...BAPTISTWAY PRESS® Adult Online Bible Commentary By Dr. Jim Denison, Pastor, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas Studies in 1 and 2 Samuel: Following God in Changing Times Lesson Four God’s Surprising Choice Focal Text 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 15-21; 10:1, 9-24 Background 1 Samuel 8—10 Main Idea God’s choices for people to serve him in specific ways can be surprising when measured by merely human standards. Question to Explore What opportunities are we missing because we are viewing people and situations from our limited human perspective? Quick Read God can use anyone who is yielded to his will. ________________________________________________________________________ Commentary Perhaps you’ve heard about Satan’s garage sale. All his tools were on display, their prices marked. Murder, anger, lust, greed, and others were available. At the end of the table was an isolated tool, more worn than any of the others. It was unnamed, but its price was the highest of anything on display. Someone asked Satan what it was. “Discouragement,” he replied. “Why is it priced so high?” “Because no one knows it’s mine.” If Satan cannot get us to refuse God’s call to service, he’ll seek to discourage us in that work. He’ll cause us to feel inadequate for his purposes, insufficient for his use. He __________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 5 Adult Online Bible Commentary. 1 and 2 Samuel: Following God in Changing Times—Lesson...
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...Saul reigned as king over Israel from about 1050-1011. During this time, the prophet Samuel was Gods mouthpiece. The people of Israel desired a king who could fight their battles against the aggressive tactics of the Philistines. Also, they routinely blamed its shortcomings on the lack of proper leadership; a monarchy comprised of a king (Judges, 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). These passages in the book Judges, reveals that Israel could never fulfill their divinely intended design, as long as it was under the Judges rule. The moral and civil disasters Israel was suffering at this time in history, was due to their spiritual disobedience of the Mosaic covenant. This led to the people of Israel electing Saul as their king. His election was based on his outward appearance, not his heart or regards to the Mosaic covenant. The solidification of Saul’s rule culminated at the victory over Nahash the Amorite. Due to Israel’s failure to honor the Mosaic covenant, Saul’s poor choices caused the nation of Israel to deteriorate rapidly. Even though Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was next in line to the monarchy, it was not to be Gods plan for Israel. The removal of Saul from leadership, culminated from his disobedience to Samuels wish for him to wait on God’s word to attack the Philistines at Gilgal. Saul did not heed to Samuels warning, and attacked solely on his vengeance towards them. The request of a king for Israel was ill motivated, and ill timed. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin...
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...observed in one man that would represent Israel. Samuel tried to warn them of what a King would do to their lives, and told them that God was their King, but it was ignored. Samuel took their request and repeated it to the Lord. God answered, “Listen to them, and give them a king.” (I Samuel 8:22, NIV). Instead of being set apart as a nation for God, they coveted what other nations had. They rejected God. Samuel was now searching for a man that God chose and would send to him. When Samuel caught sight of Saul the Lord said, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people” (I Samuel 9:17, NIV). Unaware that God made the choice, Israel was elated when Samuel presented Saul as their King. They were impressed with him physically, yet knew nothing of his heart. The Bible describes Saul as, “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites – a head taller than any of the others” (I Samuel 9:2, NIV). The events surrounding the selection of Saul for King demonstrate that he was the...
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...Today’s children have too easy! If they get one scratch, they are ready to give up on life, and in turn, they give up on life altogether. Now, instead of monkey bars, jungle gyms, and slides, the kids play on safety first playgrounds with tire shreds and wood chips with smaller outdoor equipment. In John Tierney’s article, “Can a Playground Be Too Safe?” he demonstrates that kids need old-fashioned playgrounds where risks occur. If children are allowed to take risks, they will gain courage, confidence, and character. By allowing kids to not play it too safe on the playground, it teaches them how to be well-rounded people and conquer their fears, anxieties, and panics in life. When I was a child, I was always climbing and swing on things, and I would fall, get scratches, and get back up to do it again. I would sometimes cry, because it would hurt too much; however, I kept climbing and swinging. If I had stop climbing and taking those daredevil risks, I would not conquer my future risks in life. It is like the story of David and Goliath. David was only a child in Saul’s army. He was tired of the giant, Goliath, mocking God and taunting the people of God. He gain courage and remained courageous through his life by standing up to Goliath and defeating him with “a sling shot and five smooth stones in his pocket” (Samuel). Just like David conquered his giant, children who are allowed to be kids and take risks can conquer their giants and become courageous adults. While courage is...
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...the time of Samuel, Saul was initially chosen for king, but David became succeeded him, while Solomon committed a sin that ultimately led to the division of Israel. Israel’s desire for a king Until Samuel got old and did not have a son to lead, Israel operated as a Theocracy, following God and His Law, but Israel desired to be like other nations. In 1 Samuel 8:5, the elders of Israel discussed their displeasure with Samuel, and they not only expressed their distrust in God, but also their desire to be like the adjacent nations. The people of Israel had been continuing to worship foreign gods since they left Egypt, and now they saw an opportunity, which they thought they could justify asking for a king. The Israelites were fallible humans, and they did not put their trust in God. They put their trust in what was tangible and did not require faith, which led to Saul becoming the first king of Israel. The Choosing and Rejection of Saul First Samuel 9 describes Saul as not just a handsome man, but a head taller than all other men: He physically fit the profile of a worldly leader but did not live a life above reproach. In the article Looking Good or Looking Competent? Physical Appearance and Electoral Success in the 2008 Congressional Elections, Rodrigo Praino outlines how physical appearance does make a difference in how humans elect candidates for public office. The people of Israel wanted a king, and God gave them one that met their human profile. Saul had the same problem...
