The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

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The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

• Lesson 1 - Introduction The Birth of Samuel
• I Sm. 1 - 211
• For whatever things were written before were
  written for our learning, that we through the
  patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
  hope. (Romans 154)
• Now all these things happened to them as
  examples, and they were written for our
  admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
  come. (I Corinthians 1011)

2
Samuel - Background

• Review the timeline, Joshua, and Judges
• Samuel was the 13th and final judge.
• Summary of the Judges - Everyone did what was
  right in their own eyes. (Jud. 176)
• Samuel was born in deplorable times (i.e. corrupt
  priesthood, anarchy, dysfunctional family, etc.).
• Samuel bridged the gap between the judges and the
  monarchy (1100 1050 BC).
• Key characters Eli, Samuel, Saul and David
• Two National Leadership changes Eli-to-Samuel
  and Samuel-to-Saul/David
• By Faith Samuel (Hb. 1133)

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Geography and Timelines
The Land Promise Was Made by God Ge. 121-3
DT. 344
The Land Promise Was Fulfilled by God Jos.
1123 2143-45 231-4.
Remember The Old Testament is not in
chronological order.
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Introduction

• Samuels parents were devout in worshipping God
  as evidenced by attending the annual feasts (Ex.
  2215-17 I Sm. 11-3)
• Hannah
• Greatly distressed by her barrenness and was
  ridiculed by Elkanahs other wife, Peninnah (1
  Sm. 14-11 Nu. 61-21)
• Hannah poured out her heart in prayer and vowed
  to dedicate her child to God (1 Sm. 112-28)
• God answered her prayer and she was thankful (1
  Sm. 21-10)
• Hannah went to God in prayer about the problem,
  and God answered. She made a vow and was thankful.

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Discussion Questions

• What is the historical purpose and key spiritual
  lessons in I Samuel (I Sm. 1522 Hos. 1311 I
  Sm. 167 II Sm. 712)? What is the contribution
  to the messianic theme (I Sm. 210 II Sm. 712
  Mt. 219 2245 Ac. 16 324)?
• Historical Purpose Reveal the divine origin of
  Davids dynasty and the role of prophets in
  transitions.
• Key Spiritual Lessons Obedience is better than
  sacrifice or kingly rule (Saul and David
  comparison), and the Lord gives and can take
  away.
• Messianic Theme The coming of the Messiah, the
  son of David.

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Discussion Questions

• Describe the conditions of Israel at the birth of
  Samuel (Jud. 2125 176 I Sm. 41-28 I Sm.
  41-28 I Sm. 212-17, 22).
• Self-service means everyone did as they saw fit.
• Corrupted priesthood (i.e. Eli was lazy, sons lay
  with women, sacrifices were corrupt)
• Worship was neglected and dishonored
• Servitude to Philistines (4-Rs)
• Glory departed from Israel.
• People abhorred offerings to God
• Shiloh was a place of national worship

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Discussion Questions

• What did Elkanah do to demonstrate devotion to
  God (I Sm. 13-5 Ex. 2315-17)?
• Obeyed the Law regarding annual feasts -
  Unleavened Bread, Harvest, and Ingathering (Dt.
  1217-18 1616)
• Kept the Law each year regarding feasts and
  sacrifices.
• Lesson to Learn 1 Favoritism leads to much harm
  and hatred (Ge. 374 2528 3031 Ac. 1034-35
  Jm. 21-9 Ga. 328).
• God is no respecter of persons in nature, people,
  or family. It is sin! We must be like God.
• Examples/Results Joseph, Jacob, and Rachel

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Discussion Questions

• Why was Hannah so distressed (I Sm. 16-10)?
• She had no children. The Lord closed her womb.
  God controls life in the womb. She didnt blame
  God.
• Other women Sarah, Rebeckah, Leah, Rachel,
  Manoahs wife (Samson), Mary, Elizabeth.
• Silently suffered over bitter treatment by
  Peninnah.
• Lesson to Learn 3 When in distress we need to
  rely on God, not ourselves (Jm. 43 I Pt. 57
  Ph. 46 Mt. 625-34).
• Distress is a part of humanity.
• Dont blame God. Blame Satan.
• We must cast our cares on Jesus because He really
  does care!
• Dont worry, be happy Be anxious in nothing.

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Discussion Questions

• What vow did Hannah make to God (I Sm. 111 Num.
  61-21)?
• Give her child to God
• Elkanah concerns (I Sm. 121)
• Nazarite vow (Nu. 61-21)
• Lesson to Learn 4 A vow or promise made to God
  is serious and must be kept (Hb. 1026-31 Rm.
  617-18 Ps. 651 Pr. 2025 Eccl. 54-5)
• A vow is a promised deed. Samson broke his vow
  and suffered consequences (Jud. 13-15).
• Our commitment to Jesus is a serious vow (Pr.
  2025 Eccl. 54-5)

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Discussion Questions

• How did Eli respond to Hannah's vow (I Sm. 19,
  12-18)?
• Idle and sitting down. He seemed to be fat and
  lazy (I Sm. 418)
• He misjudged her by accusing her of being drunk.
• He realized she was really sincere and He relayed
  Gods answered prayer.
• Lesson to Learn 2 Good people are often times
  misjudged by others, especially when others are
  idle (Mt. 71-6 Jh. 724 II Co. 1012 Mt.
  1119).
• Due to a lack of information/facts we can
  misjudge others. We need to have a fact-finding
  spirit, not a fault-finding spirit.
• Dont judge according to appearance. Jesus was
  misjudged.
• Pharisees judged Samaritans as dogs (think of
  racism today).
• We are not the standard to judge others. Use
  Gods law as the standard.

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Discussion Questions

• How did Hannah keep her vow (I Sm. 119-28)?
• Weaned Samuel for about the first 2 years.
• Followed through and gave up her only son.
• How did Hannah view her vow to God (I Sm. 128)?
• Everything we have is on-loan from God including
  our children.
• She loan him back to God for life.
• Lesson to Learn 5 Everyone raises children for
  the Lord or Satan (Ep. 61-4 I Tm. 34 18-11
  Tit. 16 II Tim. 15 314-15).
• Children are not to be unruly, but in-control.
• Parents are responsible to train, teach and
  discipline their own children.
• Children are responsible for obeying their
  parents.
• Timothy is a good example as a child and adult.
  Elis and his sons are bad examples.

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Discussion Questions

• What are some key lessons to learn from Hannah's
  prayer of thanksgiving (I Sm. 21-10)?
• She went to God in prayer during sad or happy
  times.
• It is an inspirational prayer for our
  consideration.
• Prayer is an outgrowth of our experiences.
• It is an expression of joy.
• Expresses Israels past experience with God.
• Focused on the character of God.
• Looks into the future, not just past and present
  (210)
• What does the name Samuel mean (I Sm. 120)?
• Ask of God, Heard by God
• His lifes work seems to indicate that he was a
  Levite (Nu. 151 1640 I Sm. 31-10)

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Remember
God shows His grace by blessing us in the midst
of sorrow, suffering, and human weakness.