Renewing the Covenant

The Book of I Samuel

Ray of Hope Christian Church

February 28, 2012

I Samuel 8

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

The Book of First Samuel heads what some call the “three double Books of the Old Testament” – I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, I and II Chronicles. These three double books form the record of the rise and fall of the Israelite monarchy.

I and II Samuel was divided into two parts by the translators of the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament).

Three Names for Samuel

• I and II Book of Kingdoms • I and II Kings (Vulgate) • I and II Samuel (Hebrew

Tradition and Modern Versions)

The Central message of the book is

“The people demand a king—

choosing less than God’s best. ”

Theme and Purpose of I Samuel

• Kingship and Covenant • Theocracy to Monarchy• Reveal the Drama of Israel

The Purpose and Theme of I Samuel

• Suspense• Rejection• Betrayal• Murder• Witchcraft

• Disobedience

• Neglect• Lies• Fugitive• Favoritism

Theology of I Samuel: Kingship of God

God is the King of the Universe; no

human king can assume kingship except

as deputy of the divine King!

Theology of I Samuel: Kingship of God

• He is sovereign not only over Israel but also over the Philistines

• I Samuel 7:13 (the hand of the Lord was heavy upon the Philistines)

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Providential

Guidance

Romans 8:28

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Providential

GuidanceGod is the One who guidedprovidentially the lives of the

Godchosen individuals.

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Providential

Guidance• Hannah – I Samuel 1: God uses

the hardship in Hannah’s relation with Peninnah

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Providential

Guidance• Saul – I Samuel 9: God

manages Saul’s donkey-searching journey to lead to the encounter with the prophet Samuel

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Providential

Guidance• David – David’s chore of bringing

food to his brothers in Valley of Elah during the war enables him to see Goliath and later defeat the Philistine (I Samuel 17)

The biblical witness is full of ordinary people used

by God.

That means YOU TOO!

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Sovereign Will and

Power

• I Samuel 2:1-10

Theology of I Samuel: God’s Sovereign Will and

PowerHumanly impossible matters are in

factdivinely possible and hence

challengeus to put our faith on the One who

issovereign over the entire creation.

Outline of I Samuel: Samuel Narrative – Chapters

1- 8• The ministry of Samuel marks the

beginning of the prophetic ministry office. There were those before on whom the mantle of prophecy had fallen, i.e. Moses – Deut. 18:18

Outline of I Samuel: Samuel Narrative – Chapters

1- 8• Scripture indicates that the

prophetic order was founded by Samuel

• 3:20; 10:5; 19:18-24• Acts 3:24, Acts 13:30, Hebrews

11:32

Outline of I Samuel: Samuel Narrative – Chapters

1- 8• The Ark Narrative – Chapters 4-6• Narrative reveals the folly of

Israel’s notion that possession of the ark automatically guaranteed victory of over her enemies

Outline of I Samuel: Saul Narrative – Chapters

9- 15 The Human King is the instrument of

the Lord’s rule over his people and the people as well as the king were to continue to recognize the Lord as their ultimate Sovereign King of Israel was a theocratic office

Outline of I Samuel: Saul Narrative – Chapters

9- 15 Disobedience and

unrepentence will always lead to a fall – I Samuel 13, 15

Outline of I Samuel: David Narrative – Chapters

16- 31 David chosen by the Lord – 16:1-11• David anointed to be King 16:12-13

– The anointing came years before the exaltation. The anointing began the process or ascent to the throne

Outline of I Samuel: David Narrative – Chapters

16- 31

David meets Goliath 17:31-54

Outline of I Samuel: David Narrative – Chapters

16- 31

Jonathan, Saul’s son, loved David – Chapter 18

Outline of I Samuel: David Narrative – Chapters

16- 31 This was a time of testing and

preparation for David. He has been threatened by Saul and found refuge among the Philistines (Sovereignty of God)