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...Zebulan Dula First Year Book Report 2 11/07/12 Reflections On The Bait of Satan In Luke 17:1, Jesus says, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” The bait of Satan is basically offense. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” This scripture makes it clear that when we bit the bait, there is only one outcome, and that is that we are doing the will of Satan. Offense takes many different forms, so here are some common offense causing situations: Someone says or does something against our sense of justice, then We feel we are owed something as a result. Something good happens to someone else, and we feel the need to justify ourselves, perhaps finding something good that we’ve done or experienced as well, completely missing the opportunity to rejoice with our friend. Someone overlooks something you did, and you feel you deserve recognition. It is important to recognize that offense can be either real or perceived, but either way it is just as powerful in its hold upon our hearts. In The Bait Of Satan John Bevere makes its clear that we must recognize is that offense is always a choice. In the same way that two people can be in the same situation...
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...Bible 105 November 16, 2014 Covenant Obedience The first three kings of Israel were Saul, David, and Solomon and each had their own strengths and weaknesses. Each king obeyed and disobeyed God, receiving blessings and punishments as a result. At the end of Solomon’s reign, due to his disobedience, Israel was a divided nation. The rise and fall of each king depended on their covenant obedience. During the early years of Israel, the nation was looked after by judges. The Israelites were very disobedient and would continually turn their backs on God until they needed him. God used several judges to bring the Israelites from underneath the oppression imposed on them by various groups such as the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Philistines. Each judge had a specific quality that would have made them less than worthy for a great position in the eyes of the people. For instance, Ehud was left-handed, Gideon was a coward, and Samson was an adulterer but God deliberately choose the least likely candidates to prove that anything is possible when you trust in Him. According to Judges 21:25 (HCSB), “in those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted. This cycle of disobedience to God, and God raising up a judge, eventually led the way to kingship. Because a judge could only partially and imperfectly administer Torah (legislative function), executive justice (executive function), and condemn lawbreakers (judicial function), a king was needed who could...
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...Israel and its Kings Introduction Israel demands a king. * An aged leader was one of the reasons for demanding new leadership (1 Samuel 8:1). Samuel had grown old, and apparently his age was beginning to affect his ability to lead the nation. It appeared he would not live much longer and the people feared that the nation might slip back into the lawless days. A corrupt leadership and judicial system was a reason for demanding a new system of government (1 Samuel 8:2-3). Because of his age, Samuel had appointed his two sons to succeed him: Joel, which means "the Lord is God," and Abijah, which means "my father is the Lord." With Samuel as their father, they had received a godly upbringing. But they lived hypocritical lives: they did not follow in the steps of their father. They turned away from God and became greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice. In determining controversial cases, they accepted bribes and ruled in favor of the oppressor or guilty party. This wickedness reminded the people of Eli's two sons, and they feared returning to the lawless, corrupt days of the judges. Thus, a desire arose within the people for new leadership, the leadership of a king. A desire to be like the surrounding nations was another reason the Israelites requested a king (1 Samuel 8:4-5). Note that the tribal leaders of Israel gathered together and traveled to Ramah. In conference with Samuel, they laid out their three reasons for desiring a king: Samuel was old...
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...Character of David in Old Testament Journals 1. David as Reader: David’s Understanding and interpreting 2. David and God: Who is David? Summary of the Journals David is considered as a reader by the author of this journal because the journal evaluates understanding of people in relation to David’s character. The journal also evaluates the importance of David’s character as a reader and how the text is crucial in the investigation of David’s qualities in reading. The author also describes David as an image of a reader because the biblical stories illustrate this aspect in the book of Samuel. The journal describes David characters in the books of Samuel as literary texts because they evaluate their meaning hence raising criticisms. The author argues that David emphasis on the understanding rather than reading hence the reading is vital for people to understand the character of David as a reader. The journal discusses reading process and how people may adapt the character of David as a reader to overcome major biblical interpretation challenges that they encounter (Hugh). The journal identifies interpretation aspects of the character of David as a reader in order to analyze these roles effectively. David reaction involves execution of the Amalekites because he aims at establishing the truth, which is attained through reading. The journal also describes David as a reader because it evaluates interpretation of the text and other interpretations within the...
