Read : Chapter 12 especially and as much of the book of I Samuel as possible.
Name:________________________________________Date______________________
Vital statistics:
PURPOSES:
To record the life of Samuel, Israel’s last judge; the reign and decline of Saul, the first king; and the choice and preparation of David, Israel’s greatest king.
AUTHOR:
Probably Samuel, but also includes writings from the prophets Nathan and Gad (I Chronicles 29:29)
DATE WRITTEN:
Probably written between 1060 – 900 B.C.
SETTING:
The book begins in the days of the judges and describes Israel’s transition from a theocracy (led by God) to a monarchy (led by a king)
KEY VERSE:
"And the Lord said unto Samuel, ‘Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them . . . Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.’". (8:7,9)
KEY PEOPLE:
Eli, Hannah, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, David
KEY PLACE:
The Land of Israel
DID YOU KNOW?
The book is named after the prophet who anointed David King over Israel, and guided him in living for God.
This book deals with some traumatic as well as interesting relationships:
Hannah & God
Hannah & Samuel
Eli & Samuel
God & Samuel
Samuel & Saul
Samuel & David
David & Saul
David & Jonathan
THE BLUE PRINT:
A.) ELI AND SAMUEL (1:1 – 7:17)
Samuel’s birth and childhood
War with the Philistines
SAMUEL AND SAUL (8:1 - 15:35)
Saul becomes king of Israel
God rejects Saul for disobedience
SAUL AND DAVID (16:1 – 31:13)
Samuel anoints David as king
David and Goliath
David and Jonathan’s friendship
Saul pursues David
Saul’s defeat and death
THEMES:
King – People ask God for a king so they can be like other nations. God responds by choosing a king for them.
God’s Control – Israel prospered as long as the people regarded God as their true king. When the leaders strayed too far God intervened.
Leadership – God guided His people using different forms of leadership: Judges, Priests, Prophets and Kings. The success of each leader depended on their devotion to God, not their position, leadership style, wisdom, age or strength.
Obedience – For God, "to obey is better than sacrifice" (15:22). He desires service with a whole heart rather than a superficial commitment based on tradition or ceremonial systems.
God’s Faithfulness – God faithfully kept His promises to Israel with His tender mercy and swift judgment. In Mercy he faithfully acted in the best interest of His people. In Justice He was faithful to His word and perfect moral nature
Word Definitions:
What is a vow?_______________________________________________
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What is humility?______________________________________________
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What does Theocracy mean?______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
SUMMARY:
The book is simply divided into three sections in relation to the three main characters (Samuel, Saul and David). It is a book of biographies. Samuel is the most important figure in this period of Israel’s history. He is a priest, the last of the Judges, the first of the prophets, and he anoints the first king. Thus Israel’s form of government has moved from theocracy (Exodus to Joshua) into periods of anarchy (Judges), and now in I Samuel moves into monarchy.
(Note:) Samuel is known as the "Prophet of Prayer" (I Samuel 12:23; Jeremiah 15:1)
CHRIST SEEN:
Christ is seen as our Anointed Prophet, Priest, King and Intercessor. He is seen as the only true claimant to the Scepter of Judah, the Throne of David and the Everlasting Kingdom of Israel. (Luke 1: 31-33)
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