I SAMUEL 9-10 | Lesson # 10 | BEING FOUND, THE CALL: PRIVATE CONFIRMATION

                                                            I SAMUEL 9-10                                                Lesson # 10

                                                BEING FOUND, THE CALL:  PRIVATE CONFIRMATION

 

I.  Greetings.

 

II. Introduction:  The selection and ratification of leadership.

            Q How does one know they are selected for ministry or leadership in the church?

            Q How does one know they are called?

               An = Let your group give their points of view but do not answer yourself.  Point out that maybe there are more than one way to look at this:   How do I the person called know it is a call from God and how does the group I lead know that I am called from God.  What we are going to read in the next few chapters is an extensive example of the answer to that question.  According to I Samuel 9-11 it is a three step process.  We will look at the first step in this study.

 

III.  Saul's Personal Call and Its Ratification:  I Samuel 9:-10:16

   A.  Innocuous beginnings:  Searching for Lost Items.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 9:1-5.

            Q What does Saul look like?

               An = He is a good looking and tall man.  He also comes from a good family.           

            Q What is Saul looking for?  Was he looking for advancement or the kingship?

               An = No, he was merely doing his duty and looking for some of his father's property.  The best way to hear the call of God is to be about our duty.

            Q Why does the narrator spend talk about lost property?  What importance does that have for the selection of kings?

               An = The story is an idyllic one, full of old world color and stresses trying to "find" something, when it might be leading to being "found".

   B.  Finding the Prophet

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 9:6-14.

            Q Why did they seek out the prophet?

               An = They were looking for their property:  their donkeys.

            Note:  Notice how well regarded the prophet is.  They will not eat until he has arrived.

   C.  The Providence of God.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 9:15-17.

            Q Samuel is to anoint Saul for what purpose according to 9:16?

               An = "He shall deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines."  Leaders are not given their positions so they can be special but so they can specially "help" others.  We are to lead for the "sake of others" needs.  Leadership has no validation except in "serving".

            Note:  Even though Israel has rejected God's better of way of providing leadership He still loves His people.  Look at the end of 9:16.  He has heard their cries.  He is modeling for us real leadership qualities.  God knows they are worried about the Philistine threat, and though they have not shown Him the trust that they should have He is still worried about their needs.

            Q How did Samuel know Saul was the man?

               An = God told the day before Saul arrived and from what tribe he would be from (9:16).  Also, God reaffirmed the selection when Samuel saw Saul (9:17).

            Q How did Saul happen to be where the prophet was?  What occasioned the fateful meeting of Samuel and Saul?

               An = From one point of view it was the search for donkeys!  There is another point of view.  Theologians have another word for this:  "providence".  God especially provides for us with His sovereign will through the minutest details.  What seemed like a chance meeting between Samuel and Saul due to Saul's search for donkeys was actually the hand of God.   

            EX  Give an example of God's providence from your own life and see if someone else would like to share one as well.  >>If time allows have them look at Proverbs 16:9 and 20:24<<.

            Note:  If you look at 9:16 and 9:17 the author is clearly telling us that it is God's initiative that is behind all of this.  What Saul thought was a donkey hunt became the beginning of his anointing as king over all Israel (Brueggemann, p. 76.)

   D.  Preferential Treatment by Samuel:  I Samuel 9:18-27.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 9:17-21.

            Q How did Samuel know about the donkeys?

            Q What did that prove to Saul about Samuel?

            Q According to 9:21 is Saul aggressively seeking position or honor?

               An = He certainly is caught off guard.  His modest response could be interpreted as appropriate politeness or that Saul is really a bit shy and not a very aggressive or self-confident man.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 9:22-27.

            Note:  Samuel gives Saul great courtesy:  he sees that he gets special food and show concern over his lodging, etc.  Samuel knows what Saul does not:  namely that Saul will be a king and so Samuel treats him well.

   E.  Anointing and Proof of Anointing:  the Giving of the Three Signs: 

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 10:1-8.

            Q What are the three signs that are given to Saul?

               An = 1) The meeting of the two men at Rachel's tomb who will speak about the found donkey (10:2). 2) The meeting of the three men going to Bethel who will give him two loaves (10:3,4).  3) The meeting of the group of men who are prophesying and that Saul will join them (10:5-6).

