Both the first and second books of Samuel describe the role of Samuel as a prophet of God in guiding and disciplining Israel.
The book of 1 Samuel opens with the birth of Samuel, by a very godly woman named Hannah. God spoke directly to Samuel while he was still a young child, who was now working in the Temple. He related to Samuel some of the sinful ways of his leaders sons who also were leaders in the Temple.
We have seen in the book of Exodus how Israel had been delivered from the clutches of Egypt and are now settled in the land of Canaan. Israel has become distracted from the leadership of the Lord, wishing to follow the ways of the nations around them. Up to this point in history Israel have been governed by the Prophets and Judges that God has put in place.
When Samuel was grown up he became the prophet of the time in Israel. Israel came to him and told him they wanted a king to rule them, just as the nations around. Samuel having first consulting with God found he did not approve. But God did reluctantly consent and appointed Saul.
As Saul found his feet and power, he began to rule under his own will, rather than allow the Lord to guide. God was very displeased with him, regretted that he had appointed him, discharging his care and responsibility for Saul, who became very volatile in his behaviour. Samuel was sent to Saul to tell him that he had lost favour with God, and the reasons. God asked Samuel to anoint another man, a man after God’s own heart to be the one to take Saul’s place. This man turned out to be the great king David.
David did not take up the throne for some time so Saul continued to rule. Because of the quality and uprightness of David, his skills learnt in the wilderness in fighting off lions and bears, God gave him great strength, wisdom and privilege. Consequently Saul became extremely jealous. To add to things David struck up a close relationship with Saul’s son Jonathan who always favoured David. Saul tried to appease and seek favour by allowing David to marry his daughter Michal, but her loyalty to David further enraged Saul. Through the whole of this book we see how Saul hunted David seeking to kill him. But because the Lord was with David, he did not succeed. God had appointed David as the next king, so David was well protected.
In the closing chapters of the book we see David having to flee to the land of the Philistines, enemies of Israel, to escape Saul. Yet while David was there under the leadership and presence of God, each time they went to battle with the Israelites the Philistines won. In one of these battles David’s close friend Jonathan was killed and Saul badly injured. Saul seeing the way his leadership and authority was in such disarray, ordered on of his officers to take his life, but the officer refused. Saul then took his own life be falling on his own sword.
Further studies to this book will be given at a later date.