The book of 1 Samuel (along with 2 Samuel) forms part of the history books of the Old Testament and acts as an important hinge in the Bible story.
Beginning in about 1050BC, 1 and 2 Samuel chart Israel’s journey from having no king, to living under the disastrous rule of King Saul, and eventually to living under the rule of King David, the Lord’s Anointed, whose rule points forward to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In 1 Samuel we get a taste of how bad life can be when there is no ruler, or when there is only a human ruler who is like the nations, compared to God’s plan of ruling through his anointed King.
During the process of establishing Israel’s monarchy in 1 Samuel we see that God is the true king of the world. Through the different characters in the narrative we see how to relate – and how not to relate - to the Lord’s Anointed ruler. We see God acting graciously and mercifully to those who seek to follow him, and acting with justice toward those who oppose him.
But perhaps one of the most defining features of 1 Samuel is the series of powerful illustrations of how God saves in surprising, upside down, inside out, back to front ways. God doesn’t bring about his purposes through the slick eloquence of gifted speakers, or through the strength of mighty warriors. Instead, he humbles the proud and exalts the humble.
God uses the heartfelt prayer of an unknown, barren woman from a remote town in Israel to raise up Samuel the Godly Kingmaker.
God uses the battlefield weakness of Israel’s army - which leads to the Ark of the Covenant being taken into enemy Philistine territory - to wreak devastation and havoc and on the Philistines, bringing respite to God’s people.
God rejects the physically impressive and humanly powerful Saul as King, instead choosing David – the youngest of 8 brothers – to be his anointed king who will go on to slay the giant Goliath.
At every twist and turn, we see the truth of what David tells Goliath shortly before slaying him – “It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and HE will give all you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47)
The writer of Samuel was not merely recording historic incidents from days gone by, but teaching us through these events to see that it is God alone who has the power to save, and he does so through his anointed king. It is not by strength that one prevails, but through trusting in his anointed ruler. May our time in 1 Samuel point us to God’s chosen and anointed eternal King, the Lord Jesus.