First Samuel

The book of First Samuel picks up the story of the Nation of Israel about 360 years after the Exodus from Egypt. The first ninety years out from Egypt, Israel was led by Moses and Joshua. With Joshua's death, the nation was supposed to follow the LORD's laws with the LORD as their leader and the High Priest as His ultimate judge on earth over the people. The LORD delegated authority to the High Priest, and the High Priest delegated authority to judges and prophets. But over the next 270 years, the people grew weary of relying on the priestly line and sought a different earthly leader. The birth of the prophet Samuel is introduced, and his association with Eli, the High Priest, starts the storyline. Eli is not a good High Priest. As an adult, Samuel became the major prophet in Israel. In Chapter 8, the people of the tribe of Manasseh ask Samuel for a king to rule over them. King Saul is chosen. Early in King Saul's rule, he disobeyed the LORD's instruction, and the LORD had Samuel anoint the shepherd boy, David, about 17 years old, to be the next king after King Saul. David will be introduced to King Saul that year. David will kill Goliath. The people will love David; King Saul will begin to hate David. Over the next 13 years, King Saul will try to kill David. Many of King Saul's men will join David while he runs from Saul. Finally, in the last chapter, Saul is dead. David will become the King of Israel. The storyline in this book has many twists and turns and is very interesting and enjoyable. The chapters in this book match the chapters in your Bible.