Verse ↓ Deeper Context ↓
3 Verses from ESV
- 1 Samuel 3:10 - "And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"
- 1 Samuel 15:22 - "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
- 1 Samuel 16:7 - "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
- Augustine of Hippo: Augustine of Hippo, a 4th-5th century North African bishop and theologian, is renowned for his works on grace, sin, and divine sovereignty, deeply shaping Western Christianity. In 413 CE, in his "City of God," written in Hippo to defend Christianity against pagan critiques, Augustine reflected on 1 Samuel, stating, "In the anointing of David, we see God's election, which confounds human wisdom and exalts His eternal purpose." This was part of his broader argument on God's providence in history.
- John Piper: John Piper, a 20th-21st century American pastor and theologian, is known for his emphasis on God's glory and Christian hedonism, encouraging believers to find joy in obedience. In 2007, during a sermon at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Piper said, "First Samuel 15:22 cuts to the core—God desires our hearts' obedience, not our empty rituals, a truth Saul learned too late." He preached this to urge his congregation toward authentic worship.
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a 20th-century Welsh preacher and physician, was a key figure in evangelicalism, focusing on expository preaching and spiritual revival. In 1965, in a sermon series on 1 Samuel at Westminster Chapel in London, he stated, "The call of Samuel in chapter 3 teaches us that God speaks to those who listen, a lesson for every believer seeking His will." This was part of his effort to inspire deeper spiritual attentiveness.
Historical Setting and Author Background
1 Samuel unfolds during a transformative period in Israel's history, approximately 1100–1000 BCE, as the nation transitioned from the decentralized rule of judges to a unified monarchy. This era was marked by external threats from the Philistines and internal spiritual decline, with the priesthood under Eli faltering. The book captures the rise of Samuel as a prophet, Saul's reign as Israel's first king, and David's anointing, set against a backdrop of tribal conflicts and a yearning for stable leadership. Traditionally, Samuel is considered the primary author, with contributions from prophets Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29), though many scholars suggest a later editor compiled the text after 931 BCE, during the divided kingdom, to reflect on God's role in Israel's history.
The author's purpose was to demonstrate God's sovereignty in establishing kingship while warning against reliance on human leaders over divine guidance. Through Samuel's prophetic role, Saul's disobedience, and David's heart-centered faith, the book underscores the importance of obedience and God's ultimate authority in leadership.
These verses tie directly to this context. Samuel's call in 3:10 urges a man to hear God's voice in life's uncertainties, guiding his family with faith. The obedience emphasized in 15:22 challenges him to align his work and friendships with God's will, while 16:7 encourages a focus on inner character in his home, reflecting David's anointing over Saul's outward appeal. This historical narrative calls a man to lead with divine wisdom, not worldly standards.
A Timeline of the Top Five Events and People from 1 Samuel
The verses 1 Samuel 3:10, 15:22, and 16:7 align with these events. Samuel's call inspires a man to dedicate his children to God, as Hannah did, while obedience in 15:22 mirrors David's trust, guiding a man's work and friendships. The heart-focused 16:7, seen in David's anointing, urges a man to lead his home with authenticity, trusting God's plan over human expectations, as these events reveal God's redemptive purpose.
- Samuel's Birth and Dedication (1 Samuel 1–3, circa 1100 BCE)
Hannah's prayer for a child and dedication of Samuel to God set the stage for his prophetic role. This event highlights covenant faithfulness in the Old Testament (Genesis 18:19) and foreshadows New Testament themes of answered prayer (Luke 1:13). - The Ark Captured and Returned (1 Samuel 4–7, circa 1080 BCE)
The Philistines capture the Ark, but God's power forces its return, affirming His holiness. This connects to Old Testament reverence for God's presence (Exodus 25:22) and New Testament teachings on God's nearness (John 1:14). - Saul Becomes King (1 Samuel 9–11, circa 1050 BCE)
Saul's anointing as king meets Israel's demand, but his reign reveals the tension between human and divine rule. It ties to Old Testament kingship laws (Deuteronomy 17:14–20) and New Testament warnings against earthly power (John 18:36). - David Anointed as King (1 Samuel 16, circa 1025 BCE)
God chooses David over Saul, emphasizing divine election. This links to Old Testament messianic promises (2 Samuel 7:12–16) and New Testament fulfillment in Christ (Luke 1:32). - David Defeats Goliath (1 Samuel 17, circa 1020 BCE)
David's faith-driven victory over Goliath establishes his reputation, reflecting Old Testament trust in God (Psalm 20:7) and New Testament victory through faith (1 John 5:4).
Hebrew Word Origins and Pronunciations, Meanings of Significant Terms
These Hebrew terms deepen 1 Samuel's message. Shama and shamar, tied to 3:10 and 15:22, urge a man to listen and obey God in his marriage and work, ensuring his leadership reflects divine will. Lev, in 16:7, emphasizes inner transformation, encouraging authenticity with his children and friends. Melek and mashach highlight God's authority, teaching a man to lead his home under divine guidance, not worldly power, anchoring his life in faithful obedience.
