March 29, 2025

God's provision in David's life

1 Samuel 29-31

Mickey Friedrich
Saturday's Devo

March 29, 2025

Saturday's Devo

March 29, 2025

Big Book Idea

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart!

Key Verse | 1 Samuel 30:6

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 29-31

Chapter 29

The Philistines Reject David

Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel. As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish, the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.” But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands’?”

Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” 11 So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Chapter 30

David's Wives Are Captured

Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all 1 30:2 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, 2 30:6 Compare 22:2 each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.

11 They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. And they gave him bread and he ate. They gave him water to drink, 12 and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. 13 And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. 14 We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.” 15 And David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band.”

David Defeats the Amalekites

16 And when he had taken him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. 17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. 18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. 20 David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, 3 30:20 The meaning of the Hebrew clause is uncertain and said, “This is David's spoil.”

21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” 23 But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. 24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.

26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD.” 27 It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, 28 in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, 29 in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, 30 in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, 31 in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed.

Chapter 31

The Death of Saul

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. 11 But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

Footnotes

[1] 30:2 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks and all
[2] 30:6 Compare 22:2
[3] 30:20 The meaning of the Hebrew clause is uncertain
Table of Contents
Introduction to 1–2 Samuel

Introduction to 1–2 Samuel

Timeline

Author and Date

The author or authors of 1 and 2 Samuel are not known. These books recount the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David. Saul’s reign began between 1050–1030 B.C. and ended in 1010. David then reigned until 971. The books were probably written soon after the end of his reign.

Theme

The central theme of the books of Samuel is how the Lord (1) established a dynasty (“house”) in Israel for David rather than Saul and (2) how he chose Jerusalem as the place where David’s successor would establish the temple (“house”) for the worship of the divine King Yahweh.

Purpose

The purpose of 1 Samuel is to highlight two major events: the establishment of the monarchy in Israel (chs. 8–12); and the rise of David to be king after Saul (chs. 16–31). After ruling for a while, Saul was rejected by the Lord in favor of David (chs. 15–16), though Saul stayed on the throne until his death at Mount Gilboa (ch. 31). Later, in 2 Samuel 7, God promises David and his house an eternal dynasty. The book of 1 Samuel establishes the principle that obedience to the word of God is the necessary condition for a king to be acceptable to the God of Israel.

First and Second Samuel deal with a transitional period in the history of ancient Israel. There is a transition of leadership first from the priest Eli to the judge Samuel, then from the judge Samuel to the king Saul, and then from Saul to David. Samuel thus is the link between the judgeship and the kingship in Israel. He is the prophet God uses to anoint both Saul and David. The kingdom of Saul was also transitional. Under Saul, Israel was more than a loose confederation that gathered together whenever there was a common threat, but there was no strong central rule such as existed later. The story of the rise of David in the second half of 1 Samuel prepares for the full-scale kingship of David in 2 Samuel.

1 Samuel Key Themes

  1. God’s kingship. God is King of the universe and always has been. No human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King.
  2. God’s providential guidance. God providentially and individually guided the lives of chosen people such as Hannah, Samuel, and David. Even the life of Saul was in God’s providential care (see 1 Sam. 9:16). God’s timing is always perfect (see 1 Samuel 9 and the end of 1 Samuel 23), for he is the Lord of history.
  3. God’s sovereign will and power. God chooses or rejects people according to his absolute sovereign will and purpose. He may change his way of dealing with individuals according to his plan and purpose, but his decision is always just and right. At the same time, he is merciful and gracious.

Therefore, obedience to God’s word is of prime importance. Only God’s grace allows sinful human beings to be in relationship with the holy God. Only the God-given way of approaching him through sacrifice can prepare humans to come closer to God. Believers can only wait on God, who will do his will according to his own purpose. What is impossible for humans is possible for God. This should encourage believers to put their faith in the one who is sovereign over the entire creation.

2 Samuel Key Themes

The themes of 1 Samuel are related to the themes of 2 Samuel: the sovereign God, who has guided David’s life, chooses David as the ruler of God’s people. God pledges to David an eternal covenant. David thus becomes the prototype of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ.

  1. Davidic covenant. See 2 Samuel 7.
  2. Messianic promise. Second Samuel 7 is a turning point in the history of salvation. God chose David to be the beginning of an enduring dynasty, from which the ultimate Ruler, Jesus, would come. God used David to fulfill his eternal plan of salvation, not because he was perfect from a human viewpoint, but because the Lord was “with him” and showed grace to him.

1 Samuel Outline

  1. The Story of Samuel (1:1–7:17)
  2. Transition to the Monarchy (8:1–22)
  3. The Story of Saul (9:1–15:35)
  4. The Story of Saul and David (16:1–31:13)

2 Samuel Outline

  1. Story of King David (1:1–20:26)
  2. Epilogue (21:1–24:25)

The Setting of 1 Samuel

c. 1050 B.C.

