Bible Survey #23 and 24 - 1 Samuel

Samuel, Saul, and David

We have been introduced to Saul's town, Gibeah of Benjamin, at the end of Judges, and we have seen David's heritage in Bethlehem from Ruth. It is in First Samuel where we learn how both Saul and David became kings in Israel.

Samuel was the last judge. He was brought up in the home of Eli the priest, and served as one of the great figures of the Old Testament. He was the man God chose to anoint the first two kings of Israel. The people wanted a king other than God, a king like the other nations.

Saul was the first monarch that the Lord provided to Israel. He looked the part and had many remarkable successes. Yet he came to love the praise of men more than the Word of God. Eventually God announced through Samuel that the Lord was taking the kingdom away from Saul and giving it to another man.

That man was David, the great young victor over the Philistine, Goliath. David was a man after God's own heart. Though he was chosen by God to replace Saul, the rest of First Samuel tells the story of the suffering of this David, who had once tended the flock, as the Lord brought him to take Saul's place as the shepherd of Israel. It would be through the line of David that God would one day bring the Messiah King, Jesus Christ.

The people want a king like other lands.

They will not follow God, the Lord of lords.

They see in Saul a man above the throng,

But David and His Son will wear the crown.