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Introduction to 1st Samuel: God Uses the Humble and Overlooked

Introduction to 1st Samuel :  God Uses the Humble and Overlooked Collin Leong. August 4, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Title and Authorship Title Origin : In the Hebrew Bible, 1 and 2 Samuel form a single book named after the prophet Samuel , a central figure in both. Traditional Authorship : Samuel is believed to have written the early portions (up to his death in 1 Samuel 25). Nathan and Gad , two prophets active during David’s reign, are traditionally credited with completing the narrative, as suggested by 1 Chronicles 29:29 . Modern Scholarship : Some scholars view the book as a compilation of prophetic records, royal archives, and oral traditions, later edited into its final form during or after the exile. 2. Audience and Background Primary Audience : The Israelite community , especially those living during or shortly after the early monarchy period (around 1050–970 BC), including the reigns of Saul and David. Secondary Audience : Later generations of Israelites who needed to...
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1 Samuel 28: Saul's Incorrect Response to God's Silence

1 Samuel 28:  Saul's Incorrect Response to God's Silence v1 - 10: God was silent to Saul Samuel passed away and was buried in Ramah, his own city.  The Philistines planned to go to war against Israel, and Achish asked David to accompany them. David, who had never killed any Israelites, nor wish to kill any, just replied with something vague: “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.”  David did not promise to kill Israelites but just said that he has the capability. Achish trusted David and made him his bodyguard.  The Philistines encamped at Shumen, while Saul brought his army at Gilboa. Gilboa is in the mountainous region and Saul can see the multitude of Philistines armies assembled. Saul was extremely afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. Saul inquired God what he should do, and expecting Him to support him. However God did not answer him as He has departed from Saul. Instead of repenting for his sins, Saul committed another sin by approaching a med...
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1 Samuel 27: David Lost His Inner Compass

1 Samuel 27: David Lost His Inner Compass v1-7: David succumb to fear and lies This chapter describe one of the dark moments in David's life as he continue to hide from Saul. I'm sure he is also pressurized by his men who had been waiting very long for David to be king. They also have their families who are worried for them and want them to stop running and to be with them.  However, God has his own time. David ran out of patience and give in to the fear that Saul will eventually caught up to him, if he continued to hide in the Judean wilderness. But instead of going to God as usual, he took things into his own hands. David came up with a strategy to move out of the land of Israel into the land of the Philistines. His theory is that Saul would not dare to go into Philistine to hunt for him.  David approached Achish, the king of Gath, and told him that he and his 600 men are enemies of Israel and Saul.  Achish believed David, and gave him a small town called Ziklag for all...
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1 Samuel 20 - Jonathan Risk All

1 Samuel 20 - Jonathan Risk All v1-v23 - Trust in Jonathan David left Naioth and went looking for his friend, Jonathan. Jonathan was surprised at what David told him, for he did not know that his father had reverse his promise, even when he used the Lord's name. He assumed that Saul will tell him if he changed his mind.  David said Saul will not tell Jonathan his intentions, for he knows of Jonathan's love for David and Saul did not want him to be grieved.  Jonathan promised to do whatever David ask. David told him that he will not attend the celebration of new moon tomorrow, and ask Jonathan to tell Saul that he had to go home to Bethlehem for a yearly sacrifice with his clan. If Saul became angry, then he knows that he intends to kill him.  David added that if he had something wrong, then Jonathan should kill him directly, instead of bringing him to Saul. Jonathan ask David to trust him, for if he knows what Saul had intended to do, he will surely have told David. ...
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1 Samuel 19 - The Evil and The Holy Spirit

1 Samuel 19 - The Evil and The Holy Spirit  v1-7: Jonathan, the peace maker It was not enough that Saul hated David, but he even commanded his servants and son that they should also kill David when they see him. The hate of one man had spread to a few men, but later on it would become a war.  Jonathan went to David secretly and told him Saul's plan, and that David should hide. Jonathan told David he will speak to Saul and influence him to abandon the plan.  The next day, Jonathan pleaded with Saul not to kill David. For David hasn't done anything wrong and had been a great help to Saul from slaying Goliath and success in battles. In fact, Saul was happy when David won and there was no reason to kill him now.  Saul finally agreed not to kill David, and he swore in the Lord's name. However, we know Saul will never keep his promise even in the Lord's name. Jonathan told David the good news, and brought him back to Saul.  Jonathan acted as a peace maker between the ...
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Samuel 18: Saul Feared David

Samuel 18: Saul Feared David  v1-5: Love of Jonathan and David Jonathan loved David, and his soul is said to be "knitted" (bounded) to David. This is despite that Jonathan was the crown prince, the first son of Saul, in contrary to David who was the last son of a farmer.  Their souls are intertwined for they have the same relationship with God, the way that Christians have with one another. Jonathan gave his own royal robes and armor and weapons to David, and made a covenant with him. This was as if it was a premonition that David will become the next king instead of Jonathan.  In the same way, Jesus had everything in heaven, but yet loved us who are nobodies enough to become a moral sacrifice. Jesus gave his heavenly robes to become naked on the cross, and made a covenant with us to be co-heir with Him in His kingdom. Jesus also gave us his armor, the Holy Spirit, to protect us from spiritual enemies.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through H...
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Samuel 17 - David and Goliath

 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath v1-12: Israel Paralyzed Under Fear Once again, the Philistines invaded Israel. Saul brought his army to the Valley of Elah, which was in between Sochoh and Azekah, where the Philistines were. As usual, they encamped at the opposite mountain with the valley in between, as it is disadvantage for the an army to attack up hill. The Philistines came up with a strategy, for they have soldiers who have the stature of giants. One of them was Goliath, who was about 9 feet tall. Goliath was equipped with full armor, which was estimated to be 70 to 90 kg He had an advance iron spearhead weighing 7 kg at the end of his spear.  Goliath demanded for a one-to-one battle with the Israelites. The team that loses will become the slave to the winning team. Unfortunately, no one in Israelites army had the courage to take up the challenge. Saul himself was probably the tallest man in Israel's army (1 Samuel 9:2), but even he do not have the confidence in himself...
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