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Walking Thru The Bible
1 & 2 SAMUEL
AUTHOR: Much of these two books were written by the prophet
whose name the books bear, Samuel. But not all of it could be
authored by him, for it records his death and some subsequent events.
I Chronicles 29:29-30 provides the information for us that the
material in this time of Israel's history was recorded by Samuel, and
the prophets Nathan and Gad who followed him.
Samuel was Judge, Prophet and Priest. He was a Levite, a
descendant of Kohath (1 Chron. 6:26, 33), and was not redeemed at
birth but was dedicated to the Lord from his infancy (thus he
belonged to God and God's use). Geographically he was an
Ephraimite.
DATE: First Samuel begins with the birth of Samuel in about 1100
BC to the death of King Saul in 1010 BC. Second Samuel begins at
that time frame and continues with Israel's history till the death of
David in 970 BC.
STRUCTURE: The events of 1st and 2nd Samuel cover roughly
130 years. The lives of three great men of this period overlap in the
first book. The prominent characters of FIRST SAMUEL are:
SAMUEL: The Last of the Judges -- Ch. 1 - 8
SAUL: The First of the Kings -- Ch. 8 - 15
DAVID: The Anointed Successor -- Ch. 16 - 31
The book of SECOND SAMUEL is the "Book of David's Reign." It
opens with David reigning in Judah immediately after Saul's death.
The book closes just before David's death when he "was old and
stricken in year." Its structure looks like this:
David's Triumphs -- Ch. 1 - 12
David's Troubles -- Ch. 13 - 24
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Three great characters and many
other important ones, are found in this time of Israel's history. We are
probably more familiar with the stories of this part of the Old
Testament than any other.
The stories of Eli, Samuel, Saul and David stand at the forefront,
but also there are the stories of Saul's general Abner, and David's
general Joab, and of Goliath, Jonathan and the rebellion of David's
son Absalom against his father, and David and Bathsheba's sin which
all occur within the time frame of these two books of the Old
Testament. There are many lessons to be learned from man's
weakness and sin and God's love and forgiveness. We learn that
obedience will be rewarded and disobedience will be severely
punished.
OUTLINE: A more detailed outline of First Samuel would be:
Ch. 1 - 12 Judgeship of Samuel
1:1-2:11 Birth and infancy of Samuel
2:12-3:21 Childhood of Samuel
4:1-22 Loss of the ark and end of Eli's house
5 - 7 Captivity of the Ark
8 - 10 Installation of Saul as Israel's first king
11 - 12 Samuel's retirement
Ch. 13-31 Reign of Saul
13-14 Early days of Saul's reign and victories
15 God's rejection of Saul
16 David chosen as Saul's successor
17 David's meeting with Goliath
18 Saul's reception of David into his court
19 David's flight from Saul's court
20 David's farewell to Jonathan
21 David's flight from Saul to Gath
22-23 Saul's reprisals against & pursuit of David
24 Saul's life spared by David
24-26 David's continued flight from Saul
27 David's second flight to Gath
28-29 Preparations for Saul's last battle
30 David's return to Ziklag
31 Saul's last battle, his and Jonathan's death.
An Outline of Second Samuel:
Ch. 1 - 12 David's Triumphs
1 - 4 David at Hebron (Civil war period)
5 - 12 David King of all Israel at Jerusalem
7:8-16 The Davidic Covenant
8-10 David's reign at its highest - victory abounds
11 David's great sin
12 David's confession
Ch. 13 - 24 David's Troubles
13-14 David has problems with his children
15-18 Absalom's rebellion
19-24 David is forgiven, his kingdom reestablished.
Some Lessons For Us From The Book of First Samuel
1. From Eli, Samuel, and David we learn that it is possible for great
men to fail as fathers.
2. From Saul we also learn that great advantages and remarkable
opportunities do not guarantee success.
3. We learn that there is nothing that will take the place of
obedience to God (I Samuel 15:22).
4. The experiences of the past are recorded to provide lessons of
warning and encouragement for the present (Romans 15:4).
Some Lessons from the Book of Second Samuel
1. In David we see something of how God providentially cares for
those whose heart are set on him and who want to do His will.
2. From the time of Israel's civil war between generals Joab and
Abner we learn a lesson about the folly of division (A house
divided cannot stand).
3. There is a major lesson to be learned from David on the folly of
fleshly lusts which war against the soul.
4. We can learn a great lesson on the proper attitude needed for the
heart and how one must deal with sin in his life.
5. We learn that truly God's grace and mercy is great!
6. Other thought-provoking lessons to be learned:
a. David recognized the chief good even in his enemies
(2 Samuel 2:33, 38).
b. The contents of a prayer from a sincere and thankful heart (2
Samuel 7:18-29).
c. The proper attitude in the death of a child (2 Samuel 22-23)
d. The kind of friend that no one needs (2 Samuel 13:1-3).
e. The feelings of old age (2 Samuel 19:35).
f. When it is better to fall into God's hands rather than men's (2
Samuel 24:14).
- - - SERMON - - -
David and Mephibosheth
2 Samuel 9
Introduction:
1. The story of David and Mephibosheth is one of the many fine
stories in the Old Testament with a great lesson for us today
(Romans 15:4).
2. It points out some of the finer virtues of a good character and
emphasizes the value of good friendships and their effect in later
life.
3. The background on the story of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4).
I. DAVID and MEPHIBOSHETH
1. David had a desire to remember for good Saul and Jonathan
(2 Samuel 9:1) "Is there anyone left of the house of Saul that I
may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
a. Our thoughts in hours of quietness when alone show what we
really are at heart.
b. Do we fill our heart and dwell on mistreatment we have
received from others?
c. Do we look for opportunities to do good?
2. From David we see the power of sacred associations and
friendship of the past.
a. Evidently this thought came upon David as he walked down
memory lane and his soul was touched again by his memories
of Jonathan's friendship.
b. The power of good memories can have long lasting effect
upon others.
II. FOR JONATHAN'S SAKE (2 Samuel 9:7)
1. Children may be blessed after their parents are gone by good
deeds done to others.
2. Nothing could be done for Jonathan but that was no excuse for
doing nothing. He could do the next best thing.
a. One person was overheard saying, "I don't know how I will
ever be able to repay all the kindness shown me."
CONCLUSION:
1. Picture what David did "For Jonathan's Sake" for Mephibosheth.
2. Picture what God has done "For Jesus' Sake" for us.
a. 2 Cor. 4:5; Eph. 4:32.
3. What if Mephibosheth had rejected David's love?
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