The book of 1 Samuel is set in Israel during the transition between the period of the judges and the period of the monarchy. It opens with Samuel’s birth and then describes his role as judge over Israel. When the people ask for a king, the Lord instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.

The Setting of 1 Samuel

The Setting of 2 Samuel

The Setting of 2 Samuel

c. 1000 B.C.

The book of 2 Samuel recounts David’s reign over Israel and his battles to establish Israel as the dominant power in Syria and Palestine. David expanded Israel’s borders from Saul’s smaller territory. By the end of his reign, David controlled all of Israel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Other kingdoms, such as Tyre and Hamath, established treaties with him.

The Setting of 2 Samuel

The Global Message of 1 Samuel

The Global Message of 1 Samuel

First Samuel in Redemptive History

God’s purpose in setting apart Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, was to bless the nations of the world. The way we see this purpose move forward in 1 Samuel is through the beginning of the kingship in Israel. While on one level it was an act of faithlessness when Israel clamored to have a king like all the other nations of the world (1 Sam. 8:4–22), God used their wayward request to begin a succession of kings that would ultimately be fulfilled in the true and final king, Jesus himself.

In this way 1 Samuel demonstrates God’s continued care for his people, raising up for them a king who would be Israel’s champion, representative, and example. Saul, the first king, was outwardly impressive but failed to trust God truly. He proved himself to be a flawed, headstrong, and unworthy king. David, however, in spite of his profound moral failures, was God’s choice to be the start of a dynasty that will never end. Indeed, while this dynasty proved to produce one failed king after another, these failures served to heighten the longing for a true king who would not fail but would prove himself the ultimate champion, representative, and example for God’s people.

In God’s miraculous mercy, in the fullness of time, this dynasty did indeed bring forth a Ruler to lead God’s people in bringing blessing to all the nations of the earth.

The Folly of Superstition

Superstition today. The book of 1 Samuel provides the most systematic teaching in the Old Testament about the phenomenon of superstition. Though some might define superstition narrowly as social taboos or irrational beliefs, superstition is not limited to these things. At the heart of superstition is simply fear of the unknown. Any attempt to manipulate an unknown deity or the powers that supposedly control the world counts as a form of superstition. Understood in this broader sense, it becomes evident that superstition is still found around the world today, even among those with a Christian background. Believers sometimes think that daily Bible reading and prayer will bring predictable blessings, or that God may be bargained with through giving a bigger offering, or that wearing Christian symbols brings protection from harm. All this is superstition.

Superstition in 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel 4–7, the story of the ark of the covenant (which represented God’s presence; see Ex. 25:10–22) demonstrates how a missionary God responds to superstitious people. In a battle against the Philistines, the Israelites believe that the presence of the ark can guarantee victory in battle: “Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies” (1 Sam. 4:3). But the presence of the ark among them makes no difference. Not only is Israel defeated by the Philistines, but two tragedies follow: “The ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died” (4:11). Here is the greatest crisis so far in Israel’s history. The ark, which symbolized God’s presence and accompanied Israel into the Promised Land, has been taken. And the priest’s two sons, the future leaders of Israel, are both dead. To the Israelites, these setbacks mean nothing less than the collapse of their nation. Their divine leadership and their human leadership have both been lost.

God’s Grace to Israel and to the World

God’s greater purposes. The rest of 1 Samuel 4–7 reveals, however, that God often allows the superstitions of his people to fail so that they might learn that he remains sovereign even in defeat. Israel has given up hope because their false reliance on the ark has failed. But the battle over superstition is just getting started—the Philistines will soon see how a missionary God also defeats their superstition about the ark. They do what victorious armies in the ancient world typically did, moving the symbol of their enemy’s god into the temple of their own god: “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon” (1 Sam. 5:2).

To the Philistines it is clear that Dagon, their god of fertility, is stronger than the God of Israel, because Israel lost the battle. On this point the Israelites would perhaps have agreed. But the next morning, the Philistines wake up to find Dagon flat on his face before the ark of the Lord. The Philistines wonder if perhaps Dagon was positioned improperly on his throne, so they return Dagon to his place. Once more, however, they find Dagon lying prostrate, this time with his head and hands cut off (1 Sam. 5:4).

Drawing all people to himself. Israel is defeated, but the God of Israel certainly is not. He has allowed the ark to be taken by the Philistines because of the superstition of the Israelites, but now the ark defeats the superstition of the Philistines! This account shows that when God’s people are faithless and attempt to manipulate God through their superstitions, he may allow their superstitions to succeed before then using his power to humble them. The humbled Philistines show more respect to the ark than the Israelites had done: “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” (1 Sam. 5:8; compare 4:3). God has hidden his power in Israel but reveals his power in Philistia—the Israelites give up on their God because superstition has led to defeat, yet due to the same superstition and its effects in Philistia, the Philistines give up on Dagon and acknowledge the God of Israel. Thus the superstitious world of both the Israelites and Philistines has been turned upside down by a missionary God who is creatively drawing all peoples to himself.

