Week 18, April 27–May 3: 1 Samuel 18–31; 2 Samuel 1–6

• Sun      Apr 27 1 Sam. 18–20
• Mon     Apr 28 1 Sam. 21–23
• Tue      Apr 29 1 Sam. 24–26
• Wed     Apr 30 1 Sam. 27–28
• Thu      May 1  1 Sam. 29–31
• Fri        May 2  2 Sam. 1–3
• Sat       May 3  2 Sam. 4–6

Our reading this week takes us to the end of 1 Samuel and into the first few chapters of 2 Samuel. Keeping in mind that this is probably best read as one continuous narrative, the story does shift from Saul’s kingship to David’s. David has already entered the picture, but with Saul’s death in chapter 31 of 1 Samuel, a new era arises. Saul’s reign ends, and the stage is set for David’s time as king.

God has chosen David to be Israel’s next king, and Samuel has carried out the Lord’s instructions to anoint the son of Jesse, even while Saul was still king (1 Samuel 16). However, it is not until the first part of 2 Samuel, after Saul and his sons die in battle, that David accedes to the throne. At first he reigns in Hebron over Judah (2 Sam 2:1–4), then he unifies all the tribes of Israel and reigns over the unified nation in Jerusalem (5:1–10). From this point forward, Jerusalem becomes the center of Israelite identity, the place where the king resides, where the ark of the Lord dwells, and where the temple will be built.

The books of 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings tell the story of Israel’s history from the time of the judges through the time of the kings in Israel and all the way to the time when Israel and Judah are exiled from the Promised Land as punishment for their sin against the Lord. As we read through these, notice the prophets. The kings often get the attention, but prophets like Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, and Elishah also play key roles in the story. In many cases, they offer a contrasting perspective and a theological critique of the kings and the Israelite people. These prophets are sometimes called the speaking prophets, while the prophets who have biblical books named after them—like, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea—are referred to as the writing prophets. Later in the read thru, when we get to the books of the writing prophets, we will spend a bit more time considering the role of the prophet in OT Scriptures.

We have been reading a lot of narrative literature. In fact, narrative is the dominant type of writing in the Bible. As we are spending a few weeks in these historical narrative books of Samuel and Kings, this is a good time to think about the different types or genres of literature in the Bible. We read different types of literature differently. We don’t read a novel the same way we read a science book, and we would be confused if we tried to read an instruction manual for a power tool as if it were a letter from a loved one. Different interpretive methods apply to different types of literature.

The same principle applies to biblical literature too. Scripture is made up of all kinds of writing. There is narrative, poetry, prophetic writing, law, discourse, letters, and more. Each of these different literary genres has different features and should be read with those features in mind. Later we will cover some basics of reading biblical poetry, but for now let’s think through some of the key elements of the narratives of the Bible.

There are four basic things to look for when reading the stories of the Bible, whether in the OT or the NT: Setting, Characters, Plot, and Patterns. The goal here is not to get too bogged down studying these things, but just to be aware of these features and practice noticing them as we read along.

Setting – This has to do with the place and time in which the events of the story take place. Ask the questions, When? and Where? These details often seem insignificant, but they are not. You don’t need to look up information on every city or town mentioned in the narrative, but do notice the place names or the types of places that are mentioned. Also notice the timing mentioned in the text. When the author says something about the time of the events, that means it is important and worth noticing.

Characters – There are many characters mentioned in 1–2 Samuel and throughout the Bible. Some are more significant than others, and they all play different roles. Pay attention to how each is portrayed. Do they change or develop? Are we supposed to think of their actions and words as good or bad? Do they occupy key roles or offices, and if so, are they functioning in those roles as they should be? One thing unique about the Bible is that, in one sense, God is always the main character in the story. Sometimes he is working in obvious ways and sometimes his activity is more subtle, behind the scenes. But he is always involved and working providentially to accomplish his purposes.

Plot – Like almost all stories, the stories of the Bible typically have a discernable plotline. As events progress, some kind of conflict arises, a situation that presents a problem for the main character or characters. Tension builds until it reaches a climax, then the tension finds a resolution of some kind, at least temporarily. Often the resolution comes about by a work of God. This typical plot sequence is not always followed exactly, but it is helpful to keep the general idea of plot in mind as we read.

Patterns – Often the stories in Scripture are shaped in such a way that recalls other biblical stories. When you are reading and you notice something that sounds familiar or seems similar to something you have read before, pay attention to that. The biblical authors love these kinds of patterns, or echoes, and they are important to the message of the Bible. One of the benefits of cultivating the lifelong habit of regularly reading through the whole Bible is that the more we read it, the more we will notice these kinds of echoes naturally.

Keeping these principles in mind will make reading more enjoyable as we see the beautiful literary design of the Bible. It will also help us see more clearly the message the Lord has for us in his word. Again, the goal is not for everyone to become expert Bible scholars. Rather, we are simply taking seriously the notion that God has inspired the text of Scripture, and every detail that is in there is in there for a reason. When we practice noticing these details, we are better able to understand what God, through the human authors, is trying to communicate. Then we can apply it faithfully to our lives, for his glory and for our good.