Introduction

The book of Samuel is where we see the transition from the time of the judges and into the time of kings. The judges were marked by the lack of consistent guidance by human rulers, leading men to fall away from the Law given to them by the Lord. We see consistently mentioned that in the time of judges there was no king in the land, and each did according to what their heart desired. This comes to a point in chapters 17-21, where we see the depths of religious corruption and moral corruption leading to civil war. This pain in Israel foreshadows the need for a king. 

There is a need for a king for several reasons. A king would provide a consistent rule of law that would, in theory, prevent some of the corruption that Israel was experiencing. By having a king, you would not see the need for a civil war, but rather those doing evil would be dealt with. A king also would be seen as the leader of a military, uniting Israel against enemy forces. 

But God allowed Israel to have a king for another reason. The reason that God did not install a king from the beginning was because from the exodus on, God was to be king over Israel and they would be his people. This only lasts for as long as good leaders in Israel pointed the people back to God. This began to fall apart in the time of Judges. By God establishing a king over Israel, he was doing so that through a human king God would establish himself as king eternally over Israel. He shows this, as we will see, by selecting David over Saul. Saul, who is blessed by God, has his blessing taken from him and passed to David. And it is through David that God chooses to give the eternal dynasty in which his own Son will be inserted into. This kingship, then, is instituted as a way to direct people back to the true King, God himself. 

That is the main theme of Samuel: that God’s kingship be recognized and put in the forefront of our minds. We also will see the providence of God on display moving in history. We also will see glimpses of Jesus and the Messianic promise sprinkled throughout. 

We must recognize that this book is much more than just a recording of history. It is not just the telling of the rise and fall of the first king of Israel; succeeded by another who will be chosen as the ancestor of an eternal dynasty. This is not about human kingship at all. This is a cosmic enthronement of the one true King, and the seed planted for that King to claim his throne here on earth as he is also seated in the heavens. 

It is my prayer that through the reading of this book, we will allow God to take his rightful place as King of our hearts.