Structure of Samuel and Kings

Peter J. Leithart, May 20, 2004

Here's a proposal for an outline of Samuel and Kings, considered as a single book. Some of these parallels are more obvious than others, obviously, but there is a sufficient number of links to make the outline plausible. It might also be possible to discern some hints of the creation week in the structure (David anointed as king in the fourth slot; Absalom's and Adonijah's rebellions in the seventh slot; the temple in the center on the "eighth" day).

1. Capture of the ark, destruction of Shiloh, 1 Sam 1-6
2. Samuel restores Israel, 1 Sam 7
3. Saul�s reign and failure, 1 Sam 8-15
4. Saul v. David, 1 Sam 16-31
5. Saul�s house v. David�s house, 2 Sam 1-4
6. David�s reign and sin, 2 Sam 5-12
7. Absalom�s rebellion, 2 Sam 13-20
8. Purchase, temple site, 2 Sam 21-24
7�E Adonijah�s attempted coup, 1 Ki 1-2
6�E Solomon�s reign and sins, 1 Ki 3-11
5�E Division of the kingdom, 1 Ki 12
4�E History of the divided kingdom, 1 Ki 13-2 Ki 16
3�E Fall of Northern Kingdom, 2 Ki 17
2�E Hezekiah and Josiah restore Israel, 2 Ki 18-23
1�E Capture of temple vessels, destruction of temple, 2 Ki 24-25