Samuel

1
Samuel

• Originally one book, split in two by the
  Septuaigint
• 1 Samuel chronicles the biographies of three
  principal characters Samuel, the last judge,
  Saul the first king, David, founder of a dynasty
  which lasted three centuries.

2
Samuel - Deuteronomic History

• 1. D spoke of a future king of Israel (1714-20)
  and gave guidelines. Israel did ask for a king
  (D 1714, 1 Sam. 85, 20) Stipulations were
• King should not amass too much wealth and power
  (D 1716-17 1 Sam. 810-18)
• King must obey the written word of God (D
  1718-19 1 Sam. 1025)

3
JerusalemA Place of Rest for Israel

• Deut. promised rest from enemies (1212), and a
  place to worship (121-14, 20-25)
• In Samuel, a permanent temple is initially
  discussed (2 Sam 71-2)
• The choice of Jerusalem is tied to Gods choice
  of David. The house of David and house of God
  are the concern of the rest of the Old Testament.

4
Theological Tension in Samuel

• Now that Israel relies on a monarchy, possession
  of the land will rely on the king. (2 Sam
  710-11) Will the kingship help Israel to hold
  the land?
• God promises David that his his descendents will
  forever sit on his throne (2 Sam. 716, 29), but
  the story of the Kings seems to suggest
  otherwise.

5
Gospel and Kingdom

• Both Saul and David are chosen by God, but David
  is described as a man after Gods own heart (1
  Sam. 1314) The difference was a heart full of
  faith (Deut. 65 Mk. 1230)
• David is a good shepherd, but not the good
  shepherd (1 Sam. 1734-5 vs. 2 Sam. 2414,17). We
  must look for another shepherd (Jn. 1011) and
  another anointed one, the Messiah.

6
The Kings

• Written during the period of the Exile (586-539
  B.C.)
• The book(s) describes the division of Israel into
  the Northern and Southern kingdoms (930-722 B.C.)
• The book of Kings is a theodicy which explains
  why disaster has befallen Judah.

7
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

• Solomon starts well (wisdom, 36ff), (temple,
  5ff), but does not finish well (700 wives, 300
  concubines, 111-3).
• As a result, a rebellion arises, and Jeroboam is
  promised by the prophet Ahijah that he will rule
  10 tribes in Israel, 1129-31, 37-39.
• The kingdom splits after Solomon, with Rehoboam
  ruling only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and
  Jeroboam ruling Israel, in the North.

8
Why Did All of This Happen?

• The kingdom divided and fell because of a
  consistent breaking of the covenant as learned in
  Deuteronomy by the kings of Israel and Judah.
• 1. Where to Worship (Deut. 12) Jereboam diverts
  attention away from Jerusalem, building altars in
  Dan and Bethel. (1 Kings 1225-30)
• 2. The Monarchy (Deut. 17) Kings are to teach the
  word of God and lead in covenant renewal. They
  dont.
• 3. The truth of prophecy God is sovereign (Deut.
  189-22) When Israel disobeys, the kingdom
  crumbles.

9
Why, cont.

• 3. Fulfillment of Curses for Covenant breaking
  (Deut. 28) God keeps his promise to ruin Israel
  for not keeping the covenant. The Exile should
  come as a surprise to no one.
• A notable exception to the rule Josiah (2 Ki.
  2211-20)

10
Kings You Need to Know

• David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam
• Omri (Israel) - Stabilizes the government and
  builds a capital in Samaria.
• Ahab and Jezebel (Israel) Ahab is Omris son.
  During Ahabs reign, Baalism becomes the national
  religion, and Mosaic faith is judged to be no
  longer viable (1 Kings 1629-33)

11
Kings (and prophets) You need to Know 2

• Elijah - prophet whose name means Yahweh is my
  God. He predicts a great drought (1 Kings
  171). The drought happens. His challenge on
  Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal (1 Ki.
  1816-40) shows that God lives and hears, but
  Baal does not.
• Uzziah (Judah) is a refreshing but temporary
  reprive from wickedness (1 Ki. 151-7)

12
Kings You Need to Know 3

• Hezekiah (Judah) realizes only God can save Judah
  from the fate which befell Israel (2 Ki.
  1017-19). God responds by routing the Assyrians
  and protecting Jerusalem (2 Ki. 1932-36).
• Josiahs reforms a return to the Deuteronomic
  pattern.