From Rebellion to Redemption: The Rise of David and the Fall of Saul

Welcome to Day 76 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel 14-16, these chapters highlight the contrasting destinies of King Saul and David. In 1 Samuel 14, Saul’s son, Jonathan, demonstrates great faith and courage, but Saul’s rash leadership brings unnecessary hardship. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God's command regarding the Amalekites, leading to his rejection as king. Finally, in 1 Samuel 16, God chooses David, a young shepherd, to be the future king, setting the stage for a major shift in Israel’s leadership. These chapters emphasize the importance of obedience, the consequences of pride, and God’s sovereign choice in raising up leaders according to His will.

1 Samuel Chapter 14: Jonathan, Saul’s son, leads a bold attack against the Philistines, trusting in God’s power to bring victory. His faith sparks confusion in the enemy camp, leading to a miraculous victory for Israel. However, Saul’s poor leadership and impulsive decisions nearly cost his son’s life when he rashly declares a curse on anyone who eats before evening. Unaware of his father’s command, Jonathan eats honey, strengthening himself for battle. The people intervene to save Jonathan from Saul’s foolish oath, exposing Saul’s weaknesses as a leader. This chapter showcases the difference between Jonathan’s faith-driven courage and Saul’s reckless decision-making.

1 Samuel Chapter 15: God commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, but Saul disobeys by sparing King Agag and keeping the best livestock. When confronted by the prophet Samuel, Saul tries to justify his actions by claiming the animals were for sacrifice. Samuel delivers a powerful rebuke, declaring that obedience is better than sacrifice. Because of Saul’s rebellion, God rejects him as king. Saul’s desperate attempt to hold onto power is seen when he clings to Samuel’s robe, symbolizing his downfall. This chapter highlights the severe consequences of disobedience and the danger of prioritizing personal desires over God’s commands.

1 Samuel Chapter 16: With Saul’s rejection finalized, God sends Samuel to anoint a new king from Jesse’s sons in Bethlehem. Despite Samuel’s expectations, God chooses David, the youngest and least likely candidate, showing that He looks at the heart rather than outward appearance. The Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and he is tormented by an evil spirit. David, already chosen by God, is brought to play the harp for Saul, unknowingly entering the king’s service. This chapter marks the beginning of David’s rise, illustrating God’s sovereign choice and preparation of a future leader.

From Loss to Redemption: A Journey of Faith and Favor

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Samuel is named after Samuel, the prophet and judge who played a significant role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. The name Samuel comes from the Hebrew "Šəmuʾēl", which is often interpreted as "heard by God" or "name of God." This reflects how Samuel’s mother, Hannah, prayed for a son, and God answered her request (1 Samuel 1:20).

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of 1 Samuel is to document the shift in Israel’s leadership from judges to kings. It highlights the establishment of monarchy, focusing on three key figures: Samuel (the last judge), Saul (Israel’s first king), and David (Israel’s greatest king-to-be). The book demonstrates God’s sovereignty in appointing leaders, the consequences of obedience and disobedience, and how God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The authorship of 1 Samuel is uncertain, but Jewish tradition (Talmud - Baba Bathra 14b-15a) attributes it to Samuel, Nathan, and Gad based on 1 Chronicles 29:29, which states:

"Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer."

This suggests that Samuel wrote the portions covering his life (1 Samuel 1-24), while Nathan and Gad may have contributed the rest after Samuel’s death. Other biblical references to Samuel’s writings include 1 Samuel 10:25, which states that Samuel recorded events in a book and laid it before the Lord.

Outside the Bible, Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian from the 1st century, supports the view that prophets recorded historical events, affirming Samuel’s role in writing and preserving Israel’s history (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 6, Chapter 13).

Key People:

Samuel – The last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a priest who anoints both Saul and David as kings.
Saul – The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience.
David – A shepherd who is anointed as Saul’s successor; he defeats Goliath and gains fame.
Hannah – Samuel’s mother, who prayed for a child and dedicated him to God.
Eli – The high priest who raises Samuel but fails to correct his wicked sons.
Jonathan – Saul’s son and David’s close friend, known for his loyalty and bravery.
Goliath – The Philistine giant defeated by David with a slingshot and faith in God.
Doeg the Edomite – A servant of Saul who betrays and kills the priests of Nob.
Abigail – A wise woman who prevents David from committing bloodshed and later becomes his wife.

