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1 and 2 Samuel: The Rise of Kingship

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of 1 and 2 Samuel (1 Samuel 1–3, 8)
    19 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Samuel and Kingship (1 Samuel 4–12)
    24 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Saul’s Demise (1 Samuel 13–19, 28–31)
    25 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    David’s Rise (1 Samuel 16–27, 29–30)
    26 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    David's Reign (2 Samuel)
    23 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

The issue of monarchy is central to 1 Samuel. The book seems to offer different views of this institution. Sometimes it is treated favorably, and other times unfavorably. We’re going to talk more about this dynamic In Front of the Text, but it’s important for us to acknowledge this pattern before moving on. Review the passages below and identify each as being pro- or anti-monarchy.

For each of the following passages, in your workbook fill in either “anti-monarchy” or “pro-monarchy”:

QuestionPassageView of monarchy
5.1 Samuel 8:1-22
6.1 Samuel 9:1–10:16
7.1 Samuel 10:17-27
8.1 Samuel 11:1-15
9.1 Samuel 12:1-25
See the table below for the answers to this above exercise. Notice how the debate proceeds back and forth from anti- to pro-monarchy.

Adapted from: Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, 2001, p. 230.

Passage View of monarchy
1 Samuel 8:1-22 Anti-monarchy
1 Samuel 9:1–10:16 Pro-monarchy
1 Samuel 10:17-27 Anti-monarchy
1 Samuel 11:1-15 Pro-monarchy
1 Samuel 12:1-25 Anti-monarchy