Samuel

This is the seventh in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament.  This is the third in the sub-series of historical books, covering the Book of (1 and 2) Samuel.

a   Samuel succeeds elderly Eli and rules over all Israel (1 Sam. 1-7)
          b   Saul's failure (1 Sam. 8-15)
                      c   David's initial rise to popularity in Saul's kingdom (1 Sam. 16-20)
                                d   TURNING POINT: Yahweh reverses fortunes of Saul and David
                                      (1 Sam. 21-31)
                      c'  David's initial rise to power over all Israel (2 Sam. 1-8)
          b'  David's failure (2 Sam. 9-20)
a'  Solomon succeeds elderly David; David's final years (2 Sam. 21-1 Kings 2)

The 'a' pattern shows leadership succession.  The first section includes a song from Hannah, which references her horn, her rock, the grave, death, darkness, being armed with strength, the anointed one, and more.  The later section includes a song from David as Solomon ascends his throne, which also includes all these same themes and more from Hannah's song.  Both sections treat the theme of the fall of Eli's priestly line: in the first section, Eli's line falls.  In the second, Yahweh's word about the house of Eli is finally fulfilled when Zadok replaces Abiathar.  Both sections treat Yahweh's plagues and the human actions that stop them.  These things suggest that the Word of God is going forth with regard to the transition of leadership in Israel.

The 'b' pattern compares Saul and David.  In the first section, Saul fights a war against King Nahash of Ammon.  In the second section, David fights a war against King Nahash of Ammon.  In the first section, Saul's sins are uncovered and condemned by the prophet Samuel.  In the second section, David's sins are uncovered and condemned by the prophet Nathan.  In the first section, Saul responds by making excuses.  In the second section, David responds by repenting.  All this suggests that David succeeds where Saul fails precisely in his repentance.

The 'c' pattern shows a parallel between David's initial rise to popularity and his subsequent ascent to the throne of power.  In the first section, Saul initially accepts David, then turns on him.  In the second section, its the reverse: Saul's kingdom initially turns on David, then accepts him.  In the first section, David is anointed by Samuel and Michal marries David.  In the second section, David is anointed king by the kingdom of Judah and becomes remarried to Michal.  In the first section, members of Saul's family were kind to David.  In the second section, David is kind to members of Saul's family.  All of this shows the hints about David in his rise to popularity being fulfilled and confirmed in his enthronement. 

The 'd' section is the turning point.  Saul has been powerful and has pursued David to kill him.  The result is that Saul himself is killed.  This shows that God's Word brings about a reversal in fortune in the case of Saul and David.