Portrait of a Disgruntled Prophet: Power & Leadership in 1 Samuel

The first fifteen chapters of 1 Samuel present an important account of Israel’s transition from tribal league to monarchy. Beginning with the story of Hannah and her newborn son, Samuel, the narrative takes us through Samuel’s reception of his prophetic call and his tension-filled relationship with Saul, Israel’s first human king. This material is not only some of the most nuanced narrative in the Hebrew Bible but also a rich resource for reflection on the theology and ethics of human freedom and power in light of the freedom and power of God, Israel’s original and true king.

With a focus on immersion in the biblical text, this course will help students attend to a significant unit of biblical narrative within its literary and historical/cultural context and, in the process, gain insight into the challenging message of 1 Samuel for today. As we study the conflictual relationship between God, the powerful prophet Samuel, and the newly minted king Saul, we will reflect on key lessons concerning leadership, mentoring, and the use (and abuse) of power in the church today.