The Writings of 1 Samuel

What would it look like to be devoted to God at a young age, and to choose to stay with God throughout life? Imagine a young person who wanted to find God with all their heart, and once they found Him, they decided they were all in and didn’t turn away from God’s path for their life. They are dedicated to holiness, and they choose to allow their life to be set apart for God. Wisdom and lessons learned in their youth don’t just follow them throughout life, they actually build on each other. It’s a life of growth and increase. If you just closed your eyes and tried to think about the kind of life that would be, you can picture the life of Samuel. 

Samuel was placed in a special position where he led God’s people in a time of change.  Samuel was the last of the judges, and he was the first of the prophets.  He was dedicated to the Lord by his mother at a young age, and he stayed committed to the Lord throughout his life.  Although 1 Samuel does tell us the story of the man the book is named after, it includes the story of two other men as well.  Samuel anointed the first two Kings of Israel, first Saul, and then David. Both men were chosen by God as King over Israel but only one was truly a man after God’s own heart. 

1 Samuel shows us the life and reign of Saul, and the consequences that happened when Saul began to follow what seemed good to him, but not what God told him to do.  Saul’s act of disobedience may not seem too bad to us: he offered sacrifices on his own instead of waiting for Samuel as God told him to do.  Saul’s heart was turned from God when he offered sacrifices on his own.  His heart had slowly begun to let pride in.  When Samuel arrived and saw that Saul had finished offering sacrifices, his response reveals the seriousness of what Saul had done.  He tells Saul that now his descendants would no longer rule over Israel but that God would choose a man after His own heart.  Samuel would then anoint King David who would also lead the lineage of Jesus Christ, the King that will reign forever. This isn’t the last time we will see Saul do what he feels to be the best thing instead of doing what God asked him to do.  As Saul became more prideful, he continued to overrule what God told him to do. The consequences will cost Saul everything.

1 Samuel shows us contrasting pictures. One shows us a picture of humility, and what seeking God in every situation looks like, and the other shows us a picture of what pride and jealousy can do to a person. The first posture will elevate a man beyond his position, from a shepherd to a King. The second will lead a man to his downfall, from a King to his death.  When Saul was anointed as King, he was described as being set apart from the other men. He was tall and handsome, and he stood out from the crowd. When Samuel anointed David as King, he was described as handsome, but he was also described as being rugged, weathered, and young. He was a shepherd in the fields.  God is showing everyone that He doesn’t look at what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside. God values and seeks a pure heart more than anything else. 

Ultimately, this book has it all:  grief and barrenness that led to a miracle, a child who hears God speaking to Him, the rise to power of the first King of Israel, the words of God being spoken through a prophet, pride and self-promotion, power stripped away from a ruling King, a shepherd being anointed as the new King, and that same shepherd fighting a giant. We see what a loyal and true friendship looks like, and we also see betrayal. There are chase scenes, and also moments where revenge could be taken, but is not. It is an action packed book that is full of the emotions that come with meaningful human relationships. As you begin to read 1 Samuel, get ready to not only read a book of great adventure, but also one of great depth. 1 Samuel will teach lessons along the way, and reveal to us what God values.