The Strand Study Bible

I SAMUEL Author: Unknown author (perhaps Gad, or Nathan - I Chro 29:29, or Jasher - II Sam 1:18) Theme: The Price of Rejecting God’s Leadership - dictatorship and bondage Book’s Main Characters: Samuel, King Saul, and young David

About the Book: The book of I Samuel records for us the lives of three men: Samuel , King Saul , and young David . I Samuel is a continuation of the book of Judges, making Samuel and Samson (Judg 13-16) contemporaries. Because of Samuel, Israel became a stronger, more united nation. But as Samuel grew old, Israel slid into a state of discontent and demanded a king. God chose Saul as Israel’s first king, but Saul’s disobedience caused God to choose yet another king, young David. I Samuel begins with the birth of Samuel and ends with the death of Saul. The book of I Samuel covers approximately 85 years (from 1135-1050 BC). Notes of Interest: 1. I Samuel is not quoted in the NT. 2. Prophecies are referred to 20 times in I Samuel . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 4 of those 20 times. 4. There are 27 inset maps used in the book of I Samuel . They are numbered chronologically (#117, 124-131,132-135,136-143,145-150). Outline of I Samuel : 1. Samuel - prophet and judge (I Sam 1-7) 2. Saul - Israel’s first king (I Sam 8-15) 3. David - anointing and early life (I Sam 16-31) I Samuel 1 Elkanah and his family worship yearly in Shiloh Date - c. 1156 BC/AM 2844 MED SEA

1. or, “Ramah” - I Sam 1:19 2. I Chro 6:33-38 3. Exo 34:23 & Lk 2:41 4. Deut 12:5-7 & 16:16 5. Isa 44:6 6. Deut 12:5-6

Jordan River

1 Now there was a certain man of 1 Ra- mathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was 2 Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the oth- er Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went up out of his city 3 yearly 4 to worship and to sacrifice unto the 5 LORD OF HOSTS in 6 Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

Shiloh •

Jerusalem • Ramah •

Elkanah and his family journey to Shiloh Map #117

1:2 Multiple marriages were never part of God’s original plan when He created man and woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. God only took “one” rib from Adam’s side in order to make a wife, not two (Gen 2:21-24 and I Tim 3:2,12 b ). God tells us in I Corinthians 7:28 that “just being married” will bring trouble in the flesh. Therefore having “more than one wife” ( two wives ) will bring additional problems (Gen 16 & I Ki 11). Despite His initial purpose for marriage, God did permit polygamy to occur Because God created men with free wills, men soon became “self-willed.” And in their “self-will” they demanded that their family name continue on. Therefore, in the case of a childless first marriage, God in His mercy made allowances for a second wife , even though in eternity there won’t even be any marriages (Mt 22:23-30). 2. In the case of a brother’s death (Deut 25:5-10) Again, in the case of a brother’s death, and thus a childless marriage, God in His mercy made allowances for that dead brother’s wife to marry his living brother so that the family name might continue on. 3. In the case of a hard heart (Mt 19:3-8 and Deut 24:2-4 ) 1:3a Every time Israel “sacrificed” a lamb, it was supposed to illustrate to an on looking world a picture of CHRIST ( Gen 22:8a ) 1:3b This title ( Lord of hosts ) is a military term and occurs about 260 times in the Old Testament. Always referring to GOD THE FATHER , this title stresses God’s universal sovereignty over all foes whether in heaven or on earth. during the Old Testament days for three different reasons: 1. In the case of a childless first marriage ( Deut 21:15 -17)

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