Keith Essex
Part XI: Samuel

Keith Essex's correlating video lecture(s) from The Master's Seminary:

• Lecture 21: Introduction & Themes of Samuel;
• Lecture 22: Themes and Purpose of Samuel;
• Lecture 23: Interpretive Issues of Samuel, Part I; and
• Lecture 24: Interpretive Issues of Samuel, Part II.

11. Samuel [MSB, 368-70; 418; ESVSB, 485-90, 541; BTSB, 437-44; NIVSB, 420-26, 477-79; HWSOT, 256-76; WOTA, 200-17; LDIOT, 151-66]
    1. Introduction
       1. Title [W&W, 307]
          1. Hebrew: "Samuel"
          2. LXX: "I & II Kingdoms"
          3. Vulgate: "I & II Kings"
       2. Date of Events:
          • From the Birth of Samuel (c. 1110 BC)
          • to the last words of David (c. 970 BC) [ca. 140 years]
       3. The Continuing Impact: "to this day" (1Sa 6:18; 27:6; 30:25; 2Sa 18:18)
       4. The History of Interpretation (DTIB, 717-18; ACCSOT, Vol. IV)
    2. Major Themes [see NIDOTTE, 4:1168-77; BSac 141:564 (Oct, 1984) 303-14]
       1. The Instruments of Yahweh
          1. The Priests (1Sa 1:3, 9; 2:11, 13, 14, 15, 28, 36; 14:3, 19, 36; 21:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9; 22:11, 17, 18, 19, 21; 23:9; 30:7; 2Sa 8:17; 15:27, 37; 17:15; 19:11; 20:25, 26) [DOTHB, 811-9]
          2. The Ark of the Covenant (1Sa 3:3; 4:3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22; 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11; 6:1, 2, 3, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 21; 7:1, 2; 14:18; 2Sa 6:2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17; 7:2; 11:11; 15:24, 25, 29) [DOTHB, 88-92]
          3. The Prophets (1Sa 2:27; 3:20; 9:9; 10:10, 11, 12; 19:20, 24; 22:5; 28:6, 15; 2Sa 7:2; 12:25; 24:11) /
             Seer (1Sa 9:9, 11, 19; 15:27; 24:11) [DOTHB, 825-9]
          4. The Word of Yahweh (1Sa 3:1, 21; 9:27; 15:10, 23, 26; 2Sa 7:4; 12:9; 16:23; 22:31; 24:11) [DOTHB, 999-1003]
          5. The Ruler / King [DOTHB, 610-23]
             1. The "Anointed" One (1Sa 2:10, 35; 12:3, 5; 16:6; 24:6, 10; 26: 9, 11, 16, 23; 2Sa 1:14, 16, 21; 19:21; 22:51; 23:1) [NIDOTTE, 2:1123-7; DOTHB, 32-6]
             2. The Ruler, Leader (1Sa 9:16; 10:1; 13:14; 25:30; 2Sa 5:2; 6:21; 7:8) [NIDOTTE, 3:20-1]
             3. The King (1Sa 2:10; 1Sa 8; 9; 12; 14-19; 21-28; 2Sa 2-22; 24) [NIDOTTE, 2:956-65]
       2. The Major Men [see, DOTHB, 442-52]
          1. Samuel (1Sa 1-4; 7-13; 15-16; 19; 25; 28) [DOTHB, 863-6]
             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Remarkable childhood with faithful mother

             Exod 2:1-2, 9

             1 Sam 1:20, 28

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Raised outside of the family home

             Exod 2:10

             1 Sam 1:24-25

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Disavowed sinful practices around him

             Exod 2:11-12

             1 Sam 2:22-26

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Initial revelation from Yahweh in the presence of an object that was burning, but not consumed

             Exod 3:4

             1 Sam 3:3-14

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             The revelation began with a double use of the man's name

             Exod 3:4

             1 Sam 3:10

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             "Faithful" prophet [only ones in Genesis-Kings]

             Num 12:7

             1 Sam 3:20

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Commanded by Yahweh to pronounce judgment

             Exod 7:14-18

             1 Sam 3:11-18

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Killed an enemy of Israel with his own hand

             Exod 2:12-15

             1 Sam 15:33

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Wrote down regulations deposited before Yahweh

             Deut 31:9, 24-26

             1 Sam 10:25

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Functioned as a "judge"

             Exod 18:13

             1 Sam 7:6, 15-16

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Functioned as a "prophet"

             Deut 18:15; 34:10

             1 Sam 3:20

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Built an altar to Yahweh

             Exod 17:15; 24:4

             1 Sam 7:17

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Not a priest, but performed priestly activities

             Lev 8:14-29

             1 Sam 7:9

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Had two sons

             Exod 18:3-4

             1 Sam 8:2

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Set apart non-family members to lead Israel

