1) This first chapter focuses on two very simple themes – the deep
distress of a woman at even the concept of “not having borne a son”, and God’s
favor in granting the request of a desperate woman.
2) God
blesses the obedient (Hannah) and punishes the disobedient (the sons of
Eli). In previous books the leaders were
mostly obedient while the people were disobedient – now it is the priests
themselves who are acting against God. Strangely,
verse 10 refers to the king in the present tense, though there is no king in
Hannah’s time.
3) Samuel is clearly chosen by God, Eli and his family again clearly condemned. A continuation on the theme of God raising up the lowly and unlikely, and God’s clear action through Samuel.
4) The depth of Israel’s sin is emphasized dramatically when the ark not only fails to help them in battle, but is itself captured. Eli is described as 40 years a judge, not quite what he’s been portrayed as until now.
5) The previous failure is clearly shown to be Israel’s, and not God’s, as the ark of God makes clear demonstrations of its power over other gods. While the Philistines were used as God’s tool to punish the Israelites, it is made very clear that this does mean they themselves were righteous.
6) The Philistines are forced to acknowledge the power of Israel’s God and humiliate themselves, again showing that the failure in battle and capture of the ark was Israel’s failure, not God’s failure. Philistine priests know the Exodus story (from a distant land 500 years earlier) remarkably well. For some reason the people of Jeconiah do not take part in Israel’s joy.
7) Samuel brings the people together to true repentance, and through God’s power Israel is now victorious in battle, completing once again the common pattern. Samuel breaks the recent downward trend by showing himself to be a good and capable judge.
8) Samuel’s sons fail to judge justly as Samuel did, as a result the people sinfully demand a king. God tells Samuel to give into their wishes, but paints a terrible picture of what having a king over them will mean.
9) Saul, a somewhat unlikely but also traditionally “tall and beautiful” candidate, is chosen by God via Samuel to become king.
10) Samuel anoints Saul as king, God’s hand is unambiguously in the decision, though the very act of asking for a king is still portrayed as a rejection of God’s authority. Saul’s suitedness for such a role continues to be ambiguous. The king of the Ammonites is set up as a looming enemy.
3) Samuel is clearly chosen by God, Eli and his family again clearly condemned. A continuation on the theme of God raising up the lowly and unlikely, and God’s clear action through Samuel.
4) The depth of Israel’s sin is emphasized dramatically when the ark not only fails to help them in battle, but is itself captured. Eli is described as 40 years a judge, not quite what he’s been portrayed as until now.
5) The previous failure is clearly shown to be Israel’s, and not God’s, as the ark of God makes clear demonstrations of its power over other gods. While the Philistines were used as God’s tool to punish the Israelites, it is made very clear that this does mean they themselves were righteous.
6) The Philistines are forced to acknowledge the power of Israel’s God and humiliate themselves, again showing that the failure in battle and capture of the ark was Israel’s failure, not God’s failure. Philistine priests know the Exodus story (from a distant land 500 years earlier) remarkably well. For some reason the people of Jeconiah do not take part in Israel’s joy.
7) Samuel brings the people together to true repentance, and through God’s power Israel is now victorious in battle, completing once again the common pattern. Samuel breaks the recent downward trend by showing himself to be a good and capable judge.
8) Samuel’s sons fail to judge justly as Samuel did, as a result the people sinfully demand a king. God tells Samuel to give into their wishes, but paints a terrible picture of what having a king over them will mean.
9) Saul, a somewhat unlikely but also traditionally “tall and beautiful” candidate, is chosen by God via Samuel to become king.
10) Samuel anoints Saul as king, God’s hand is unambiguously in the decision, though the very act of asking for a king is still portrayed as a rejection of God’s authority. Saul’s suitedness for such a role continues to be ambiguous. The king of the Ammonites is set up as a looming enemy.
11)
Under the spirit of God Saul leads the Israelites to victory against a
terrifying enemy, cementing his calling in the eyes of the people.
12) Samuel’s farewell address is used to emphasize that Samuel has been a good judge, that God can protect His people Himself but the Israelites sinfully asked for a king anyway, and that Israel will be blessed if they (and their king) obey God, but cursed if they disobey.
