Introduction to 1–2 Samuel

The book of Judges shows the depths of moral and spiritual chaos to which the people of God fell in the days of the judges, even though there were rays of hope here and there and moments of deliverance. The book of Judges ends with a concluding assessment: “In those days there was no king in Israel.” This is the setting for the books of 1-2 Samuel: God will now provide a king—David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14). However, before he does that, he lets the people try to set up their own king, Saul, who ends up being a failure, thus paving the way for God’s king. Just as Exodus is a key book in the unfolding history of redemption (focused on the exodus and the Mosaic Covenant), so 1-2 Samuel is a key book (focused on the rise of the monarchy and the Davidic Covenant).

First and Second Samuel form a single continuous narrative. There is no major break at the beginning of 2 Samuel—1 Sam 31 narrates Saul’s death, and 2 Sam 1 continues the narrative with David receiving the report of Saul’s death and lamenting the death of Saul and Jonathan. The book was originally a single work that was later divided into two (possibly because its length made it more practical to use two scrolls).

The story begins with Samuel, shows us how Saul became king, then how God rejected Saul because of his sin, how David was anointed by Samuel and rose to prominence, then David’s reign, and then his sin and its consequences.

Outline of 1–2 Samuel

ESV Study Bible

1. The Story of Samuel (1 Sam 1–7)
2. Transition to Monarchy (1 Sam 8)
3. The Story of Saul (1 Sam 9–15)
4. The Story of Saul and David (1 Sam 16–31)
5. The Story of King David (2 Sam 1–20)
6. Epilogue (2 Sam 21–24)

Themes and Typology of 1–2 Samuel

1. The contrast between Saul and David. What is God looking for in a king? Not mere external appearance (stature, the physical prowess of the warrior, good looks) but a heart that is obedient to God. David is not perfect by any means, but his heart is oriented to the Lord, specifically to the worship of God in the sanctuary.
2. The sufferings of David when he was persecuted by Saul. This section of the narrative provides the background for the laments of David in the Psalms. See the introduction to the Psalms. “The sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”

New Testament Use of 1–2 Samuel

1-2 Samuel	New Testament
1 Sam 13:14: Samuel to Saul: “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you” (ESV).	Acts 13:22: “And when he had removed (Saul), he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will’” (ESV).
2 Sam 7:14: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.”	2 Cor 6:18 (applied to believers—we are God’s sons and daughters). Heb 1:5 (tied with Psalm 2:7 and applied to Christ as the divine Son).
2 Sam 22:50 (= Ps 18:49): “Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations (Gentiles), and sing praises to your name.”	Rom 15:9 — Paul uses this verse to support his larger argument about Gentile inclusion in the people of God and in God’s fulfillment of the patriarchal promises (see Rom 11:17, 25-26; 15:8).
General references	Acts 3:24: “And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.” Acts 13:20: “All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.” Heb 11:32: “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.”