The Global Message of 1 Samuel for Today

Rejecting superstition. The God of the Bible, the one true God, is not a fickle tribal deity. He cannot be manipulated. When God’s people are superstitious, they show a lack of heartfelt faith in the God who orders all things according to his infinite wisdom. We can pray and act in confidence, not in the fear that drives superstition. Like the mobile ark in 1 Samuel 4–7, the sovereign God of the world is not captive to any particular place or human agenda or superstition.

God’s wisdom through human folly. God is at work not only in victory but also in defeat. His redemptive purposes are accomplished despite, and even through, human weakness and sinfulness. The supreme example of this is the cross of Christ. The world thought that it was defeating God by nailing his Son Jesus to a Roman cross, yet in that moment God was accomplishing his greatest victory (1 Cor. 1:18–2:16). As we confess our sinfulness and place our trust in Jesus alone, the missionary God who has overcome the powers of this world exchanges our sins and superstitions for the righteousness of Christ himself (2 Cor. 5:21) and the abiding presence of his Spirit, who never leaves us (John 14:16–17).

1 Samuel Fact #22: Pressed fig cakes

Fact: Pressed fig cakes

Pressed fig cakes were a common food for travelers (30:12). The dried figs would not spoil, and their sugar content made them an ideal energy food.

Zephaniah Fact #3: Palestine

Fact: Palestine

The name Palestine is actually derived from the word Philistine. The Philistines migrated to Palestine from Crete. They are also called Cherethites (see 1 Sam. 30:14).

The Setting of 1 Samuel

The Setting of 1 Samuel

c. 1050 B.C.

The book of 1 Samuel is set in Israel during the transition between the period of the judges and the period of the monarchy. It opens with Samuel’s birth and then describes his role as judge over Israel. When the people ask for a king, the Lord instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.

The Setting of 1 Samuel

The Battle at Mount Gilboa

The Battle at Mount Gilboa

c. 1010 B.C.

Philistine forces advanced to Shunem from Aphek and prepared to attack the Israelites near their camp in Jezreel. Saul, fearing the great army that faced him, slipped away during the night to consult a medium at En-dor in order to seek the counsel of the deceased Samuel. When the Philistines attacked the next morning, the Israelites retreated up the slopes of Mount Gilboa. Saul and three of his sons were killed, and the Philistines mocked Israel by hanging their bodies on the wall of Beth-shean. Later, men from Jabesh-gilead traveled through the night and recovered the bodies.

The Battle at Mount Gilboa

Events of 1–2 Samuel Referenced in the Psalms

Events of 1–2 Samuel Referenced in the Psalms

1 Samuel Incident Psalm
19:11 David’s house surrounded 59
21:10–11 David seized by Achish 56
21:12–22:1 David escapes from Achish (called Abimelech in Psalm 34 title) 34
22:1 (possibly also 24:3) David in cave 57; 142
22:9–19 Doeg the Edomite 52
23:14–15 (possibly) Desert of Judah 63
23:19 David betrayed by Ziphites 54
2 Samuel Incident Psalm
8:1–14 Victory over Transjordan 60
chs. 11–12 Against house of Uriah 51
chs. 15–17 Absalom’s revolt 3
chs. 15–17 (possibly) Desert of Judah 63
ch. 22 Victory over all enemies 18
The Rise and Failure of David in 1 and 2 Samuel

The Rise and Failure of David in 1 and 2 Samuel

David’s Rise (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 10) David’s Failures (2 Samuel 11–20)
Eager holy warrior Remains in palace
Marries honorably Adultery with Bathsheba
Protects Saul’s life Plots Uriah’s death
Decisive Indecisive
Prayers effective Prayers ineffective
Fearless when outnumbered Fearfully takes census
Attracts thousands of followers Loses thousands of followers
The Fall of Saul and the Rise of David in 1 Samuel

The Fall of Saul and the Rise of David in 1 Samuel

Saul David
Holy Spirit removed; evil spirit given (16:14–23) Anointed with Holy Spirit (16:1–13)
Jealous and treacherous (ch. 18) Faithful friend (ch. 20)
Attempts to kill David (ch. 19) Protects Saul’s life (chs. 24; 26)
Failed holy warrior (ch. 15) Mighty holy warrior (ch. 17)
Kingdom torn away (13:13–14; 15:11, 26) Kingdom promised forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17)
Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings

Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings

1 Chronicles 2 Samuel
Genealogies 1:1–9:44
Death of Saul and sons 10:1–14 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16
Lament for Saul 1:17–27
David king of Judah 2:1–7
War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king 2:8–3:1
David’s sons in Hebron 3:2–5
Abner helps David 3:6–21
Joab kills Abner 3:22–39
Ish-bosheth killed 4:1–12
David king of Judah and Israel 11:1–3 5:1–5
Conquest of Jerusalem 11:4–9 5:6–10
David’s mighty men 11:10–47 23:8–39
David’s men at Ziklag 12:1–22
Celebration at Hebron 12:23–40
Attempted return of ark; death of Uzzah 13:1–14 6:1–11
David’s house built 14:1–2 5:11–12
David’s children in Jerusalem 14:3–7 5:13–16
David defeats Philistines 14:8–17 5:17–25
Spiritual preparation for the ark’s return 15:1–24
Ark brought to Jerusalem 15:25–16:6 6:12–19
David and Michal 6:20–23
David’s psalm of praise 16:7–43
David’s desire to build the temple 17:1–2 7:1–3
Davidic covenant 17:3–15 7:4–17
David’s prayer of praise 17:16–27 7:18–29
David’s victories 18:1–13 8:1–14
David’s officials 18:14–17 8:15–18
David helps Mephibosheth 9:1–13
Ammonites defeated 19:1–15 10:1–14
Syrians defeated 19:16–19 10:15–19
Ammonites defeated 20:1–3 11:1; 12:26–31
David and Bathsheba 11:2–12:25
Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom 13:1–14:33
Absalom’s rebellion 15:1–19:43
Sheba’s rebellion 20:1–26
Famine; death of Saul’s sons 21:1–14
War with Philistines; the Philistine giants 20:4–8 21:15–22
David’s psalm of deliverance 22:1–51
David’s last words 23:1–7
David’s census 21:1–27 24:1–25
David plans for the temple 21:28–22:5
David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders 22:6–19
David organizes temple personnel 23:1–26:32
Israel’s military 27:1–15
Israel’s leaders 27:16–34
David’s charge to Israel; affirmation of Solomon 28:1–10
Pattern for the temple 28:11–21
Offerings for the temple 29:1–9
David’s prayer of thanks for the temple 29:10–19
1 Kings
David and Abishag 1:1–4
Adonijah claims the throne 1:5–27
Solomon’s coronation 29:20–25 1:28–40
David instructs Solomon 2:1–9
Death of David 29:26–30 2:10–11
Solomon establishes his kingdom 2:12–46
2 Chronicles
Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter 3:1–3
Solomon at Gibeon 1:1–6 3:4
God gives Solomon wisdom 1:7–12 3:5–14
Solomon’s wise judgment 3:16–28
Solomon’s prosperity 1:14–17 4:20–34
Preparations for the temple 2:1–18 5:1–18
Temple built 3:1–5:1 6:1–38;7:13–51
Solomon’s palace 7:1–12
Ark brought to the temple 5:2–12 8:1–9
God’s glory fills the temple 5:13–14 8:10–11
Solomon blesses the people 6:1–11 8:12–21
Solomon consecrates the temple 6:12–42 8:22–61
Fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifices 7:1–3
Solomon and the people offer sacrifices 7:4–7 8:62–64
Feast of Tabernacles 7:8–10 8:65–66
The covenant confirmed 7:11–22 9:1–9
Solomon’s territory increases 8:1–6 9:10–19
Solomon’s enemies defeated 8:7–10 9:20–23
Solomon’s religious practices 8:11–16 9:24–25
Solomon’s economic operations 8:17–18 9:26–28
Queen of Sheba visits 9:1–12 10:1–13
Solomon’s wealth 9:13–28 10:14–29
Solomon’s apostasy and adversaries 11:1–40
Death of Solomon 9:29–31 11:41–43
Division of the kingdom 10:1–11:23 12:1–33
Man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam (Israel) 13:1–34
Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam 14:1–18
Death of Jeroboam 14:19–20
Shishak invades Judah 12:1–12 14:25–28
Reign of Rehoboam (Judah) 12:13–16 14:21–24,29–31
War between Judah and Israel 13:1–22 15:1–8
Evaluation of Asa (Judah) 14:1–8 15:9–12
