Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 101
I M M E R S E D I N S A M U E L –K I N G S
T H E B O O K S K N O W N T O D AY as
1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings were
originally a single work later divided due to the size limitations of ancient scrolls. In its original unity, S
amuel–Kings tells the story of the
Israelite monarchy from beginning to end.
Hebrew tradition tells us that this grand work was put together over
time from the records kept by prophets—such as Samuel, Nathan,
and G
ad—who were God’s messengers to the people of Israel. They
observed crucial moments in the life of the nation, interpreted events in
light of God’s covenants, and recorded their insights for posterity. The
royal history of Samuel–Kings, therefore, is also the story of the word
of the Lord, spoken through his prophets in response to the deeds of
Israel’s rulers.
While Samuel–Kings is drawn from the records of various prophets
and collected to address the concerns of different historical periods,
a single literary structural pattern runs all the way through the work.
A repeated formula describes how long the kings reigned, where they
reigned, and how old they were when their reigns began.
But the two halves of Samuel–Kings also have separate concerns. We
can understand the intent of the first half by recalling one of the purposes of the preceding b
ooks—to predict and defend the monarchy in
Israel. The book of Deuteronomy made provision for the requirements
of a future king. The book of Judges reminded Israel how bad things
were before they had their first king. The story of Ruth revealed how
the descendant of a Moabite could still be “God’s anointed.”
The first half of S
amuel–Kings is similarly a defense of the monarchy. It reminds the people that they asked for a king, even though the
prophet Samuel warned them that a king would burden them with taxes
and labor. Specifically, it describes the establishment of the monarchy
and then explains why God ultimately rejected Saul, the first king.
But far more importantly, the first half of S
amuel–Kings describes the
fourth covenant, which gives structure to the ongoing story of the Bible.
Israel’s second king, David, is a man after God’s own heart, and God
promises that a lasting dynasty of kings will come from David. Israel’s
89