            Q Why did Samuel give these signs to Saul?  What did they do for him?

               An = They seem to be for the confirming in Saul's mind that what is said in 10:1 by Samuel is true.  It was such a far-fetched thing from being a country kid to a king that Saul needed the confirmation.

            Q What are the place of signs in our lives today? 

            Q Do people still have them?  Have you ever heard of someone being given a sign as a confirmation to do a particular task?

               An = If you wish you could share a sign if one has happened in your own life.  Try and keep the discussion on track.  The issue is about a sign for a task for delivering others, not a chance to share every para-psychological experience that everyone has had.

   F.              A Changed Man:  A Spiritual Anointing.  I Samuel 10:9-13.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 10:9-13.

            Note:  It is the third sign that draws the attention of our author.  He elaborates on this one only, c.f. 9:9.  Let us see what is so important about this particular experience.

            Q Why is it important that Saul has a changed heart?

            Q Who changed his heart?  Can we earn such a change?

               An = God changed Saul's heart and he did not earn it.  It is grace that calls.  We know of nothing that Saul did to deserve the "call".

            Note:  It ancient Hebrew the word "prophesying" refers to ecstatic behavior or charismatic behavior.  What form it took in those days is not fully clear but Saul' joining them caused quite a surprise to his community.  What is clear is that Saul has been truly spiritually anointed as well as personally anointed by the prophet Samuel (10:1).  In between the two anointings has come the confirming signs that let Saul know he is to be king. 

            Q Does such "charismatic behavior" cause you alarm?  Would it scare you to do what some believers seem so free in doing?  (Speaking in tongues, etc.)

               An = The Bible does not condemn such behavior, that is clear from this text, but notice it is sympathetic to those who are a bit surprised by it as well.

            Note:  So far our text has told us that Samuel knows with double confirmation (9:16,17) that Saul is the man for the job of kingship and Saul knows he is the man with the confirmation of the three signs and the experience of prophesying with the prophets. 

            Q Do you think this would convince you to take on such a monumental task if you were in Saul's situation?

               An = Let's see.

   G.  A Quiet Man Stays Quiet.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 10:14-16.

            Q Does Saul tell all of the truth?  Why not?

               An = After their answers have been given then if they haven't come up with the idea that some people are by nature shy, share this.  Saul was a quiet man (see 10:22) it seems naturally and he was not willing to share with his uncle these strange happenings about kingship.  This might seem odd, but when you think about it, this is quite in keeping with how things really happen.

            Note:  God has called a man.  Someone of authority in the things of God (Samuel) has chosen him (Saul) and this has been confirmed privately to that man of God twice (Samuel) and three times in highly personal ways to the man called of God (Saul).

            This is private confirmation.  This is step one.

            Note:  Next week we will look at step two and step three.

 

 

I Samuel 8 | Lesson # 9 | SEEKING FALSE SECURITY

                                                            I Samuel 8                                                            lesson # 9

                                                SEEKING FALSE SECURITY                                               

I.  Greetings:  We are going to study chapter 8 and it must be born in mind as Brueggemann p. 61 mentions that there "is a long time between chapters 7 and 8."  Much time has passed and we are approaching the end of Samuel's leadership.  We are approaching a time of transition of power, a time that naturally causes anxiety.

 

II. Introduction:  Setting the Scene:  Worry about the Future/Amateur Providence

            RQ Have you worried about the future lately?

            Q What are some of the big-things you worry about?

               An  See if they will share.  You might need to share one or two things from your life if necessary, then ask them if similar things worry them.  (Share briefly, your real concern is to get them thinking and sharing along these lines, not give them extensive biography about yourself.

            Q Does worry help?

            Note:  Israel, had enjoyed great success under Samuel's leadership but they began to worry about the future and were tempted to become an Amateur Providence.  (An Amateur Providence is when we as humans, who certainly amateurs decide to tell God that we can plan our lives a bit better than He can.  After all what does He know?  Lets see what caused their anxiety, and tempted them to want to control their own destiny.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 8:1-3.

            Q What was the worry Israel could be tempted to have?

