OUTLINE OF 1st SAMUEL

By Gene McCarty

    In the Hebrew text the two books of Samuel are considered as one book. In more ancient times the Jews spoke of the four books of kings, the two books of Samuel being considered as the first two books. 
    The book of I Samuel concludes the history of the period of the Judges, Samuel himself being the last judge for the children of Israel. This book also gives us the account of the first two kings of Israel, so it is a book describing one of the greatest transitions to take place in Israel. 
    During this time the people raised a cry for a king like other nations. God finally allowed them to have the king of their choice. He also told them that there would not be blessings in their choosing. In the lives of the first two kings we have an example of man at his worst, and man as he walks with God.

1. In the first 6 chapters of this book we find the details of the early days of Samuel's life. The first chapter details the dedication of Samuel to the work of God. His mother made the greatest part of this decision. Chapter 3 reveals the Lord's conversation with the boy Samuel. In chapters 4 thru 6 we see the tragedy that occurs when men try to use God to their advantage.
    

2. Chapter 7 tells us of the success that is known in Israel when they follow God under Samuel's leadership. Chapter 8 gives the account of their request for a king, as well as God's response to this request.
    

3. In chapter 9 Saul is anointed. In chapter 10 he is made king. In chapter 11 he is confirmed by God. In chapter 12 Samuel gives his farewell speech as King Saul is now to be the leader. No sooner has Saul taken on the role of leadership, than he is in violation of God's directions. (chapter 13)
    

4. Saul and Jonathan his son show their courage as they attack the Philistines with an army that has no weapons as recorded in chapter 13. In chapter 14 Jonathan showed his great faith as he attacked the Philistines alone, and won the victory. In the latter part of the chapter we read of Jonathan eating honey which was prohibited by the king and Saul decided to take his life, yet Jonathan was saved.
    

5. Chapter 15 shows us the weakness of Saul as he refuses to follow the commands of the Lord, and he is rejected by God because of this disobedience.
    

6. By chapter 16 the Lord has chosen David to be king, and young David is anointed. He is soon in the service of King Saul.
    

7. In chapter 17 we see one of the greatest stories of faith in the Old Testament, as David cannot stand by while Goliath speaks against God and his people. The faith of this chapter is not unlike the faith of Jonathan in chapter thirteen as he attacked the Philistine army all by himself.
    

8. Chapters 18 thru 23 detail the jealousy of King Saul as he does all that he can to defeat God's plan by killing David. It is significant that Jonathan stands by David and protects him from his father the King. In chapter 24 things change and David has the opportunity to take Saul's life. David refuses to kill Saul, knowing that such acts belong to God alone.
    

9. David again has an opportunity to take the life of King Saul in chapter 26, but he will not. In chapter 27 David decides to go and live in the land of the Philistines so that Saul would stop trying to kill him.
    

10. Chapters 28 thru 31 gives the gruesome details of the end of King Saul and his sons, as God makes preparation to make David King.