The book of 1 Samuel begins with the people of God living in a time of social, political, and religious transition and upheaval. The book of 1 Samuel finds us at the end of generations of covenant faithlessness throughout the time of the Judges, constant war and threats from neighboring peoples, and a priestly order that is more concerned with their own desires than administering the right worship of Yahweh.
The closing words of the book of Judges echo throughout the opening pages, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Israel will indeed demand a king but not from a holy desire for a righteous ruler. Their search for a king is an envious coveting of the nations around them and a rejection of the righteous rule of Yahweh as their king.
Amid the uncertainty, God raises Samuel to serve as the final judge and a priestly prophet to his people. Through Samuel God will pronounce judgment on the corrupted priesthood, call the people of God to renewed covenant faithfulness, and oversee the social and political transition of Israel by anointing Saul (and eventually David) as king.
At the heart of 1 Samuel is this eternal reality: amid uncertain times, God sees his people, knows what they need, and has sovereignly ordered the means and the ends to meet those needs for his glory and the good of his people.