             Deut 31:7-8

             1 Sam 16:13

             CHARACTERISTIC

             MOSES

             SAMUEL

             Functioned as transitional figure in Israel's history

             Exod 3:10

             1 Sam 8:22
          2. Saul (1Sa 9-31; 2Sa 1-7; 9; 12; 16; 19; 21; 22) [CBCOT, 40; see NIDOTTE, 4:1178-81; DOTHB, 880-4]
          3. David (1Sa 16-30; 2Sa 1-24) [CBCOT, 28, 41; see NIDOTTE, 4:505-12; DOTHB, 198-206, 211-5]
             THE LIFE OF DAVID [MKP, 261]

             The birth of David

             1041 (alt. 1040)

             The anointing of David by Samuel

             ca. 1029

             David's exile from Saul

             ca. 1020-1011

             The anointing of David as king over Judah

             1011 (alt. 1010)

             The anointing of David as king over Israel and the conquest of Jerusalem

             1004 (alt. 1003)

             The great famine

             ca. 996-993

             The Ammonite wars

             ca. 993-990

             The adultery with Bathsheba

             ca. 992

             The birth of Solomon

             ca. 991

             The rape of Tamar

             ca. 987

             The death of Amnon

             ca. 985

             The exile of Absalom

             ca. 985-982

             The building of David's palace

             ca. 979

             The building of the tabernacle and the moving of the ark

             ca. 977

             The rebellion of Absalom and exile of David

             ca. 976

             The census

             ca. 975

             The coregency of Solomon

             ca. 973-971

             The coronation of Solomon and death of David

             971 (alt. 970)
       3. The Sovereign Action of Yahweh:
          • Pulling down the Proud / Disobedient and Lifting up the Humble / Obedient [see BSac 141:562 (April, 1984), 131-45]
       4. The Davidic Covenant (1Sa 2:10; 8:20 [cf. Deut 17:14]; 13:14; 15:28; 16:12; 20:15, 42; 2Sa 7:1-29; 22:51; 23:1-7) [see MSJ 10:2 (Fall, 1999) 233-50; DOTHB, 206-11]
    3. Purpose:
       • Yahweh established a human monarchy over His theocratic nation Israel and guaranteed its future in His Covenant with David.
    4. The Literary Structure [W&W, 311-14; DOTHB, 866-77; BSac 141:561 (Jan, 1984) 28-42]
       1. The Literary Frame of Samuel
          Narrative

          Barren woman blessed and exalted

          A

          1Sa 1:1-28

          Poem

          New mother responds in thanksgiving and exalts God

          B

          1Sa 2:1-10

          Poems

          Triumphant king gives thanks for victories

          B'

          2Sa 22:1–2Sa 23:7

          Narrative

          Self-exalting king judged and abased

          A'

