The book of Samuel (known as 1 and 2 Samuel) is about the rise of the Messiah, which means "anointed one." In the last days of the judges, Israel demanded a king like all the other nations. Their request was a rejection of the LORD as king, but God told Samuel the prophet to answer their request (1 Sam 8:7, 10:19). God gave them Saul, a king truly like the nations. But Saul's rejection of the LORD's word led to his downfall (1 Sam 15:23). Out of the ashes of Saul's rejected kingship, the LORD tells Samuel to anoint David king, 'a man after his own heart' (1 Sam 13:14). And while the LORD never rejects David, David's reign, which begins triumphantly, is also plagued by failure and tragedy (2 Sam 13-20, 24). Nevertheless, the LORD makes an everlasting covenant with David to raise up for him a son, and he will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Sam 7:12-13; cf. 22:51; 23:5). The NT reveals that the only king that can rule God's people is God himself. God sends his own son, the Lord Jesus, to be the anointed son of David, the Messiah (Gk. "Christ"), whose kingdom shall have no end (Luke 1:32-33; Rev 11:15). |
