Overview of 1 Samuel 1:1–7:17

When telling a story, it is frequently difficult to know how to start. In explaining to a later audience how Israel came to be ruled by a king, the narrator of Samuel begins toward the end of the dark days of the judges. Externally the land is oppressed by its enemies, particularly the Philistines, and internally the nation is in spiritual decline as it drifts along without moral guidance, under a leadership that is weak (Eli) and corrupt (Eli’s sons). All that keeps it from utter shipwreck is the Lord’s continuing commitment to his people. He graciously intervenes to restore their fortunes, doing so in characteristically divine fashion. He hears the despairing prayer of a childless wife and gives her a son, Samuel, who becomes the last of the judges. Through Samuel, the Lord reverses the nation’s failure and defeat.

The narrative of Samuel’s birth (1 Samuel 1) is followed by the prayer of Hannah (2:1–11), which provides insight into the thoughts and hopes of the pious in Israel during this period of spiritual decay. When Samuel as a young boy is dedicated to a life in God’s service at the national shrine in Shiloh, his life and character contrast with the corrupt behavior of the priests there (2:12–36). The story of the Lord’s call of Samuel as a prophet in chapter 3 provides a gleam of light in the darkness, but there are still many years of suffering to come upon the land.

While Samuel is growing up, the national crisis intensifies. The Israelites take the ark of God into battle with them, but when they are heavily defeated the Philistines capture it (ch. 4). This catastrophe threatens the identity and very existence of the people of God. However, when the victorious Philistines bring the ark into the temple of their god as a trophy of war, the Lord asserts his sovereignty over pagan deities by breaking the idol and bringing an outbreak of plague upon the Philistine cities (ch. 5). In despair the Philistines return the ark to Israelite territory (ch. 6).

Finally, the crisis is resolved in Israel. Twenty years pass, during which Samuel works steadily to reverse the nation’s decline (7:3–4). Eventually he convenes a meeting of the tribes at Mizpah in which they display contrition and repentance (7:5–6). Since the people now accord the Lord his rightful place in their lives, when the Philistines attack them God intervenes to rout the Philistines, and Israel is enabled to defeat their armies (7:7–12). In the ensuing peace Israel regains lost territory, while Samuel is judge over the land (7:13–17).