          2Sa 24:1-25
       2. The Literary Chart for Samuel
          1110

          SAMUEL

          60 YEARS

          The Prophet

          1Sa 1:1–1Sa 4:1a

          The Judge

          1Sa 4:1b–1Sa 7:17

          1050

          SAUL

          His Appointment

          1Sa 8:1–1Sa 12:25

          40 YEARS

          His Failure

          1Sa 13:1–1Sa 15:35

          DAVID

          1010

          His Rise

          1Sa 16:1–1Sa 31:13

          40 YEARS

          His Reign

          2Sa 1:1–2Sa 20:26

          970

          The Review

          2Sa 21:1–2Sa 24:25
       3. The Outline of Samuel
          1. Samuel: Prophet and Judge to Israel (1 Sam 1:1–1 Sam 7:17)
             1. Samuel the Prophet (1Sa 1:1-4a)
             2. Samuel the Judge (1Sa 4:1b–1Sa 7:17)
          2. Saul: The First King of Israel (1 Sam 8:1–1Sam 15:35)
             1. The Demand of Israel for a King (1Sa 8:1-22)
             2. The Rise of Saul to the Kingship (1Sa 9:1–1Sa 12:25)
             3. The Decline of Saul in the Kingship (1Sa 13:1–1Sa 15:35)
          3. David: The Lord's Elect King of Israel (1 Sam 16:1–2 Sam 20:26)
             1. David and Saul: The Transfer of Kingship in Israel (1Sa 16:1–1Sa 31:13)
                1. The Introduction of David (1Sa 16:1–1Sa 17:58)
                2. David Driven from the Court of Saul (1Sa 18:1–1Sa 20:42)
                3. David's Flight from Saul's Pursuit (1Sa 21:1–1Sa 28:2)
                4. The Death of Saul (1Sa 28:3–1Sa 31:13)
             2. The Reign of David as King over Israel (2 Sam 1:1–2 Sam 20:26)
                1. David's Accession to Kingship over Judah (2Sa 1:1–2Sa 3:5)
                2. David's Accession to Kingship over Israel (2Sa 3:6–2Sa 5:16)
                3. David's Triumphal Reign (2Sa 5:17–2Sa 8:18)
                4. David's Troubled Reign (2Sa 9:1–2Sa 20:26)
          4. Appendices: Snapshots of David's Rise and Reign (2 Sam 21:1–2 Sam 24:25)
    5. Bibliography
       1. Exegetical:
          • Firth, 1 & 2 Samuel (AOTC).
       2. English Interpretation:
          • *Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel (NAC).
          • *Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel (NICOT).
       3. Expositional:
          • *Davis, 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart.
          • *Davis, 2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity.
          • Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader (PTW).
    6. Selected Interpretive Problems
       1. The Original Text of Samuel [MSB, 369; ESVSB, 487-8; BSac 141:563 (July, 1984) 209-22; W&W, 310-11]
          1. Reflected Best in LXX and Qumran
          2. Reflected Best in MT [Firth (?); Tsumura; Bergen]
       2. The Kingship [MSB, 369; ESVSB, 503-4; BTSB, 440-41; MKP, 207-10, 226-7]
          1. The Biblical Text (1 Sam 8-12) Is Ambivalent / Contradictory
          2. The Biblical Text (1 Sam 8-12) Tends to Be Negative [Tsumura; Bergen; Woodhouse]
          3. The Proper Desire, But the Wrong Motive and/or Timing (Yahweh's Initiative verses Israel's Resistance) [MSB, 381-2; Firth; Davis (?); EBC1 & 2; BKC]
       3. The Prophets [MSB, 369; MKP, 213-4]
          1. Ecstatic Speakers [KD]
          2. Being or Falling into a Possession Trance [EBC1 & 2]
          3. Speakers under the influence of a power beyond themselves [Woodhouse]
          4. Communicators of Yahweh's Message [MSB, 401; Firth; Bergen]
       4. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit (1Sa 10:6, 10; 11:6; 16:13, 14; 19:20, 23; 2Sa 23:2) [MSB, 369; CBCOT, 111)
          1. The Giving of Salvation
          2. The Empowerment for Yahweh's Service [Tsumura; BKC; Woodhouse]
          3. Election to Yahweh's Service [Firth]
       5. The Length of Saul's Reign (1Sa 13:1) [MSB, 387; ESVSB, 511; BTSB, 439-40, 462; MKP, 210-12]
          1. 40 Years (cf. Acts 13:21); i.e. c. 1050-1010 BC [CBCOT, 40]
          2. 32 Years; i.e. c. 1043-1011 BC [MSB, 10]
          3. 42 Years; i.e. c. 1052-1011 BC [MSB, 368]
          4. Years (before his rejection by Yahweh; remainder unknown) [Firth; Woodhouse]
          5. An Expression of Saul's Insignificant Reign in God's Eyes [Tsumura]
       6. "An evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him (1Sa 16:14, 15; cf. 1Sa 18:10, 19:9) [MSB, 369; ESVSB, 518; BTSB, 469; MKP, 229]
          1. Demonic Possession
          2. Demonic Attack or Influence [MSB, 395; BKC]
          3. An Evil Messenger (cf. 1 Kgs 22:20-23; 2 Kgs 19:35)
          4. An Angel of Judgment [Bergen]
          5. A Spirit of Discontent Created by the LORD in the Heart (cf. Judg 9:23)
          6. A Spirit of [or, Bringing] Calamity or Distress [Tsumura; Davis; Woodhouse; EBC1 & 2]
       7. "Bring up Samuel" (1Sa 28:11-19) [MSB, 369; ESVSB, 536; BTSB, 486-87; MKP, 237]
          1. Psychological Only
          2. A Demon Impersonated Samuel
          3. The Medium only Claimed to Contact Samuel
          4. The LORD Allowed Samuel to Speak with Saul [MSB, 412-13; Firth; Tsumura; Bergen; Davis; Woodhouse; BKC]
       8. David's Seed (2Sa 7:11b-16) [MSB, 369; ESVSB, 554; BTSB, 504; MKP, 292-4]
          1. Solomon Only [EBC1 & 2]
          2. Solomon Foreshadowing the Messiah [MSB, 429-30; Bergen]
          3. Both Individual Descendants and the Ongoing Line of David Culminating in Jesus [Davis]
          4. The Messiah (cf. 2Sa 7:19; 1 Chr 17:11-14; Is. 9:6-7; Heb 1:5; Gen 22:18 with Acts 3:25-26) [Firth (?)]
    7. Preaching Samuel

Used with permission by Dr. Keith Essex. Redistribution without express permission from Dr. Keith Essex is prohibited.