Ethiopians defeated 14:9–15
Azariah the prophet 15:1–7
Asa’s reforms 15:8–19 15:13–15
Asa defeats Syria 16:1–10 15:16–22
Death of Asa 16:11–14 15:23–24
Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri (Israel) 15:25–16:28
Ahab becomes king (Israel) 16:29–34
Elijah 17:1–19:18;21:17–29
Call of Elisha 19:19–21
Ahab conquers Syria, acquires Naboth’s vineyard 20:1–21:29
Evaluation of Jehoshaphat (Judah) 17:1–9
Expansion of Judah 17:10–19
Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab; death of Ahab 18:1–34 22:1–40
Jehoshaphat’s reforms, crisis, and deliverance 19:1–20:30
Reign of Jehoshaphat 20:31–37 22:41–50
Reign of Ahaziah (Israel) 22:51–53
2 Kings
Death of Ahaziah; Elijah’s prophecy 1:1–18
Elijah and Elisha 2:1–25
Evaluation of Jehoram (Israel) 3:1–3
Moab rebels 3:4–27
The widow’s oil 4:1–7
The Shunammite woman 4:8–37
Miracles for the prophets 4:38–44
Naaman healed 5:1–27
The axe head recovered 6:1–7
Chariots of fire 6:8–23
Siege of Samaria 6:24–7:20
Shunammite’s land restored 8:1–6
Hazael kills Ben-hadad 8:7–15
Evaluation of Jehoram (Judah) 21:1–7 8:16–19
Edom and Libnah rebel 21:8–11 8:20–22
Warning of Elijah 21:12–15
Invasion of Philistia and Arabia 21:16–17
Death of Jehoram 21:18–20 8:23–24
Reign of Ahaziah (Judah) 22:1–9 8:25–29; 9:15–16, 27–28; 10:12–14
Reign of Jehu (Israel) 22:7–9 9:1–10:36
Reign of Athaliah (Judah) 22:10–23:15 11:1–16
Jehoiada’s reforms (Judah) 23:16–21 11:17–20
Evaluation of Joash (Judah) 24:1–3 11:21–12:3
Joash repairs the temple 24:4–14 12:4–16
Death of Jehoiada 24:15–16
Jehoiada’s son killed 24:17–22
Syria invades Judah 24:23–24 12:17–18
Death of Joash 24:25–27 12:19–21
Reign of Jehoahaz (Israel) 13:1–9
Reign of Jehoash (Israel) 13:10–13
Elisha’s final prophecy and death 13:14–25
Reign of Amaziah (Judah) 25:1–16 14:1–20
Israel defeats Judah 25:17–24 14:8–14
Death of Amaziah 25:25–28 14:17–20
Evaluation of Uzziah (Judah) 26:1–5 14:21–22; 15:1–5
Reign of Jeroboam II (Israel) 14:23–29
Victories of Uzziah 26:6–15
Sinful offering of Uzziah 26:16–21
Death of Uzziah 26:22–23 15:6–7
Reign of Zechariah (Israel) 15:8–12
Reign of Shallum (Israel) 15:13–16
Reign of Menahem (Israel) 15:17–22
Reign of Pekahiah (Israel) 15:23–26
Reign of Pekah (Israel) 15:27–31
Reign of Jotham (Judah) 27:1–9 15:32–38
Evaluation of Ahaz (Judah) 28:1–4 16:1–4
Israel defeats Judah 28:5–21 16:5–9
Ahaz’s idolatry and death 28:22–27 16:10–12
Fall of Israel 17:1–23
Resettlement of Israel 17:24–41
Evaluation of Hezekiah (Judah) 29:1–2 18:1–8
Hezekiah cleanses the temple 29:3–19
Hezekiah restores temple worship 29:20–36
Hezekiah restores Passover 30:1–27
Hezekiah destroys idols, organizes priests 31:1–21
Fall of Israel (restated) 18:9–12
Assyria invades Judah 32:1–23 18:13–19:37
Hezekiah’s illness and restoration 32:24–26 20:1–11
Hezekiah’s wealth and foolish pride 32:27–31 20:12–19
Death of Hezekiah 32:32–33 20:20–21
Reign of Manasseh (Judah) 33:1–9 21:1–18
Manasseh’s repentance 33:10–20
Reign of Amon (Judah) 33:21–25 21:19–26
Evaluation of Josiah (Judah) 34:1–2 22:1–2
Josiah’s early reforms 34:3–7
Josiah repairs the temple 34:8–13 22:3–7
Book of Law discovered; Josiah’s reforms 34:14–33 22:8–23:20
Passover celebrated 35:1–19 23:21–27
Death of Josiah 35:20–27 23:28–30
Reign of Jehoahaz (Judah) 36:1–3 23:31–33
Reign of Jehoiakim (Judah) 36:4–8 23:34–24:7
Reign of Jehoiachin (Judah); Babylonian captivity 36:9–10 24:8–17
Evaluation of Zedekiah (Judah) 36:11–12 24:18–20
Destruction of Jerusalem 36:13–21 25:1–21
Remnant flees to Egypt 25:22–26
Jehoiachin released 25:27–30
Proclamation by Cyrus 36:22–23
Study Notes