13) Jonathan wins a battle, but then there is conflict between Saul and Samuel as Saul fails to follow Samuel’s instructions for sacrifice (not without reason). God rejects Saul and fails to establish his kingdom forever due to his failure to obey. The Israelites prepare for battle, but are clearly way overmatched.
12) Samuel’s farewell address is used to emphasize that Samuel has been a good judge, that God can protect His people Himself but the Israelites sinfully asked for a king anyway, and that Israel will be blessed if they (and their king) obey God, but cursed if they disobey.
13) Jonathan wins a battle, but then there is conflict between Saul and Samuel as Saul fails to follow Samuel’s instructions for sacrifice (not without reason). God rejects Saul and fails to establish his kingdom forever due to his failure to obey. The Israelites prepare for battle, but are clearly way overmatched.
14) A very ambiguous passage for Saul. Jonathan goes to face the Philistines without help, is successful, leading to a route of the Philistines by Israel’s full army. Saul leads troops to victory, but only due to Jonathan’s actions, and he makes a misguided oath in the process with multiple negative consequences. Saul goes on to more victories, rescuing Israel valiantly, yet his weaknesses remain clear.
15) Saul utterly destroys the Amelekites as punishment for something that happened hundreds of years earlier. However, he fails to destroy all their animals as the Lord commanded, thus God and Samuel reject his kingship.
16) God chooses David, an unlikely choice, as the next king, and His Spirit leaves Saul. Saul is tormented by an evil spirit sent from God, though the presence of David (who he does not know has been anointed as king) comforts him.
17) David reintroduced (to both the reader and to Saul), and becomes an exceedingly unlikely opponent for the Philistine’s champion. With surprising ambition and by relying on God to defeat the unworthy enemy, David emerges victorious and the Israelites follow him in victory.
18) As David becomes more and more successful and beloved by the people, Saul becomes more and more jealous, conniving to destroy him somehow. Strangely, that process results in Saul’s son Jonathan loving David and Saul giving his daughter to David in marriage.
19) Saul’s jealously of David builds again, and only action by Saul’s children keeps David alive. Later, God supernaturally intervenes to keep Saul and his men from killing David.
20) Jonathan and David become as close as friends can be, while it becomes clear that Saul will seek David’s life until one of the two is dead.
21) David takes to odd deception in order to try to stay alive while on the run from Saul.
23) God is with David as David works for Israel’s good welfare. Saul is completely preoccupied only with trying to kill David.
24) David spares Saul’s life, Saul realizes God is with David and he will be the king.
25) Samuel dies. David is ready to slaughter Nabal’s people because they didn’t feed his men on a feast day, Abigail, Nabal’s wife, intelligently interferes. Nabal is struck down by God, and David woos and marries Abigail, along with another woman.
26) Saul forgets his clemency and attempts to kill David again, God protects David again, David spares Saul’s life again, Saul repents again.
27) Out of fear for Saul, David chooses to serve a Philistine king, even making raids and committing mass murder against various enemies of Israel, while lying to the Philistine and telling him he is raiding Israelities.
28) David lies and is made a bodyguard for life for the Philistine king. Saul’s fear of the Philistines and lack of connection to God leads him to consult a medium, where he is able to connect to Samuel, who once again condemns him.
29) Because the other Philistines don’t trust David, he is able to avoid entering war against the Israelites, though he may have used to opportunity to double-cross the Philistines.
30) David retaliates to a raid by the Amalekites (which was in retaliation for one of his own raids anyway) and achieves a clear victory with God’s blessing.
31) Saul and his sons are killed by the Philistines, with David away and unawares.
Summary: 1 Samuel is an ambiguous period in Israel’s history. God chooses a righteous prophet and judge (Samuel) who serves the people well, but the Israelites insist on a king, against God’s advice to them. God chooses Saul, who leads Israel to some victories but also displays massive shortcomings. God’s authority over events is still clear, but frequently the people or leaders choose paths that lead to their own destruction. God appoints David, who appears much better, to replace Saul, but as the book ends Saul has died in failure and David has not yet ascended to his place.
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