Sermon Notes
1 and 2 Samuel
1. Time frame: From Samuel’s birth (1100) to the end of David’s kingship (970).
2. Overall theme: ________________ .
A. 1 Samuel depicts transition from theocracy to monarchy.
B. 2 Samuel depicts David’s dynasty as king.
3. Three key characters:
A. Samuel (1 Samuel 1-7) – the last judge; anoints first two kings over Israel.
B. Saul (1 Samuel 8-15) – Israel’s first king.
C. ________________ (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 24) – Israel’s second and most important king.
4. Key verse: 1 Samuel 15:22 –“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
5. Look for how the King of Israel was expected to be ________________ to the covenant.
A. Saul’s disobedience to the covenant – 1 Samuel 15.
B. David’s obedience to the covenant – 2 Samuel 7.
6. Pay attention to the ________________ in 1 and 2 Samuel:
A. From the rule of periodic judges to a more permanent monarchy;
B. From a typical worldly expectation of a king to a king that is loyal to the Lord;
C. From no central place of where God’s name dwells to a new center in Jerusalem.
7. Even as a king after God’s heart, David’s life demonstrates the need for another King who will come in purity and absolute loyalty to the Lord.
A. His kingly ________________ is described in one chapter (8).
B. His kingly ________________ and its effects are described over eleven chapters (10-20).
The United Monarchy: 1 and 2 Samuel
I. Three Levels of Narrative
A. Top Level – Bible Story as a Whole
B. Middle Level – Individual Blocks of Material
C. Lower Level – Particular Stories, Pericopes
II. The Kingdom of Saul
III. Orienting Data for 1 and 2 Samuel
A. Content
1. Transition from Samuel to Saul
2. Rise and tumultuous reign of David
B. Author
C. Date of Composition
D. Historical Coverage
E. Emphases
1. Continuation of God’s plan of redemption
2. Need to change from judges to monarchy
3. Samuel’s good service
4. Danger from the Philistines
5. Saul’s tragic reign
6. Hopeful rise of David
7. God’s protection of his people
8. Need for a good king
9. The Messianic “Davidic Covenant”
10. Completion of the conquest
11. The choice of Jerusalem
12. Consequences of David’s adultery
13. Rebellions against David
14. Initial plans for a temple
IV. Overview
A. 1 Samuel 1-7 – Samuel
B. 1 Samuel 8-15 – Samuel and Saul
C. 1 Samuel 16-31 – David and Saul
D. 2 Samuel – David alone
The United Monarchy: Three Kings
I. David
II. Saul
A. Ish-bosheth – “Man of Shame”
B. Ish-baal – “Man of Baal”
C. Saul a syncretist.
III. Solomon
A. Solomon a Syncretist
B. “After God’s Own Heart”
IV. Redemption
A. 1 Samuel 1
B. Buying back the firstborn
C. Redemption: God buys us back
V. Covenant Renewal Speech
A. 1 Samuel 12
B. Other Examples
1. Preamble/Prologue
2. Stipulations
3. Sanctions
4. Document Clause
5. Witnesses
C. The New Covenant Renewal
The United Monarchy: 1 and 2 Samuel
I. Saul Rejected As King
A. Total Annihilation of the Amalekites Required
B. What’s So Bad About the Amalekites
1. Israel’s First Enemy
2. Unprovoked Attack on Israel
C. Saul Fails to Follow Through
D. Spirit Departs Saul, Injurious Spirit Enters
II. Ruah
A. Possible Meanings
B. Possibly Angel
III. Witch of Endor
A. Saul seeks help.
B. “Lady who owns a pit.”
C. God shows them Samuel.
D. End of the line for Saul.
1 Samuel
A. Setting for 1 & 2 Samuel
B. Outline of 1 Samuel
1. Samuel’s Career (1–8)
2. Saul as Israel’s King (9–15)
3. David Becomes King (16–31)
C. Concluding Thoughts on Saul’s Life and Work