1 Sam 29:4 Although Achish of Gath trusted David, the other Philistine commanders mistrusted him. They feared that he would seek to regain the favor of Saul (his lord) by betraying the Philistines and presenting him with the heads of the men here (probably meaning “our heads”). One can see the hand of the Lord working even through the Philistine commanders to keep David from fighting the Lord’s people, which he had managed to avoid doing so far. That would probably have prevented him from being accepted by Israel as king.

Study Notes

1 Sam 29:6 As the LORD lives. For polytheistic people, it was quite acceptable to make an oath in the name of a god other than the gods they normally served.

Study Notes

1 Sam 29:8 fight against the enemies of my lord the king. The identity of “my lord the king” is perhaps deliberately unclear. On the surface the phrase refers to Achish, but it is possible David was actually referring to Saul, whose “enemies” were the Philistines. Readers are not told what David was thinking.

Study Notes

1 Sam 29:1–11 The story backtracks to right after 28:2, partially repeating 28:1.

1 Sam 29:11 From here, the action splits. Chapter 30 follows David’s actions as he is sent home to Ziklag, while ch. 31 continues Saul’s actions in 28:5–25 and the Philistines’ actions in ch. 29. The Philistines went up to Jezreel by way of Shunem (see 28:4, then ch. 31). Saul’s visit to the medium (28:5–25) occurred within this area. Jezreel is at the northwest foot of Mount Gilboa and guards the eastern entrance to the Jezreel Valley.

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:1 the third day. It was about 50 miles (81 km) from Aphek to Ziklag. The Amalekites surely knew that the bulk of the armies of Philistia and Judah had gone to battle in the north, and they had taken advantage of the situation to raid Ziklag.

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:6 But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. Rather than despairing over the destruction of Ziklag, David turns to God in prayer and worship (see Ps. 56:3–4).

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:9 If the hypothesis is correct that Ziklag was Tel esh-Sheriah and the brook Besor was Wadi Ghazzeh, this takes place about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Ziklag.

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:11–12 Bread here may refer simply to bread, or it may be a general term for food.

1 Samuel Fact #22: Pressed fig cakes

Fact: Pressed fig cakes

Pressed fig cakes were a common food for travelers (30:12). The dried figs would not spoil, and their sugar content made them an ideal energy food.

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:14 The Negeb of the Cherethites is probably southern Philistia (see Ezek. 25:16 and Zeph. 2:5, where “Cherethites” seems to be a synonym for “Philistines”). The Negeb of Caleb is the area south of Hebron.

Zephaniah Fact #3: Palestine

Fact: Palestine

The name Palestine is actually derived from the word Philistine. The Philistines migrated to Palestine from Crete. They are also called Cherethites (see 1 Sam. 30:14).

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:17 The word translated twilight usually means “dusk” but occasionally it can mean “dawn.” The meaning of the word here is not clear. If it means “dawn,” David and his men probably waited until morning to attack in order to avoid killing their own people or letting the Amalekites escape. The battle continued during the daylight hours until sunset, which would be considered the start of the next day.

Study Notes

1 Sam 30:25 Rule is translated elsewhere as “custom” (2:13), “ways” (8:11), and “rights and duties” (10:25).

Study Notes

1 Sam 27:1–30:31 David and his men finally gain some stability by serving the Philistine king Achish of Gath. David pretends to be loyal to Achish by attacking various non-Israelite peoples in the area while giving the impression that he is attacking Israel itself (27:8–12). When the Philistines prepare to attack Saul’s army, however, it seems that David is in danger of becoming an enemy of his own people. But the Philistine leaders do not trust him in battle, so he and his men go back to their city of Ziklag (30:1). On arrival, they find that Ziklag has been destroyed by the Amalekites. David manages to pursue and destroy the raiders and gain much spoil, which he shares with the cities of Judah. Meanwhile in ch. 28, as the Philistines prepare to invade, Saul seeks advice from the deceased Samuel through divination but receives only a prophecy of his own death.

1 Sam 30:26–31 David generously distributes the spoils of victory to all who sided with him. He even gives gifts to others who will soon be his subjects. Hebron was the major city in the area. Bethel is not the famous Bethel (7:16; 10:3; 13:2) but an otherwise unknown city in Judah. Jattir and Eshtemoa are Levitical cities in the Judean hills (Josh. 15:48, 50; 21:14). Bor-ashan is probably Ashan in the Shephelah (Josh. 19:7). The locations of the other places are uncertain.

Study Notes

1 Sam 31:1 The events of this chapter directly follow those of chs. 28 and 29. The Philistines have left their camp at Shunem and are attacking the Israelite army on Mount Gilboa (see 28:4).

Study Notes

1 Sam 31:4 Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. See note on 2 Sam. 1:6–10 for the claim that Saul was killed by an Amalekite.

Study Notes

1 Sam 31:7 The other side of the valley is the north side of the Jezreel Valley.

Study Notes

1 Sam 31:10 Beth-shan is at the intersection of the north-south road along the Jordan Valley and the road from Gilead to the Jezreel Valley.

Study Notes

1 Sam 16:1–31:13 The Story of Saul and David. Now that Saul has been completely rejected as king, David is introduced as his successor. God trains David, through suffering, to lead his people.

