Approaching the Bible – Old Testament [Part 9]: 1 Samuel

Israel is about to enter a new chapter.

The time of the judges is coming to an end, and the nation is beginning its transition toward kingship.

The book of 1 Samuel introduces us to some of the most important people in Israel’s history: Samuel, Saul, and David.

It is a book about leadership.

Obedience.

Pride.

Faith.

And the difference between what people see on the outside and what God sees in the heart.

📖 Background & Context

Author: Traditionally associated with Samuel, with portions likely recorded by other prophets after his death

Audience: Israel and future generations

Theme: God’s sovereignty, obedience, leadership, and the importance of a heart devoted to Him.

First Samuel begins during the final days of the judges.

Israel is spiritually unstable, and the priesthood has become corrupt.

Into that environment, God raises up Samuel, a faithful prophet who will lead Israel and eventually anoint its first two kings.

The people begin demanding a king so they can be like the nations around them.

God allows it.

Their first king is Saul.

He looks exactly like the kind of king people would expect—strong, impressive, and commanding.

But appearance is not enough.

Saul repeatedly chooses his own way over God's commands.

Eventually, God chooses someone very different.

A young shepherd named David.

🔎 What Makes 1 Samuel Unique?

First Samuel shows one of the biggest transitions in the Old Testament.

Israel moves from being led primarily by judges to being ruled by kings.

But the book makes something very clear:

A human king was never meant to replace God.

Israel's greatest problem was not the absence of a king.

It was the condition of their hearts.

One of the most important verses comes when Samuel is sent to choose Israel's next king.

God tells him:

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

That truth becomes one of the central lessons of the entire book.

💡 Key Themes in 1 Samuel

1. God Hears the Prayers of His People

The book begins with a woman named Hannah.

She is deeply hurting because she has been unable to have a child.

Instead of giving up, Hannah brings her pain before God.

She prays honestly.

She weeps.

She trusts Him.

God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to Samuel.

Samuel would go on to become one of Israel's greatest prophets.

Hannah's story reminds us that no prayer is too small and no pain is hidden from God.

2. Obedience Matters More Than Appearances

Saul's greatest downfall was not a lack of ability.

It was a lack of obedience.

Again and again, Saul partially follows God's instructions while still doing what he thinks is best.

Samuel eventually tells him:

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

God is not looking for religious appearances without surrendered hearts.

He desires obedience.

3. God Looks at the Heart

When Samuel is sent to Jesse's family to anoint the next king, even Samuel assumes the strongest-looking son must be God's choice.

But God rejects that way of thinking.

David is the youngest.

A shepherd.

So overlooked that he is not even initially brought before Samuel.

Yet David is the one God chooses.

People may measure success by appearance, position, money, strength, or popularity.

God sees deeper.

He sees the heart.

4. Faith Can Be Bigger Than Fear

One of the most famous moments in Scripture happens when David faces Goliath.

The Israelite army sees an impossible enemy.

David sees a God who is greater.

He tells Goliath:

“The battle is the Lord’s.” (1 Samuel 17:47)

David's confidence does not come from his own strength.

It comes from knowing who God is.

Faith does not mean pretending the giant is small.

It means remembering that God is bigger.

5. Pride Can Slowly Pull Us Away From God

Saul begins his reign with humility.

But over time, pride, jealousy, fear, and insecurity take control.

Instead of trusting God, he becomes obsessed with protecting his position.

He becomes increasingly jealous of David and eventually spends much of his time trying to destroy him.

Saul's life is a warning.

When our identity depends on status, approval, or comparison, we can quickly lose sight of what God is doing.

6. Waiting Is Part of God's Preparation

David is anointed king long before he actually becomes king.

Between the promise and its fulfillment come years of difficulty.

David serves Saul.

He runs for his life.

He hides in caves.

He faces betrayal and uncertainty.

Yet God uses that waiting season to prepare him.

Sometimes God gives us a promise before we are ready to carry the responsibility that comes with it.

The waiting is not wasted.

✨ Why This Matters Today

First Samuel challenges us to ask what kind of heart we are bringing before God.

It is easy to focus on what other people can see.

Success.

Appearance.

Reputation.

Position.

But God is concerned with something deeper.

Are we listening to Him?

Are we obeying even when it is difficult?

Are we trusting Him when we face something bigger than ourselves?

And are we willing to wait for His timing instead of forcing our own?

First Samuel reminds us that God's greatest work often begins in places the world overlooks.

A praying mother.

A young boy hearing God's voice.

A shepherd in a field.

A stone in a sling.

God does not need impressive circumstances to accomplish His purposes.

He needs willing hearts.

🕊 Reflection Questions

• Am I more concerned with how my faith looks or with truly obeying God?

• Is there an area where I know what God is asking me to do but I am resisting?

• What “giant” am I facing that I need to trust God with?

• Am I comparing myself to others instead of focusing on what God has called me to do?

• Could God be using a season of waiting to prepare me for what comes next?

❤️ Final Encouragement

The book of 1 Samuel shows us that God sees what others cannot.

He sees the heart.

He hears the quiet prayer.

He notices the person everyone else overlooks.

And He is able to use ordinary people who are willing to trust Him.

Saul looked like a king.

David had the heart God was looking for.

That difference changed everything.

So when you feel overlooked, unqualified, or stuck in a season of waiting, remember:

God is not measuring you by the world's standards.

Stay faithful.

Stay humble.

Keep trusting Him.

Because the God who saw David in the field still sees you today.