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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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Last lesson we noted the appeal of Saul to the people—tall, handsome and from a tribe of warriors. Saul represents an ideal ancient Near Eastern leader. But as we’ve seen time and again, God’s values and His view of history are often different than our own.

When Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint David, God tells Samuel He has already chosen the next king. 1 Samuel 16:1 reads most literally, “I have seen for myself a king among (Jesse’s) sons,” and then the themes of “looking” and “appearances” continue throughout the chapter. 

We’re told that David is “a handsome man” but also one whom the “LORD is with.” The most important factor for YHWH is something quite different than looks and appearances: 

The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart. 

1 Samuel 13:14 (NASB)

David is chosen by God foremost for his heart, though he also appeals to people for being “ruddy” and “handsome.” God uses cultural appeal to reinforce a more essential requirement.

Reference and translation of 1 Samuel 16:1: Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, 2001, pp. 253-254.