1 Sam 31:1–13 The army of Israel is completely defeated, Saul’s sons are killed, Saul kills himself to avoid capture, and the Philistines take over the region.

1 Sam 31:11–13 Saul had saved Jabesh-gilead at the beginning of his reign (ch. 11), which the men of the city remembered. They cross the Jordan and go about 10 miles (16 km) to Beth-shan. The burning of bodies was usually considered desecration, but here the purpose may have been to keep them from further dishonor. bones. Even after lengthy burning, large bones would remain. David later reburied the bones (2 Sam. 21:12–14).

See chart See chart
The Fall of Saul and the Rise of David in 1 Samuel

The Fall of Saul and the Rise of David in 1 Samuel

Saul David
Holy Spirit removed; evil spirit given (16:14–23) Anointed with Holy Spirit (16:1–13)
Jealous and treacherous (ch. 18) Faithful friend (ch. 20)
Attempts to kill David (ch. 19) Protects Saul’s life (chs. 24; 26)
Failed holy warrior (ch. 15) Mighty holy warrior (ch. 17)
Kingdom torn away (13:13–14; 15:11, 26) Kingdom promised forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17)
The Setting of 1 Samuel

The Setting of 1 Samuel

c. 1050 B.C.

The book of 1 Samuel is set in Israel during the transition between the period of the judges and the period of the monarchy. It opens with Samuel’s birth and then describes his role as judge over Israel. When the people ask for a king, the Lord instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.

The Setting of 1 Samuel

The Battle at Mount Gilboa

The Battle at Mount Gilboa

c. 1010 B.C.

Philistine forces advanced to Shunem from Aphek and prepared to attack the Israelites near their camp in Jezreel. Saul, fearing the great army that faced him, slipped away during the night to consult a medium at En-dor in order to seek the counsel of the deceased Samuel. When the Philistines attacked the next morning, the Israelites retreated up the slopes of Mount Gilboa. Saul and three of his sons were killed, and the Philistines mocked Israel by hanging their bodies on the wall of Beth-shean. Later, men from Jabesh-gilead traveled through the night and recovered the bodies.

The Battle at Mount Gilboa

The Global Message of 1 Samuel

The Global Message of 1 Samuel

First Samuel in Redemptive History

God’s purpose in setting apart Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, was to bless the nations of the world. The way we see this purpose move forward in 1 Samuel is through the beginning of the kingship in Israel. While on one level it was an act of faithlessness when Israel clamored to have a king like all the other nations of the world (1 Sam. 8:4–22), God used their wayward request to begin a succession of kings that would ultimately be fulfilled in the true and final king, Jesus himself.

In this way 1 Samuel demonstrates God’s continued care for his people, raising up for them a king who would be Israel’s champion, representative, and example. Saul, the first king, was outwardly impressive but failed to trust God truly. He proved himself to be a flawed, headstrong, and unworthy king. David, however, in spite of his profound moral failures, was God’s choice to be the start of a dynasty that will never end. Indeed, while this dynasty proved to produce one failed king after another, these failures served to heighten the longing for a true king who would not fail but would prove himself the ultimate champion, representative, and example for God’s people.

In God’s miraculous mercy, in the fullness of time, this dynasty did indeed bring forth a Ruler to lead God’s people in bringing blessing to all the nations of the earth.

The Folly of Superstition

Superstition today. The book of 1 Samuel provides the most systematic teaching in the Old Testament about the phenomenon of superstition. Though some might define superstition narrowly as social taboos or irrational beliefs, superstition is not limited to these things. At the heart of superstition is simply fear of the unknown. Any attempt to manipulate an unknown deity or the powers that supposedly control the world counts as a form of superstition. Understood in this broader sense, it becomes evident that superstition is still found around the world today, even among those with a Christian background. Believers sometimes think that daily Bible reading and prayer will bring predictable blessings, or that God may be bargained with through giving a bigger offering, or that wearing Christian symbols brings protection from harm. All this is superstition.

Superstition in 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel 4–7, the story of the ark of the covenant (which represented God’s presence; see Ex. 25:10–22) demonstrates how a missionary God responds to superstitious people. In a battle against the Philistines, the Israelites believe that the presence of the ark can guarantee victory in battle: “Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies” (1 Sam. 4:3). But the presence of the ark among them makes no difference. Not only is Israel defeated by the Philistines, but two tragedies follow: “The ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died” (4:11). Here is the greatest crisis so far in Israel’s history. The ark, which symbolized God’s presence and accompanied Israel into the Promised Land, has been taken. And the priest’s two sons, the future leaders of Israel, are both dead. To the Israelites, these setbacks mean nothing less than the collapse of their nation. Their divine leadership and their human leadership have both been lost.

