1 Samuel Audio Sermons

1 Samuel records the end of the judges and the beginning of Israel’s monarchy. Through Samuel, Saul, and David it shows the king God chooses and the obedience he requires.

Background of writing

• Author and inspiration — Samuel, Nathan, Gad, and others wrote (1 Sam. 10:25; 1 Chr. 29:29), and later prophets arranged it under God’s inspiration.
• Date of writing — About 1100–1010 BC, from Samuel’s ministry until David becomes king. It may have been arranged in the days of David or Solomon.
• Historical setting — Eli’s house decays; Samuel is called; the people demand a king; Saul reigns and disobeys; David is anointed, hunted by Saul, and rises to the throne.

Purpose of writing

• Through Samuel, God judged a corrupt priestly house and raised a leader who obeyed word and prayer.
• When the people demanded a king, he gave them Saul, who was not after his heart, and chose David, “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14).
• It teaches that God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Sam. 16:7), and prepares the messianic kingdom.

Select a session in the list below to play the exposition in the player. (64 sermons)