- Hear - Hebrew: שָׁמַע (shama, pronounced sha-MAH)
Means to hear, listen, or obey, central to Samuel's response to God. - Obey - Hebrew: שָׁמַר (shamar, pronounced sha-MAR)
Means to keep, guard, or obey, linked to following God's commands. - Heart - Hebrew: לֵב (lev, pronounced LAYV)
Refers to the inner self, mind, or will, key to God's evaluation. - King - Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ (melek, pronounced MEH-lek)
Denotes a ruler, reflecting the monarchy's establishment. - Anoint - Hebrew: מָשַׁח (mashach, pronounced ma-SHAHKH)
Means to smear or anoint, symbolizing God's chosen leadership.
Greek Word Origins and Pronunciations, Meanings of Significant Terms
Since 1 Samuel is an Old Testament book, its original text is Hebrew, but the Septuagint (LXX) provides Greek translations:
These Septuagint terms enhance 1 Samuel's themes. Akouō and hypakouō, linked to 3:10 and 15:22, reinforce the need for a man to hear and obey God in his family and work, fostering a life of submission. Kardia, in 16:7, underscores God's focus on the heart, urging a man to nurture sincerity in his relationships. These words bridge to New Testament teachings, encouraging a man to live with Christ-like integrity in all areas of life.
- Hear - Greek: ἀκούω (akouō, pronounced ah-KOO-oh)
Means to hear or heed, reflecting Samuel's response in 3:10. - Obey - Greek: ὑπακούω (hypakouō, pronounced hoop-ah-KOO-oh)
Means to listen under or obey, amplifying 15:22's call to submission. - Heart - Greek: καρδία (kardia, pronounced kar-DEE-ah)
Refers to the heart or inner self, central to 16:7's divine perspective.
Major and Minor Themes
These themes guide a man today. God's sovereignty, tied to 3:10, calls him to trust divine guidance in his home, while obedience (15:22) challenges him to prioritize God's will in his work and friendships. The heart's value (16:7) urges authenticity with his family, fostering a legacy of faith. In a world of shifting leadership, these truths ground a man in eternal principles for leading his home.
- Major Theme: God's Sovereignty
God's control over leaders and events, seen in Samuel's call and David's rise, affirms His authority. - Major Theme: Obedience vs. Sacrifice
Saul's failure and David's faith show obedience trumps ritual, as in 15:22. - Minor Theme: The Heart's Value
God's choice of David (16:7) emphasizes character over appearance. - Minor Theme: Transition to Monarchy
The shift from judges to kings reflects Israel's leadership struggles.
Modern-Day Example of Applying 1 Samuel and Takeaways for Modern Times
Consider Mark, a modern father and manager, facing a promotion that demands compromising his values. Reflecting on 1 Samuel 15:22, he chooses obedience over sacrifice, declining the role to honor God, much like David's faith over Saul's rituals. At home, he listens to his wife's concerns, echoing 3:10, and leads with a heart God sees (16:7), not just providing materially. His friends admire his integrity, drawing them to faith (Matthew 5:16).
This mirrors Old Testament trust in God (Proverbs 3:5–6) and New Testament calls to faithfulness (Colossians 3:23). Mark's example shows a man can lead his family with godly priorities, impacting his work and friendships. It prompts introspection—am I obeying God's voice, or chasing appearances? A godly man builds a legacy through heart-centered faith, not worldly success.
Connections to Other Biblical Passages
Old Testament Connections
New Testament Connections
These connections deepen 1 Samuel's relevance. Deuteronomy and Judges frame a man's need to lead his home under God's law, while 2 Samuel's promise points to Christ, guiding his children in hope. John and Hebrews connect hearing and obedience to his marriage and work, and Luke ties heart integrity to friendships. A man applies this by rooting his life in Scripture's continuity, trusting God's plan for a Christ-centered legacy.
- Deuteronomy 17:14–20: Rules for kings foreshadow Saul's failures and David's rise, emphasizing obedience.
- Judges 21:25: The lack of a king sets the stage for 1 Samuel's monarchy transition.
- 2 Samuel 7:12–16: God's covenant with David builds on his anointing in 1 Samuel 16.
- John 10:27: Jesus as the Good Shepherd echoes Samuel's listening (3:10), linking to obedience.
- Hebrews 13:17: Obedience to leaders reflects 15:22's principle in a church context.
- Luke 16:10: Faithfulness in small things, like David's heart (16:7), ties to eternal reward.
Summary
1 Samuel reveals God's sovereignty, the priority of obedience, and the value of the heart amid Israel's shift to monarchy. It equips a modern man to hear God's call, obey His will, and lead with integrity, shaping his home, work, and friendships with Christ-like wisdom.
- How can I better hear God's voice in my daily life? 1 Samuel encourages a man to pause and listen, fostering patience in his marriage and clarity in his work.
- What does God see in my heart that needs refining? This book urges a man to seek inner transformation, leading his family and friends with authenticity.
A Short Prayer
Lord,
Empower the men and women reading this to hear Your voice as Samuel did, to obey You above all as 1 Samuel teaches, and to lead with hearts You approve. Guide them as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, friends, and workers, reflecting Your love and wisdom today.
Amen.