               An = They saw bad times coming in the prospect of Samuel's sons being the new leaders.              >>> Have someone read Deuteronomy 16:18-20.  The question of corrupt leadership always hurts and sets back the believing community.  However, for Israel, the foundation of their society was founded on the concepts of God's will and He is "Just".  They were saved by Yahweh and founded on Yahweh's character and action.  He is a God that models servant-leadership.  The purpose of leadership is to serve not to be served.  Samuel's sons have betrayed the purpose of leadership but their injustice.  Their actions have caused distrust of the old ways:  they remember the disaster of the leadership of Eli's corrupt sons.  They do not want a repeat of failure.

 

III.  The Request for a King:  I Samuel 8:4-18.

   A.  The Request Proper:  I Samuel 8:4-6.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 4:4-6.

            Q Why did the elders want a king?

               An = See I Samuel 8:5:  you are old and your sons are not like you.

            Q Did they have a right to be concerned?

               An = Yes!

            Q Was Samuel upset over the critique of his sons or because of their request?

               An = According to I Samuel 8:6 only with their request.  Samuel did not contest the critique of his sons.

            Q Is it important in a leadership position to separate our ego (critique of his sons) and the real issue at hand (wanting a king)?

            Note:  There was a long history of Israel not having kings.  The judge Gideon refused kingship because of specific reasons.  >>> Have someone read Judges 8:23.<<<  God was to be their King!  Also, the destructive disaster of Abimelech's short-lived and brutal kingship is condemned (Judges 9).  It is also interesting to note that Abimelech was the son of a Canaanite concubine (Judges 8:31).  So it was not native to Israel to want a king.  The pagan nations around them did practice this type of government (Gordon p. 109).

   B.  God's Response to the Request:  I Samuel 8:7-9.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 8:7-9.

            Q What is God's basic response?

               An = Let as many answers be given without comment.  Then point out that in 8:7 and 8:9 is the word:  "listen".  God's basic answer is that Samuel is to let them have their way:  Samuel is to listen to the voice of the people.  Verses 8:7 and 8:8 are given to Samuel.

            Q What two reservations/observations about Israel's request does God have in 8:7,8?

               An = 1) The problem with the monarchy is not political but theological.  Israel was rejecting God from being King over them.  God does not want Samuel to take it personally, but to see that the rejection is aimed at God and not Samuel. 2)  This new rejection was not new or foreign to the character of Israel.  Just a quick reading of Judges or Israel's attitude during the book of Exodus is indication that this type of behavior is typical of Israel (Brueggemann p. 62).  It is not the having of a "king" per-se, but that the "king" is a new substitute for the Lord, a new twist in idolatry (Davis, p. 82).  The Israelites had experienced failure of other types of leadership:  priesthood (Eli's sons), judges (Samuel son's), kings (Abimelech).  The real issue is the king being a substitute for trusting in Yahweh (Davis, p. 83).  This behavior God says is typical and not aimed specifically at Samuel.  God wants Samuel not to go into depression, but to understand that he is experiencing rejection because he is in charge now and not because he is incompetent.  God does not want Samuel emotionally destroyed.

            Q What is Samuel commanded to tell Israel in 8:9?

               An = He is to warn them and let them know the ways (customs) of what will happen to them if they pursue a king.  God wants them to know what they are getting into.  This is not sour grapes on God's part but typical of His ways of doing things (Brueggemann p. 63).

            Q Does it surprise you that God gave into their request?

               An = God demands from us the our best.  He calls us to have faith even when the future is not something we can see will be good, but He calls to trust Him and His ways of doing things.  God does demand but He does not usually compel.  This is true both of an individual or of a church.  He will warn but not coerce.

            Note:  In chapter four the substitute for trusting in God was the ark and now in chapter eight the substitute is a king (Davis, p. 84).

            Q Why is it so hard for people to put their trust in God?

               An = Perhaps, it was never intended to be easy.  Also, it is so natural for us to trust anything that "we control" and we cannot control God.

   C. The Customs of a King:  The Warning.  I Samuel 8:10-18.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 8:10-18.

            Q What will the king take from the people in 8:11-13?

               An = He will take their sons and daughters and use them for his own needs.

            Q What will the king take from the people in 8:14-15?

