General Comments on 1 Samuel There is a lot of obscure Hebrew in this book, and the KJV oftentimes doesn't render it plainly (note all of the footnotes in the LDS Edition KJV that attempt to clarify the poor translation of the Hebrew). This is also the case with many modern translations. The Jewish Publication Society (JPS) translation does a much better job and provides footnotes that identify and explain the obscure Hebrew. In depth study of this book will require obtaining a good translation, and I recommend the JPS. General Comments on 1 Samuel 9-17 Herein we see Saul's rise and fall. It can be mapped out on the board as a diagram like this: 12:14-25 11:14-15 /\ 13:2-7 11:12-13 / -> 13:8-14 11:5-11 / | \ 14:1-23 10:20-27 / | \ 14:24-45 10:14-16 / | \ 15:8-30 10:9-10 / | \ 16:12-13 9:20-21 / | \ 16:14-23 9:2 / | \ 17 | |------->| 7 days Humility Pride Spirituality Carnality 9:2 Not a goodlier person among Israel than Saul 9:20-21 Wherefore then speakest thou to me? 10:9-10 God gave him another heart, Spirit falls on him 10:14-16 Of the matter of the kingdom he told him not 10:20-27 He hath hid himself among the stuff 11:5-11 Spirit impells him to protect Israel from oppressors 11:12-13 There shall not be a man put to death this day 11:14-15 Saul and all the men of Israel rejoice greatly 12:14-25 Samuel warns Israel and her king of disobedience 13:2-7 Saul goes on the offensive against Philistines 13:8-14 Usurps the sacrifice when Samuel told him to wait 14:1-23 Jonathan turns things around, not Saul 14:24-45 Saul imperils Jonathan's life with stupid oaths 15:8-30 Saul sets himself up a place, keeps Amalekite spoils 16:12-13 David anointed as new king 16:14-23 Saul abandoned by Spirit and left to go insane 17 Saul an ineffective leader, upstaged by zealous David I am not suggesting the text is chiastic, but there are a number of blatant contrasts in the text. For example, in 11:12-13 Saul refuses to allow his detractors to be put to death on a day in which the Lord delivers Israel, but in 14:24-45 he is issuing oaths that are imperilling the lives of his soldiers and ultimately his own son. And in 11:5-11 we have Saul impelled by the Spirit to protect Israel from oppression, where in 13:2-7 Saul decides to go on the offensive against the Philistines. And in 10:9-10 Saul is born again, whereas in 16:14-23 the Spirit abandons him and he is left to go insane. What does this say about power, popularity, and adulation? Comments on 1 Samuel 9 Here we have the general background on how God engineered Saul's and Samuel's meeting. We also get some general background on Saul. He was from humble circumstances from a small un- noteworthy family. v2 Here we have the opposite case of 16:7. Saul had all of the superficial attributes necessary to make a charismatic leader. v6-10 Obviously Saul is a man who fears God, respects His Prophet, and recognizes the power of revelation. v17-21 The KJV is obtuse on v. 20, and the NAS is even more obscure. The JPS renders it most clearly: 17 As soon as Samuel saw Saul, the Lord declared to him, "This is the man that I told you would govern My people." 18 Saul approached Samuel inside the gate and said to him, "Tell me, please, where is the house of the seer?" 19 And Samuel answered Saul, "I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the shrine, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, after telling you whatever may be on your mind. 20 As for your asses that strayed three days ago, do not concern yourself about them, for they have been found. And for whom is all Israel yearning, if not for you and all your ancestral house?" 21 Saul replied, "But I am only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my clan is the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin! Why do you say such things to me?" v21 Saul is surprised at Samuel's suggestion and questions it, Indicating Saul's present humility. v23-24 Here it is made plain publicly, before both Saul and all attending the dinner, that it was revealed to Samuel beforehand that the king of Israel would be led to him imminently. v25-27 Samuel takes Saul aside and tutors him privately on the word of the Lord, presumably in preparation for being king of Israel. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.