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...covenant exodus tradition Last four chapters 17-21> in those days there was no king, slowly building the case for a king Two major concerns- first the reolocation of the tribe of dan, the second Is the conflict between tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel Stories include episodes of grisly murder and profanity, to demonstrate without intervention of YHWH, there can only be chaos- the time for the king has come. CH11 First Samuel In Hebrew, the two books of Samuel were grouped together, only in Greek and Latin translations are they separate, the Greek preserves older version of Text, the old version in Hebrew is now lost 1 Samuel covers the transition from Judges to the monarchy, the rise of David after the brief and traffic reign of Saul; the prophet Samuel mediates the story Tension between the desire for God and human kingship Take home-> reconcile faith with god with the desire to have king- how to be a good king, how do you avoid the temptation to say I can do whatever I want 1 Samuel sis the work of multiple hands- its D and J Samuel: mother hann is childless (Husband is Elkanah), she goes to Eli, high priest at Shiloh, asks for blessing, it is given Gives...
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...while they wandered through the desert. Time and time again the Israelites had chosen to go their own way instead of following the orders God gave. This cycle occurred again during the time of Samuel. During this time the people said, “Give us a king to judge us.” (Samuel 8:6) Even after Samuel had advised the people against having a king appointed, they decided that their way ultimately better than God’s way. God did not fight them, even though He knew the destruction that it would bring, instead He did what they asked. God had a plan for Israel, but the people had decided that God’s way was not efficient enough and that they knew how to govern themselves more efficiently. Saul was everything the Israelites could have wanted in a king; he was tall, good looking, and would triumph in many battles. When Saul first became king he followed God’s...
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...Samuel Anoints David as King 1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 1. Why was he morning? 2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” 1. God gives Samuel a plan a. Samuel was a afraid, (If Saul hears about it, he will kill me. b. God Lays out 4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” 1. 5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. TheLord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to...
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...In the article "How David Beats Goliath” uncovers the secret to victory as an underdog. An underdog is someone who is seen to be less than or having an disadvantage. The secrete to overcoming a strong opponent is to combat the opponent with a non-traditional approach. If ones opponent is strong in a specific skill set, it is wise to craft at strategy the works against their weakness. In the article Vivek Ranadive coached a basketball team of average 12 year old girls who were not passionate about basketball. Through observation he noticed that a lot of their opponents were passionate basketball players who frequently played as pastime. He also noticed that most teams did not “full court press” for the majority of the game. He therefore coached his team to full court press in each game since they were not as skilled in other things like dripping, shooting etc. Consequently this team went all the way to the national championship. They became strong where the “better” teams were weak and rendered victory. This same principle can be used in everyday life as well as business. For example is Greg had a desire to be a music artist or rapper. He can assess the strengths of the best-selling artist and then fill in a gap their they are lacking. If someone else has the territory covered Greg can simply find his territory and this is what will make him thrive. I plan to apply this David defeats Goliath principle in my fashion company. Instead of following the trends of the already...
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...lack of a strong human leader as the cause and did not realize that the reason for the oppression was a spiritual on-their failure to serve God” (Harbin, 2005, p.219). Saul was not God’s choice for the throne but “he was the people’s choice” (Hindson and Yates, 2012. P.164). Saul’s appointment as king was against the “old theocratic ideal that God alone was King of Israel (I Samuel 8:5). Saul’s reign lasted from 1029-1005BC (Roux and Williams, 2012). Saul had great military talent and garnered God’s support by reuniting the Israelites and crushing the Ammonites. Nearing the final years of Saul’s reign “he was very pre-occupied with David’s increasing fame which severely depressed him” (Roux and Williams, 2012). Saul had even gone so far as to hunt David down in order to kill him. In 1 Samuel 16:14 we see were Saul had lost God’s spirit and He had replaced it with and evil spirit. Saul had begun to suspect everyone around him of plotting against him. After God refused to bless Saul in a battle he did the unthinkable. Saul “consulted a medium at Endor” (Roux and Williams, 2012). This consultation was against the law of the land and against the laws of God. During the final battle against the Philistines Saul was so fearful of capture that he committed suicide by falling on his own sword. Unlike Saul, David was God’s choice as king for the people. Being that he was from the tribe of Judah it meant “that he was God’s choice to become the next...
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...thought of Monarchy, in the United States of America, would not be such a bad idea. We would be contradicting the same reason our fore fathers before us came and settled on this land, but it seems much better in the sense of a political stand point compared to what many people are going through with the government today in the United States. In the time when the Old Testament was written, almost, if not, every nation or people group was led by some sort of Monarchy. There were many well-known kings that the authors of the Bible wrote about such as King Saul, King David, and King Solomon. But there are many questions we have to ask ourselves before we can truly understand these kings. Some of the questions we should ask ourselves are “During the time of Samuel, why did the people of Israel desire a king?”, “Why was Saul chosen, and ultimately, why was he rejected?”, “What attribute did David display that made him a better king than Saul?” and “What sin did Solomon commit that ultimately led to the division of Israel after his death?” These questions can help us understand the positives and negatives of these kings. When someone desires an object or a person they have a deep want or need for that person or thing. In the time of Samuel, Israel as a nation desired for a king, but why? Why did they want someone who told them how to live and what to do? They already had Samuel as a ruler, but they wanted more. According to Ed Hindson and Gary Yates, the authors of The Essences of the...
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