               An = He will amass wealth by taking their land and impose takes on what land they still control.  He will use their wealth to give gifts to those who are his bidders.  Poor leadership always gives away what is not theirs. 

            Q Is this done today?  Does it happen to today that resources given by leaders to their friends to shore up their political position, etc. but they give what belongs to others?

               An =  It does not take too much time to find examples of that today in congress.

            Q What is taken from the people in I Samuel 8:16-17?

               An = Their servants and their herds.  Notice that in 8:11,13,14,15,16,17 there is the verb to "take".  Such centralized government is characterized by such "taking".

            Note:  The book of Samuel is about leadership and we have seen examples of leadership in Eli (chapter 2) and Samuel (chapter 7) and now we are seeing a whole type of leadership (kingship) defined and condemned.  I Samuel 8 is clearly saying leadership that seeks to serve itself instead of serving is wrong (Brueggemann p. 64).  Those leaders that demand "perks" and think it "natural" are wrong.  Think of the CEO's in America that are encouraging "take-overs" in the name of "being competitive" and yet acquire enormous salaries while countless people lose their jobs.

>>>> Have someone re-read I Samuel 8:18.

            Q What is scary about this verse?

               An = For one, it came true.  Notice when Israel served the Lord and was attacked in chapter 7 they did quite well militarily.  Their real security lay in their vulnerability:  in their vulnerability of trust in God.  Now they seek control over their destiny.  They want a process like others have and thus forfeit their special ability to call upon the Lord.

            Q Can this happen in our personal lives?  How?

               An = I have heard people tell me when crisis hits their lives that they know that they have little ability to pray.  They sense that others have such an ability and they are certain that they do not.  They are sadly correct.  They are the folks who trusted in the things and thinking of men. 

            Q What can be done for people like this?  What would you tell them?

               An = Perhaps, tell them, if they are open, that they need to start some where and so should start now. 

            Q Can this in ability to get God to answer happen in a church?  How?

               An = Is the seeking of security wise?  How has our church been tempted to do this?

            Note: Have you ever noticed how even evangelical churches will do this by looking for a new gimmick rather than looking for a new heart in repentance.  We are willing to change methods than just seeking God (Davis, p. 84).

            Q As an individual seeks security in the ways of the world what do they forfeit?

               An = The ability to pray to God and be heard.  Listen to what God said to the believers in Jeremiah's day:  >>> Have someone read Jeremiah 7:12-15.  Then have someone read Jeremiah 15:1.<<

 

III.  The Response of the People:  I Samuel 8:19-22.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 8:19-22.

            Q According to I Samuel 8:20 what is the reason for the people seeking a king?

               An = 1)  Military security.  The last battle they had won was with a godly leader who prayed and God heard.  Now they are warned that God will not hear if they chose a king.  It is interesting that they think that some how by proper organization, like that of other nations, they can do without the "answering of God".  In their view, proper organization preempts the need for God's help".  2)  They wanted to be like other nations, after all one must keep up with the "Iron Age" and they have kings so we should have them too (Davis, p. 85).

            Note:  So many people today that education will solve everything, but notice that God did tell Samuel to "educate" them but it did stop them.  "Education can clarify but education cannot transform" (II Thessalonians 2:10) (Davis, p. 88).  Davis calls it the "education fallacy".

            Q What did Samuel do in such a distressing and disappointing situation?

               An = He took his pain to the Lord.  This is what we always need to do instead of getting mad, or doing something rash, or even worse:  quitting.  The Lord was going to use Samuel in the future and Israel needed him and it would have been disastrous for Israel and would be abandoning his role to serve his Lord if he had not been present.  Remember, he is the one who will anoint David.  Don't quit, pray!

            Note:  The Lord's response is to "listen to the voice of the people and do what they want".  It is hard to do this but such is the "ego-death" that our job as ministers or leaders in the church, or leaders in our families demand.  It is the Lord's will to listen to the people some times.

            Note:  The chapter ends oddly.  Samuel tells them to go home.  We will learn in the future that Samuel will indeed obey His Lord.  However, Samuel is certainly not the people's puppet.  He has boldly confronted them with the danger of their choice, and he does not immediately jump to find them a king.  He does not make all of his decisions based on good theology, or logical deductions from his own views (as good as they are), but he too, listens to the dynamic voice of God.  As disastrous as their choice is going to be, it will still produce David.              

