people cried out, demanding that the Ark be returned to Israel.

The Philistines Return the Ark (I Samuel 6:1-18)

After seven months of suffering, the Philistine leaders sought a way to return the Ark to Israel. They consulted their priests and diviners, who advised sending the Ark back with a guilt offering of five golden tumors and five golden mice (symbols of the plague) to appease the God of Israel.

The Test of the Cows

The Philistines placed the Ark on a cart pulled by two cows that had never been yoked, along with the guilt offerings. If the cows went directly to Israelite territory, it would confirm that the plagues were caused by the Ark; if not, they would attribute their suffering to coincidence. The cows miraculously went straight to the Israelite town of Beth Shemesh, confirming God's hand in the events (I Samuel 6:12).

The People of Beth Shemesh

The people of Beth Shemesh rejoiced when they saw the Ark and offered sacrifices to God. However, some men of Beth Shemesh looked inside the Ark, which was forbidden, and God struck down 70 of them as a result. Fearing further punishment, the people asked the nearby town of Kiriath Jearim to take the Ark.

The Ark at Kiriath Jearim (I Samuel 7:1-17)

The Ark was taken to the house of Abinadab in Kiriath Jearim, where it remained for 20 years. Abinadab's son, Eleazar, was consecrated to take care of the Ark.

Samuel Leads Israel to Repentance

During this time, Israel mourned and turned back to the Lord. Samuel, now recognized as a leader and prophet, called the people to repentance. He instructed them to put away their foreign gods and Ashtoreths, and to serve the Lord only. The people obeyed, and Samuel gathered them at Mizpah to pray and offer sacrifices.

Victory Over the Philistines

While the Israelites were at Mizpah, the Philistines attacked. However, God intervened with a thunderous sound, causing confusion among the Philistines, and Israel defeated them. This victory marked the beginning of a period of peace between Israel and the Philistines.

Samuel as Judge

Samuel established a regular circuit of visitation, traveling between Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, and his home in Ramah to judge Israel. He also set up a memorial stone, called Ebenezer ("stone of help"), to commemorate God's deliverance.

These chapters highlight the transition from God's judgment on Israel and the Philistines to Israel's renewal under Samuel's leadership, demonstrating the importance of reverence, repentance, and faithfulness to God.

4. Israel Demands a King – I Samuel 8-10

Israel's Demand for a King (I Samuel 8:1-22)

As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges over Israel. However, Samuel's sons were corrupt, taking bribes and perverting justice, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the people.

The Elders' Request

The elders of Israel gathered and came to Samuel at Ramah, demanding, "Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have" (I Samuel 8:5). This request represented a rejection of the system of judges and, more significantly, a rejection of God's kingship over Israel, as He had been their ultimate ruler.

Samuel's Displeasure and God's Response

Samuel was displeased with the people's demand, but after seeking the Lord, God told Samuel to listen to the people. However, God made it clear that this was a rejection of Him as king, not just Samuel's leadership. God instructed Samuel to warn the people about the consequences of having a king.

Samuel's Warning

Samuel relayed God's warning to the people about the realities of a monarchy. He described how a king would take from them—their sons for his army, their daughters as servants, the best of their fields and vineyards, and a tenth of their produce and flocks. They would become subjects of the king, and when they cried out for relief, the Lord would not answer (I Samuel 8:10-18).

Israel's Persistence

Despite the warning, the people insisted, saying, "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles" (I Samuel 8:19-20). God instructed Samuel to grant their request and to appoint a king.

The Selection of Saul (I Samuel 9:1-27)

The narrative shifts to the introduction of Saul, the man chosen by God to be Israel's first king.

Saul's Background

Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel. He was described as tall and handsome, standing out among the people (I Samuel 9:2). Saul's father, Kish, was a wealthy man, and one day, Saul was sent with a servant to search for his father's lost donkeys.

Saul Meets Samuel

After an unsuccessful search for the donkeys, Saul's servant suggested that they visit the seer (prophet) in a nearby town, who could help them find the donkeys. This prophet was Samuel, and God had already revealed to Samuel the day before that Saul would be the man He had chosen to be king (I Samuel 9:15-17).

God's Revelation to Samuel

When Saul approached Samuel, God told Samuel, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people" (I Samuel 9:17). Samuel greeted Saul, informed him that the donkeys had been found, and invited him to a meal as an honored guest.

Samuel Anoints Saul in Private

The next morning, Samuel took Saul aside and privately anointed him as the first king of Israel by pouring oil on his head. Samuel told Saul that God had chosen him to lead His people and gave him specific signs that would confirm his kingship (I Samuel 10:1-8).

The Public Confirmation of Saul as King (I Samuel 10:1-27)

The Signs Given to Saul

As Samuel had foretold, Saul experienced several confirming signs on his journey home:

• He met two men near Rachel's tomb who told him that the donkeys had been found (I Samuel 10:2).
• He met three men going to worship at Bethel who gave him bread (I Samuel 10:3-4).
• He encountered a group of prophets, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him powerfully, causing him to prophesy with them (I Samuel 10:5-6).

Saul's Transformation

After these signs, Saul was transformed by God, and "God changed Saul's heart" (I Samuel 10:9). However, despite these signs, Saul kept the matter of his anointing a secret from his family.

Saul Publicly Chosen as King: Samuel gathered all the people of Israel at Mizpah for the public selection of the king. Samuel reminded the people of how they had rejected God by demanding a king.

Then, using the method of casting lots, Saul was chosen from the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri, and finally Saul himself (I Samuel 10:20-21). However, when Saul's name was drawn, he was hiding among the supplies, demonstrating his initial reluctance and humility.

The People's Reaction

When Saul was brought forward and stood head and shoulders above the people, Samuel declared, "There is no one like him among all the people," and the people shouted, "Long live the king!" (I Samuel 10:24).

Opposition to Saul

While many of the people accepted Saul as king, there were some who despised him, questioning his ability to save Israel. However, Saul remained silent and did not respond to his critics (I Samuel 10:27).

This section marks the end of the era of the judges and the beginning of the monarchy in Israel, as Saul is chosen to be the nation's first king under God's direction, though the people's request for a king comes with a warning about the potential dangers of human kings.

Key Lesson:
Trust in God's leadership above human solutions.

Throughout these chapters, the Israelites' decision to seek a king reveals a broader lesson: reliance on human leadership can lead to flawed outcomes, but God's leadership is perfect and trustworthy. When we prioritize God's guidance and seek His will, we can avoid many of the pitfalls that come from worldly thinking and solutions.