The books of Samuel bear his name not because he wrote them, but because he was the prophet-judge who anointed both Saul and David to be kings.

Next to Moses, David is the most important character in the Old Testament. Moses was the one through whom God gave the Law; and through David came Jesus, the grace of God in our humanity.

Not only does David become the channel through whom Jesus comes, he is the living demonstration of God’s grace. Reading his life story, you will not be proud of him. God’s heroes are not perfect, just forgiven. He continually admitted his faults and responded to God’s grace, and so was called a man after God’s own heart. Acts%2013%3A22

Three books cover his origins and his life. Ruth deals with where he came from; I Samuel with his anointing as king; II Samuel with his reign.

Samuel the judge

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1:1–3:21  The child Samuel

4:1–7:14  War with Philistia These chapters belong to the Judges. Keep in mind the spiritual state of the nation as that book describes it.

Saul and Samuel

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7:15–12:25  Saul, the king

13:1–14:52  War with Philistia

15:1–35  The defeat of Amalek

It should be understood that it was always God’s intent to have a king over His people. As far back as Genesis 49 it had been stated that the ruler would come from the tribe of Judah. The problem at this time was that the people wanted a king before God wanted to give them one. They wanted a king because they did not trust in God as their protector. David, of the tribe of Judah, was the first king of God’s plan.

Saul and David

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16:1–17:58  David at Saul’s court

18:1–20:42  David and Jonathan

Note two things in these chapters. The troops of Israel were defeated by Goliath because they did not know the covenant, which promised that all their enemies would flee from them; David knew the covenant, and overcame by trusting the covenant God. And David and Jonathan entered into a blood covenant binding them together for the rest of their lives, and the lives of their families after them.

21:1–26:25  David, the fugitive

It was during these trying days that he probably wrote Psalms Psalm 6, Psalm 7, Psalm 11, Psalm 22, Psalm 23, Psalm 27 and Psalm 52. Read them in order to get inside David’s walk with God at this time. In reading these chapters, note David’s forgiveness of Saul, and also his faith that God will fulfil His promises and make him king.

27:1–30:31  David with the Philistines This is certainly not a time in David’s life to be proud of; he joins God’s enemies against the covenant people.

31:1–13  The deaths of Saul and Jonathan