Samuel

Cami Sue "My Jonathan"

The original readers of Samuel would be the Israelites. Samuel contains a few references of it being written long ago and this leads me to believe the original readers were Israelites many years later. “Now in those days…” is one example.(1 Samuel 3:1) This book shows the Israelites history of their nation turning into a monarchy under kings. I believe evidence pointing to the original readers being Israelites is that the main characters (Saul, Samuel, David, Jonathan) are Israelites themselves.

It says Samuel wrote it down on a scroll. I think Samuel was authored and compiled by a group of prophets. The voices of the prophets are exemplified throughout Samuel. I also think Samuel was one of the prophets to write this. He would have been a close friend of David and known his poems to be able to quote them in 2 Samuel 22-23:1-7. It also says Samuel took the duties of a king and “…wrote them down on a scroll and placed it before the Lord.”(1 Samuel 10:25)

A repeated phrase I see throughout Samuel is “...anointed one…”(1 Samuel 24:6,10) This represents an idea seen in the book that God anoints leaders, but regardless of anointing they are still judged by their obedience to God.(1 Samuel 15:22)  We see Saul’s time as king comes to an end because has not “…kept the Lords commands.”(1 Samuel 13:14) I love when God shares what he is looking for in a king. Simply desiring “…a man after his own heart…”(1 Samuel 13:14) to lead His people. Samuel is about a kingdom being established in Israel and the mercy of God to give Israel what they desire, a king to rule.

Samuel was written to a group of Israelites living in disobedience to God and desiring a king. First Samuel 11:1-18 shows the negative consequences of having a king; this would be a warning to Israel. Samuel would also be an example to a godless generation of Israelites to remember how simple it is to have God on your side. An example of this is when Samuel tells the Israelites “…If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”(1 Samuel 7:3) Also, the characters and juicy details of their lives in this book support this idea of God teaching future Israelites to live holy and obediently with Him. For example, Hannah exemplifies a woman of faith in the Lord.(1 Samuel 1-2) David would reveal a lot about obedience and a repentive heart and how God blesses such a man.

In Samuel God reveals himself as a jealous God, full of justice. Although God loves the Israelites,  when they rebel he punishes them and judges their sin.(1 Samuel 2:10) Another time we see this perfect jealousy justice is when David commits adultery with Bathsheba and murders her husband Uriah.(2 Samuel 12) As a result, God caused David’s household to rebel against him, his baby with Bathsheba to die, and his wives will be taken by another man in public view.(2 Samuel 12:11-14) In 1^st Samuel 9:5-17 the Israelites desire to be like other nations and have a king. In Gods mercy he warns them of the negative burden a king will put upon them, but they insist. God is merciful to give them a king, a raises up Saul in perfect time to deliverer them from the Philistines.

In the book of Samuel I saw Jesus foreshadowed twice. “He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one.”(1 Samuel 2:10) This power would be given to the line of David and the scepter that will be passed to the true anointed Savior and king to come: Jesus! Also 1^st Samuel chapter two a question is asked that shows the desire to have Jesus, a mediator between and us Jesus. “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?”(I Samuel 2:25)

I was struck with excitement and reverence for the power of God in 1 Samuel 14:6 where it says: “…nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” Sometimes when I begin dreaming with the Lord about changing the world and broken people encountering the love of God I find myself discouraged. I doubt his greatness and look to my own strength and ability. But this verse speaks powerfully that not even my disbelief can hinder Gods great plans and that he has the victory if the warrior are few, or just me! I also really understand the special bond of friendship between Saul and David, shown in 1^st Samuel 18:1-4. My heart swells with thankfulness to the Lord that He has given me an incredible friendship and best friend. It says so much of God that He provides friends we can share deeply with the sorrows, joys, boredom, and victories of life with! I will forever cherish my Cami Sue and be thankful for her!

“You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.” 1 Samuel 12:20-22 This verse would be a powerful, encouraging verse to women who are oppressed and seeking new life and idenitity in Christ. It speaks of a understanding of forgiveness, releasing all shame and not looking back. Looking forward and fully setting our eyes on Jesus. It extols women to not return to a life of captivity and giving yourself over to idols and worship that will not heal you or give you hope.  Women who are oppressed or abused would find security in the Lord if they knew of his constant love and the truth that it is outside Gods character to ever leave us!