1 Samuel

Lesson 9 of 66: The Book of 1 Samuel

The Kingdom is Born: The Transition to Monarchy

The Book of 1 Samuel is one of the most pivotal narratives in the Old Testament. It bridges the gap between the chaos of the Judges—where everyone did what was right in their own eyes—and the beginning of the monarchy.

It is the story of how God raised up three central figures—Samuel, Saul, and David—to give Israel a stable kingdom, demonstrating that God is the true source of leadership.

I. The Rise of Samuel: The Last Judge (Chapters 1–8)

The book opens with the moving story of Hannah, who was unable to have children. She dedicates her promised son, Samuel, to God's service. Samuel grows up serving under the High Priest Eli, and God calls him to be the last great Judge and the first major Prophet of Israel. He is the transitional figure, ushering out the lawless era of the Judges through righteous leadership.

However, the people grow tired of God's direct, invisible rule. Looking around at the pagan nations, they demand a human king to "govern us like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). God views this request as a rejection of His rule (1 Samuel 8:7), but He grants their request, warning them of the high price they will pay for relying on human power.

II. The Tragedy of King Saul (Chapters 9–15)

In response to the people's desire, God directs Samuel to anoint Saul, a man chosen for his external qualities—he was handsome and "head and shoulders taller than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:2). Saul starts well, but his reign quickly descends into tragedy due to two critical, defining failures:

1. Usurping the Priesthood: Saul grows impatient while waiting for Samuel to offer a sacrifice before a battle. He performs the sacrifice himself, a duty reserved only for a priest. For this act of pride and disobedience, Samuel rebukes him, declaring, "Your kingdom will not endure" (1 Samuel 13:14).

2. Partial Obedience: Later, God commands Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul disobeys by saving the best sheep and the king. Samuel delivers the fatal verdict that defines the prophetic ministry: "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22). Saul is rejected by God.

III. The Rise of King David (Chapters 16–31)

While Saul is still ruling, God sends Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint a new king. God chooses the youngest son, a simple shepherd boy named David, stating the book’s greatest theological lesson: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

David’s fame begins with his astonishing, faithful victory over the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17), proving that his strength came from his faith in the living God of Israel. David is brought into Saul’s court, but Saul’s insecurity and jealousy turn into a murderous rage.

The latter half of the book chronicles the desperate flight of David as he is pursued by the mad king. Throughout this ordeal, David consistently refuses to harm Saul, twice sparing his life, showing his complete trust in God’s timing and God's sovereignty to establish him as king. The book ends with the tragic defeat and death of King Saul, clearing the way for God's chosen king.

Applying the Truth Today

1 Samuel is a powerful lesson in leadership and loyalty. It teaches us that God prioritizes the internal character of the heart (David) over external appearance or human approval (Saul). It challenges us to choose wholehearted obedience over religious rituals and outward shows.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. Saul’s great sin was prideful impatience. Where in your life are you struggling to wait on God's timing, causing you to take matters into your own hands?

2. God looks at the heart. What is one attitude or hidden motivation that you need to surrender to God, knowing that He values your character more than your public achievements?

3. Obedience is better than sacrifice. What seemingly small area of God's instruction are you currently ignoring because you think your religious activity (your "sacrifice") will make up for it?

Your Reading Guide

To grasp the arc of this transition, begin by reading the moment of the people's fateful choice and God's warning in 1 Samuel 8:4–7.

Next, read the central theological verse of the entire book, which defines the failure of Saul, in 1 Samuel 15:22–23 ("To obey is better than sacrifice").

Then, read the pivotal moment of God's selection of David in 1 Samuel 16:7. Finally, read the legendary account of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45–47 to see the difference between a king chosen by man and a man relying on God.