40 Weeks of your Life: 1 Samuel
06-22-2006
by Vicky Beeching

1 and 2 Samuel were originally one text, until the Old Testament was translated into Greek, and they were divided in two. These two books contain some of my most loved Bible passages, as we find ourselves in the company of both Samuel and then David, men who have much to teach us from both their good and painful seasons of life.

The structure of 1 Samuel falls into stories rather than sections, as different characters step onto the stage and play their role, then exit making way for the next to take the lead. It's like a movie, flowing from generation to generation… Eli, Samuel, Saul, David…

The book opens with the scene of Eli the Priest's judgment. He was removed from his position due to the evil ways of his sons. Whenever God shuts a door, He always opens a window - so as the sun set on Eli's leadership role, the Lord raised up a young boy named Samuel to rule over Israel. The story of Hannah's prayer and Samuel's birth is beautiful. It's reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted and does miraculously answer the cry from a believing heart.

Time passes, and Samuel is then called by God to anoint Saul as King over Israel. We read of Saul's greatness, then as the story goes on, his downfall and rejection by God. Samuel then returns to the stage carrying his anointing oil, and this time consecrates a young shepherd boy David to be ruler. Don't miss the amazing verse in 16:7 "People look at the outwards appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart". What a profound lesson about how we see others and ourselves!

David's amazing heart and character shine through, as he refuses to strike Saul even when given the opportunity. As the book ends we read that Saul and Jonathan died in battle, leaving David deeply grieved for his best friend and for his King.

1 Samuel reminds me that each of us is part of a big drama that is playing out on the canvas of time. God has an appointed place for each of us in it. When Hannah gave birth to Samuel, she had no idea that one day he would stand and anoint David - Israel's most honored King - for leadership. Likewise, David had no idea as he took the throne, that from his own family line one day the Saviour of the world - Jesus - would be born. We never know what God has in store for us, as we can't view the full picture from where we are standing. Seeing the divine tapestry woven from the life-threads in 1 Samuel, I am inspired to believe that God's aerial view sees great things in store for all of us!