Passages: 1 Samuel
Big Idea: God is the one who saves his people. His true King is the one who saves.
Ages: 5-7
Ten lessons exploring the book of 1 Samuel.
The book of 1 Samuel tells the story of Israel’s transition from judges to kings. Yet its central focus is not ultimately on Samuel, Saul or David, but on God himself as the true King. Throughout the book, God is shown to be sovereign over his people, ruling over them and accomplishing his purposes even through flawed and imperfect leaders.
God is always the one who takes the initiative. He hears Hannah’s prayer and graciously gives her a son. He calls Samuel to speak his word to Israel. He rejects Saul because of his disobedience and chooses David to lead and save his people. God’s plans do not depend on human strength, wisdom or goodness. Instead, he works through imperfect people to accomplish his purposes and display his grace.
The book begins with the birth of Samuel, the last of Israel’s judges. Under his leadership, Israel is rescued from the path of self-destruction and called back to faithfulness. Samuel is appointed by God as a prophet; every word God speaks through him comes to pass, including the judgment on Eli and his sons. As God’s prophet, Samuel is also given the responsibility of anointing Israel’s kings—first Saul and later David.
A key theme of 1 Samuel is captured in Samuel’s rebuke to Saul: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22) Saul’s reign is marked by persistent disobedience. He fails to wait for Samuel before offering a sacrifice, disregards God’s command concerning the Amalekites, and then attempts to justify and conceal his sin. Ultimately, Saul is rejected as king because he repeatedly refuses to trust and obey God.
God’s kingship is a major theme throughout the book. Israel’s demand for a king ‘like all the other nations’ is a rejection of God, their true King. Although God grants their request, he lovingly warns them about the burdens and demands that an earthly king will place upon them. Israel ignores the warning and Saul becomes king.
At first glance, Saul appears to be the ideal leader. He is impressive in appearance, standing taller than anyone else in Israel. Yet his outward appearance proves misleading. It’s not his stature but his heart that defines his reign. Saul’s downfall comes through his failure to trust God, obey his word, acknowledge his sin and genuinely repent.
God rejects Saul and gives the kingdom to another—a man after his own heart. David is not chosen because of his strength or appearance, but because he trusts in the Lord. Whether facing Goliath or leading God’s people, the victory belongs to the Lord.
Ultimately, 1 Samuel reminds us that God chooses who will save his people and who will rule over them. The flawed kings of Israel point beyond themselves to Jesus Christ, God’s perfect King. Jesus comes from David’s family line yet, unlike every other human ruler, he perfectly trusts and obeys his Father. His obedience leads him all the way to death on a cross for the salvation of his people. Jesus is the true King who came to save and he now reigns over his people forever.
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