God’s Grace to Israel and to the World

God’s greater purposes. The rest of 1 Samuel 4–7 reveals, however, that God often allows the superstitions of his people to fail so that they might learn that he remains sovereign even in defeat. Israel has given up hope because their false reliance on the ark has failed. But the battle over superstition is just getting started—the Philistines will soon see how a missionary God also defeats their superstition about the ark. They do what victorious armies in the ancient world typically did, moving the symbol of their enemy’s god into the temple of their own god: “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon” (1 Sam. 5:2).

To the Philistines it is clear that Dagon, their god of fertility, is stronger than the God of Israel, because Israel lost the battle. On this point the Israelites would perhaps have agreed. But the next morning, the Philistines wake up to find Dagon flat on his face before the ark of the Lord. The Philistines wonder if perhaps Dagon was positioned improperly on his throne, so they return Dagon to his place. Once more, however, they find Dagon lying prostrate, this time with his head and hands cut off (1 Sam. 5:4).

Drawing all people to himself. Israel is defeated, but the God of Israel certainly is not. He has allowed the ark to be taken by the Philistines because of the superstition of the Israelites, but now the ark defeats the superstition of the Philistines! This account shows that when God’s people are faithless and attempt to manipulate God through their superstitions, he may allow their superstitions to succeed before then using his power to humble them. The humbled Philistines show more respect to the ark than the Israelites had done: “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” (1 Sam. 5:8; compare 4:3). God has hidden his power in Israel but reveals his power in Philistia—the Israelites give up on their God because superstition has led to defeat, yet due to the same superstition and its effects in Philistia, the Philistines give up on Dagon and acknowledge the God of Israel. Thus the superstitious world of both the Israelites and Philistines has been turned upside down by a missionary God who is creatively drawing all peoples to himself.

The Global Message of 1 Samuel for Today

Rejecting superstition. The God of the Bible, the one true God, is not a fickle tribal deity. He cannot be manipulated. When God’s people are superstitious, they show a lack of heartfelt faith in the God who orders all things according to his infinite wisdom. We can pray and act in confidence, not in the fear that drives superstition. Like the mobile ark in 1 Samuel 4–7, the sovereign God of the world is not captive to any particular place or human agenda or superstition.

God’s wisdom through human folly. God is at work not only in victory but also in defeat. His redemptive purposes are accomplished despite, and even through, human weakness and sinfulness. The supreme example of this is the cross of Christ. The world thought that it was defeating God by nailing his Son Jesus to a Roman cross, yet in that moment God was accomplishing his greatest victory (1 Cor. 1:18–2:16). As we confess our sinfulness and place our trust in Jesus alone, the missionary God who has overcome the powers of this world exchanges our sins and superstitions for the righteousness of Christ himself (2 Cor. 5:21) and the abiding presence of his Spirit, who never leaves us (John 14:16–17).

What happens now that Saul and Jonathan are both gone?

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Dive Deeper | 1 Samuel 29-31

Here, in 1 Samuel 30, David faces a critical moment. David's village was burned, and his family and possessions were stolen along with those of his men. David's band is now talking about murdering him.

What were his options? He could have powered up and said something like this: "Who do you think you are? Did you kill Goliath? Were you anointed to be the next king of Israel? Are you the leader? Are you strong enough to face me one-on-one? If so, step up!"

I know this path well. I lived many years of my life choosing to respond out of my flesh, living out the reality of Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." After years of fights and scars, damaged relationships, and strife, God brought me to my knees; and I finally fully surrendered to Him in the spring of 2002. Before then, I continually chose the path of Saul.

Yesterday, we saw Saul take matters into his own hands in a moment of crisis, just as he had in 1 Samuel 13. This time, it not only cost him his kingdom, but also his life and the lives of his sons.

In 1 Samuel 13:14, God describes David as a man after His own heart, and in 1 Samuel 30:6-8 we get to see another reason why. In the midst of the crisis, David hit his knees and sought God, and only after he had heard from God was he ready to rise and lead on the path that God had shown him.

The moments we face define us. We can claim to believe God and to be living for Him, but it is only when the chips are down do we see the true orientation of our hearts. These moments are an opportunity, a chance to both glorify God and strengthen our faith by depending on the Lord and following His lead.

Let us start today by asking God for the faith to also be a man or woman after God's own heart!

This month's memory verse

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

– 1 Samuel 16:7

Discussion Questions

1. What opportunities will you have today to choose to seek God's provision instead of relying on your own strength? It could be in finances, at work, in friendships, with kids, etc.

2. What is the biggest challenge you face from your flesh in these areas? Impatience, fear, pride, lack of contentment, difficulty fully trusting that God will come through, or something else?

3. Whom do you share these struggles (and victories!) with? I encourage each of us to take a step today and share with our community group, spouse, and/or friends our answers to the second question. Then let's commit to encouraging and holding one another accountable in the seasons ahead.