Conclusion

The book of 1 Samuel marks a pivotal transition in Israel’s history, shifting from the era of judges to the establishment of monarchy under Saul and David. It highlights God's sovereignty in choosing and rejecting leaders, emphasizing that obedience and faithfulness matter more than outward appearances. Ultimately, 1 Samuel sets the stage for God's covenant with David, foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah through his lineage.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Samuel 14, YHWH Tzevaot (The LORD of Hosts) – This name emphasizes God's supreme power over armies and battles. Jonathan relies on God’s strength rather than military might, trusting that "nothing can hinder the Lord from saving" (1 Samuel 14:6). The Lord confuses the Philistines, securing victory for Israel despite their small numbers, demonstrating His authority over war.

God reveals Himself as a defender of the faithful and a God of victory. He responds to Jonathan’s trust but also exposes Saul’s poor leadership, showing that wisdom and faith are more valuable than impulsive actions. The lesson in this chapter is that faith in God’s power leads to victory, while human pride and rashness can bring unnecessary struggles.

In 1 Samuel 15, El Emunah (Faithful God) – This name reflects God's unwavering truth and justice. Samuel declares that "the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind" (1 Samuel 15:29), showing that God remains faithful to His word, even when it results in judgment. Saul’s disobedience does not change God’s decision, reinforcing His consistency in dealing with sin.

God is just, holy, and unwavering in His commands. He values obedience over ritualistic sacrifices, proving that partial obedience is still disobedience. The lesson in this chapter is that true devotion to God is shown through complete obedience, not excuses or self-justification.

In 1 Samuel 16, YHWH Roi (The LORD is My Shepherd) – This name reflects God’s guidance and care, seen in His choice of David, a shepherd, to lead His people. Unlike human leaders who judge by appearance, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), demonstrating His role as the true Shepherd of Israel who raises up leaders according to His will.

God is sovereign, wise, and sees beyond human perception. He does not choose based on outward strength but on inner devotion and character. The lesson in this chapter is that God calls and equips those whose hearts are fully surrendered to Him, even if they seem unlikely candidates to the world.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How does God demonstrate His power and authority in these chapters?
What do these chapters reveal about God's justice and faithfulness?
How does God’s ability to see the heart rather than outward appearance reflect His wisdom?
In what ways does God reward faith and obedience in these chapters?
How does God’s rejection of Saul and selection of David highlight His sovereignty?
What do these chapters teach about God's expectations for leadership and trust in Him?
How does God’s character contrast with human weakness in these passages?

Questions About Themes:

What does Jonathan’s victory in 1 Samuel 14 teach about trusting God in difficult situations?
How does Saul’s disobedience in 1 Samuel 15 highlight the theme of obedience versus sacrifice?
What lessons can we learn from God choosing David over his brothers in 1 Samuel 16?
How do these chapters emphasize that faith is more important than outward appearance or status?
What role does humility play in God’s selection and rejection of leaders in these chapters?
How does God’s response to Saul’s actions reinforce the importance of total obedience?
In what ways do these chapters show that God is always working behind the scenes for His purposes?

Reflective Application Questions:

Are there areas in your life where you struggle to fully trust God, like Saul did? How can you grow in obedience?
Have you ever made a decision based on outward appearance rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you align your choices with God’s wisdom?
How can Jonathan’s faith in 1 Samuel 14 inspire you to take bold steps in trusting God?
In what ways have you tried to justify disobedience, like Saul did in 1 Samuel 15? How can you shift toward complete obedience?
If God looks at the heart, what qualities should you develop to be more aligned with His will?
How does knowing that God chooses unlikely people encourage you in your own calling and purpose?
What steps can you take to ensure that your heart remains fully devoted to God, like David’s?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans