Old Testament Survey

Lesson 9 w/answersI Samuel Chapters 8-16

We continue our look at the book of I Samuel, beginning with the people of Israel asking—actually demanding—that God provide a King for them. Though broken-hearted, Samuel is faithful and takes the matter to God, who instructs him to anoint a king to serve over them. In Samuel’s lifetime, he will actually anoint two of the three kings of the united nation of Israel: Saul and David.

Bible

As you will recall from previous lesson, up this point in time, for 360 years the twelve tribes of Israel have been worshipping one God; but otherwise operating under self-rule with overall leadership provided by the Judges, Samuel being the last. After the deaths of Eli and his two sons and the victory at Mizpah accompanied by the return of the Ark, Samuel was stunned and saddened by the tribes’ request that God provide them a king, and this lesson picks up at this point.

Read I Samuel Chapters 8 through Chapter 16; then answer the following:

  1. What happened to Samuel and his sons following the victory at Mizpah? How is this similar to Eli the High Priest and his two sons?
    1. ANSWER: Upon Samuel’s retirement from serving as Judge, his two sons, just like Eli’s, did not follow God and serve Him in righteousness. Instead they followed after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.
  2. Following the dishonesty of Samuel’s two sons and the perverted justice they caused, what did the Elders of Israel ask of Samuel?
    1. ANSWER: They asked that he appoint king over them.
  3. Samuel interpreted the tribes’ request for a king as a rejection of him, but who did God tell him that they were actually rejecting?
    1. ANSWER: They were actually rejecting God himself.
  4. Read the events surrounding the anointing of Saul (1 Samuel chapters 9 and 10). What was remarkable about Saul, and how did he react to being chosen as the king?
    1. ANSWER: He was taller than anyone else in Israel, yet he came from the smallest tribe, Benjamin. Samuel proclaimed there was no one like him in all of Israel. But Saul himself wasn’t exactly up to the task; and upon being announced as king, this man, taller than anyone in the nation, hid ":in the baggage."
  5. Read Chapter 15. What happened that caused God to reject Saul and tear the kingdom from him?
    1. ANSWER: Saul was told by God to totally destroy the Amalekites and all that they possessed. Instead, Saul and his army kept alive anything that they saw as "good," including the king of the Amalekites; they also kept plunder from the battle.
  6. What happened in i Samuel Chapter 28:16-19?
    1. ANSWER: Saul, after calling up the spirit of Samuel who had died, learns that on the next day, he and his sons will die in battle as God had prophesied. Saul’s reign ends the following day, and David will become king.
  7. Discuss the selection of David by Samuel. (Read Chapter 16.) Who did Samuel believe looked like a king ("the Lord’s anointed") when he first met him, compared to the person that God had Samuel anoint?
    1. ANSWER: Samuel believed that Eliab looked like the Lord’s anointed. He was tall and good looking, i.e., he "looked" like a king; but God told Samuel that God looked on the inside, and not at the outside. He chose a small, young, boy who was herding sheep, David.
  8. When God selected David, what did he tell Samuel was the difference between how man chooses someone and how God chooses someone?
    1. ANSWER: Man looks at appearance, God looks at the heart.

So as we continue our study in 1 Samuel, we see how man’s heart seems continually inclined toward evil; yet God continues to love his creation and continually wants to restore the broken relationship. He uses Samuel, Saul, and then David to unite the nation and to bring them to the realization that only through following God will they prosper. We also see that even the children of a righteous family like Samuel’s will rebel and follow after evil schemes. Finally, God shows us that He judges us based on our heart, our motives, and our actions and not our appearances, our connections, our friends, or our place of power. How easily we can be fooled by appearances when we judge for ourselves, but through the Holy Spirit God will give us wisdom to discern correctly in any situation.

In the next lesson, we will look more closely at David, a man after God’s own heart, and learn from him and his relationship things that will help us grow closer to God. I pray that all of you who study with us are continuing to grow in your walk with God, no matter your circumstances, and no matter your trials. God is constantly with us, beside us, and in us. He is, as the Psalmist declares, our rock and our fortress.

Have a great week everyone.

In Christ,

Wes

[2020]

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