1 Samuel: Samuel, Saul, David

1 Samuel: Samuel, Saul, David

Why was Samuel so highly respected Jer 15:1 listed on level of Moses Prophet Priest Judge Oversaw the introduction of the kingship in Israel (2x) theocracy monarchy shift

Did Samuel write it? It’s about Samuel, he is dead by 1 Sam 28

Literary Pattern Demise of old leader God’s selection of new leader Victories of new leader Problems involving new leader

Samuel Cycle Demise of leader: Eli (1 Sam 1-2) Hannah’s problem—rival, dumb husband (1:8)—canonical link Ruth 4:15 – Hannah’s vow 1:11 – Why did Eli jump on her case? (1:13f) Samuel -- God listened (1:20, 28)

Eli’s sons Problems: – Ripping off meat (2:14) – Messing with women (2:22) Samuel contrast (2:25, 26) How was Eli as a father? (2:29, 33f) – weak man -- weak father -- bad sons

Call of Samuel Samuel’s night call (3:4ff) Rejection of Eli 3:13; (2:29, 33f)

Demise of Old leader -- Eli

Ephraim

Demise of Old Leader Capturing the ark: 1 Sam 4-6 Bringing the ark out to do battle (Jos 6:6ff; 1 Sam 14:18) Problem: God in a box mentality – How do we suffer from this also? Philistines freak remember Egypt 4:8 Death: Eli’s sons – Eli 4:18 Birth of Ichabod: 4:21

Philistines and the Ark Five Philistine cities (Ashdod, Askelon, Gath, Gaza, Ekron)—Pentapolis

Philistine Plain

Philistines and the Ark Dagon (grain or fish, fertility god/father El at Ugarit?) 5:5 Plagues and returning ark (6:4ff) Why did the Philistines make 5 gold tumors & rats? –Cows return to Bethshemesh Sympathetic magic –5 Philistine cities

Samuel’s victory Defeats Philistines: Ebenezer (7:12) How can Ebenezer be named in 7:12 yet it was called that in 5:1/4:1? – Error in the Bible What is an anachronism? Samuel’s sons: 8:3

On fathers and sons Eli (godly) -sons (ungodly) Samuel (godly) - sons (ungodly) -Saul (ungodly) son (Jonathan:godly) David (godly) son (Solomon) and son (Absalom) What does it all mean? Each generation’s choice

We want a king Was it wrong for Israel to ask for a king “like the other nations”? (8:4f) No: Deut 17:14f. They had priests, prophets and judges like the other nations Problem: rejection of God as king (8:7) Kingship warning: taxes 10%/ bureaucracy /slavery 8:11-18 Theocracy Monarchy (major shift)

Saul chosen: Private--Ramah Private anointing: chasing donkeys What does 9:9 say about the date of writing of the book of 1 Sam.? Seer/prophet Focus on Saul’s appearance (9:2) Was Saul initially humble? (9:21) anointing (10:1) What’s the difference between humility and insecurity? Spirit on Saul: Did believers have Spirit in OT? (10:10)—special gifts in OT; one body in NT

Saul chosen: 2 Public--Mizpah Hiding in the baggage (10:22f); Samuel writing scroll (10:25) Delivers Jabesh Gilead from Ammonites (first victory) (ch. 11) 3rd time: Covenant renewal at Gilgal (11:14f) Samuel’s defense and prayer (12:3f, 23) – Is it a sin not to pray for someone? – Responsibility of the leader to pray for his people

1 Sam 13:1 what does it say? Read: – – – – KJV: “Saul reigned 1 year. Then he reigned 2 years” Old NASB: “Saul was 40 yrs. old reigned 32 yrs.” NIV: “Saul was 30 yrs. old reigned 42 yrs.” NRSV/ESV “Saul was yrs. old reigned . yrs.” What does that suggest about the inerrancy of Scripture? inspiration / transmission What does that suggest about the transmission of Scripture?

Saul’s Fall Fear of Philistines at Gilgal (13:7f) Pious cover up (13:12) Samuel’s rebuke (13:13) –”if” you had Notion of multiple possible futures; everything fixed [determinism]? Contingency (if) with God

Story of Jonathan The story (1 Sam 14:6f) cliff climbing faith Philistines defeated—Hebrew mercenaries mixed in (14:21) Saul’s vow and severity: 14:24, 44 Irony: – – – – Will kill his own son (ego violated) Will not kill Agag at God’s order (15:8) Violate Saul’s word death; Violate God’s word no big

God and Saul and Amalekites What does God’s grief mean? (15:11, 35) Pious cover up (15:14f) – Right motives wrong actions – Long as your heart is right! Right? Not God’s desire: (15:22-23) God and not changing His mind (15:29) Different uses of language: promise, wish, command, informative, request, imagine, disagreement, irony, dialogue, possibility

David Does God concoct a lie? (16:2) – Whole truth – Evil versus shrewdness God’s focus on the heart: 16:7 Spirit leaves Saul (16:13f) Did he lose his salvation? Does God send evil spirits on people (16:14)—spirit, OT demons? harp?

David’s victory-Goliath

Judah-Heartland

David’s Victory David’s righteous anger (17:26) Sibling jealousy: (17:28) – Attribution of wrong motives On defeating giants (17:42-47) Height: over 9’; LXX 4 cubits 6’9” Forehead or greaves? Ex 28:38, Rev 13 Women’s troublesome song & Saul’s insecurity (18:7)

Demise of Old leader Saul’s attempts to kill David Michal betrothal foreskins (18:20f, 23, 25) description versus prescription again Spearing chucking (19:9, 11); Michal’s idol protection (19:13) Jonathan warns David: that’s what friends are for (ch. 18:3f; 20:9, 17, 33, 41f)

David’s fleeing

Judah-Heartland

David’s fleeing Nob: (ch. 21) -- sword, food, 85 priests slain; Doeg the Edomite (ch. 22) Gath insanity (21:13f)—sympathetic magic Keilah deliverance (ch. 23:9ff;) – Does God know things that never happen? (cf. 13:13 if Saul had.) ephod: Urim/Thummim – Does God know only what is or what is possible? – Does that leave some room for choice, freedom and variation? Isa. 40:28

Nabal and Abigail The story line and description of Abigail (1 Sam 25:3, 10, 22) On role of woman and foolish men (v. 24ff) Lord takes Nabal (25:36ff) David goes to Philistine city of Ziklag (27:6f)—note date of statement

David’s sparing Saul 1 Sam 24:3f dropping pants in cave 1 Sam 26:9 stealing spear while sleeping David’s respect: don’t touch the LORD’s anointed 24:5; 26:9

Galilee-Jezreel Galilee-Jezreel

Witch of Endor & Saul’s demise Story line: Final Battle in Jezreel Valley Lord’s means of communication cut off 28:6 Can witches really bring people back from the dead? Are dead people aware of what is going on in this life? (28:15ff) Implications—multi-generational reflections