Knowing God Through the History and Theology of 1 Samuel

The book of 1 Samuel is a fascinating account of the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. It tells the stories of Samuel, the last judge and the first prophet, Saul, the first king and the tragic hero, and David, the anointed successor and the man after God’s own heart. Through these narratives, we can learn a lot about the nature and character of God, and how He relates to His people. In this article, we will explore some of the attributes and characteristics of God that are revealed in the book of 1 Samuel, and how they can help us in knowing God better.

God’s Attributes and Characteristics in 1 Samuel

• God is sovereign. God is the King of the universe and always has been. No human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King¹. God has the ultimate authority and power over everything that happens in history and in the lives of His people. He chooses or rejects people according to His absolute sovereign will and purpose². He can raise up or bring down anyone He pleases³. He can use anyone or anything to accomplish His plan, even the enemies of His people⁴. He can also intervene miraculously to show His sovereignty, such as by sending thunder and rain in the harvest season⁵ or by striking the Philistines with tumors and panic⁶.
• God is faithful. God keeps His promises and expects us to keep ours. God promised Hannah blessings and gave her a child. She kept her word and gave Samuel back to God. God also promised to give Israel a king, and He did so despite their rejection of Him. God made a covenant with David to establish his throne forever, and He remained faithful to him even when he faced opposition and persecution. God also remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and did not forsake His people even when they sinned against Him.
• God is holy. God is set apart from His creation and He is morally perfect. He demands holiness from His people and He does not tolerate sin. He punished the sons of Eli for their wickedness and irreverence in the tabernacle. He rejected Saul for his disobedience and rebellion. He also disciplined David for his adultery and murder. God’s holiness requires that His people worship Him in spirit and in truth, and that they obey His commands and statutes. God’s holiness also provides a standard for His people to emulate and aspire to.
• God is gracious. God is merciful and compassionate towards His people. He hears their cries and answers their prayers. He heard Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son. He heard Israel’s cry and delivered them from the Philistines. He heard David’s plea and spared his life from Saul. God’s grace also extends to those who do not deserve it, such as Saul, whom God gave a new heart and the Spirit of God, or Abigail, whom God rescued from the folly of her husband. God’s grace also motivates His people to show grace to others, such as David, who spared Saul’s life twice and showed kindness to his descendants.
• God is personal. God is not a distant or impersonal deity, but a living and relational God. He knows His people intimately and He reveals Himself to them. He called Samuel by name and spoke to him directly. He revealed His will and His word to His prophets and His people. He also showed His presence and His power to His people through signs and wonders. God’s personal nature invites His people to have a personal relationship with Him, to love Him, to trust Him, and to know Him more deeply.

Conclusion

The book of 1 Samuel is a rich source of insight and inspiration for anyone who wants to know God better. It reveals some of the attributes and characteristics of God that are essential for our faith and our life. It also challenges us to examine our own hearts and our own responses to God. Are we like Hannah, who prayed fervently and dedicated her son to God? Are we like Samuel, who listened to God’s voice and obeyed His commands? Are we like David, who was a man after God’s own heart and who trusted in God’s promises? Or are we like Saul, who disobeyed God and lost His favor? Are we like Eli’s sons, who profaned God’s holiness and incurred His wrath? Are we like Nabal, who was foolish and ungrateful? The book of 1 Samuel invites us to reflect on these questions and to seek God’s grace and guidance in our journey of knowing Him.

¹: Introduction to 1–2 Samuel ²: 1 Samuel 2:6-10; 16:1-13 ³: 1 Samuel 2:30-36; 15:26-29 ⁴: 1 Samuel 5:1-12; 23:26-29 ⁵: 1 Samuel 12:16-18 ⁶: 1 Samuel 6:1-12 : 1 Samuel 1:9-28 : 1 Samuel 8:1-22; 9:15-17 : 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 23:14-18 : 1 Samuel 12:22 : 1 Samuel 2:12-36; 4:10-22 : 1 Samuel 13:8-14; 15:10-35 : 1 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:1-15 : 1 Samuel 1:9-20 : 1 Samuel 7:3-14 : 1 Samuel 19:9-18; 23:19-29 : 1 Samuel 10:6-13 : 1 Samuel 25:1-42 : 1 Samuel 24:1-22; 26:1-25; 2 Samuel 9:1-13 : 1 Samuel 3:1-21 : 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8; 15:1-3; 23:1-5 : 1 Samuel 5:1-12; 6:13-21; 7:10-12; 12:16-18