I SAMUEL 7 | Lesson # 8 | The True Path To Victory: Prayer

                                                            I SAMUEL 7                lesson # 8

                                                The True Path To Victory:  Prayer

 

I.  Greetings:

 

II.  Introduction:

            Note:  Israel had suffered great defeat at the beginning of chapter 4 and then the Philistines found out that their understanding of the ark was incorrect.  They may have won the battle, but were devastated by the ark when they thought they had captured it.

            Q What had the Philistines misunderstood about the ark?

               An = It had a mind of Its own.  It was extremely powerful and was attended by great miraculous powers.  Why it had allowed itself to be captured they did not understand, but it certainly was not weak.

            Q What had the Israelites misunderstood about the ark?

               An = You cannot "twist God's arm, even if you have His furniture" (D.R. Davis, pp. 52-53).  Davis speaks of people having "Rabbit-foot" theology.  The ark is not a good-luck charm, and God is not someone you can manipulate.  It allowed Israel to be defeated when they tried to "use" it, it ravaged Philistia when they were arrogant, and it struck down and killed many Israelites when they tried to show contempt for it with their curiosity.  God is dangerous to try and manipulate like a science-experiment or a rabbit's foot.

>>>> Lets read I Samuel 7:2.

            Q What does this mean?

               An = Israel felt estranged from the Lord.  The ark was not moved back to Shiloh, it was destroyed, but it stayed at Kiriath Jearim.  We cannot draw near to God with such attitudes, and so the people finally experienced what was already the case.  The crisis of the Philistine war revealed what the true spiritual condition of the people was.  Notice they sought but did not find any way to approach the Lord successfully.

 

III. Getting Back to God, Following His Word:  I Samuel 7:3-4.

            Note:  When we are away from God, it is amazing how clearly God has communicated His truth, but how little we take Him seriously.

            Q What are the first two of the Ten Commandments?

               An = >>> Turn to Exodus 20:2-4 and read together.  The first two commandments are:  "No other gods before me", and "make no images".  Now lets read what Samuel did.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:3-4.

            Q What had the Israelites been doing?

               An = They had been living a corrupt religious experience and were seeking the Lord while they were doing idolatry.  It is like a young man being upset that his girl friend will not talk to him, and the whole time he is with other women.  God deeply loves His people and He brooks not rivals.  He will not share our loyalty with other things.  >>> Read Psalms 16:2,4.

            Note:  The blessing of good leadership is that is firmly brings things back into focus so that the people could be blessed.  Notice, Samuel shows them the cost of following God and lets them make the decision.  "If you are returning to the Lord will all your hearts, then...."  God leadership has to give decisive direction on the essential issues.  This issue is not one of minor opinion, but the opening key elements in the Ten Commandments and in dealing with and pleasing Almighty God.

            Note:  When we long after God, truly long after Him, He will respond with a call to loyalty.  He does wish to be involved with us, but it must be on His terms.  He cannot be God if we are telling Him the terms.

>>>> Turn to Matthew 10:37-38 and have someone read these two verses.

            Q Is Jesus any different than His Father?

            Q What are the key issues Jesus says can be rivals to Him?

               An = Family.

            Note:  The scholars are not sure how much time elapses between what is taking place in 7:3-4 and the coming event in 7:5 and following.  I Samuel 7:3-4 may be a summary of Samuel's ministry over a long period of time.  It could be a condensation of Samuel's preaching (Davis, p. 70).

            Note:  There are three main reasons that are possibly responsible for Israel being involved with the idols of those around them.  1)  Peer pressure, everyone else (these older cultures) is doing it and we as humans are naturally religious and superstitious,  2) the Canaanite fertility cults had sexual practices with temple prostitutes built into the worship itself.  3) They were contacting some type of "power" and perhaps there seemed to be an advantage economically to appeasing the gods who gave increase to their crops and herds.  It was to their advantage, or so they were tempted to believe, to placate these gods.  To stand firm with God often seems very costly.

 

IV. Coming Together for Worship at Mizpah:  7:5-13

   A. Ceremony of Repentance:  I Samuel 7:5-6.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:5-6.

            Note:  Most every scholar admits that they do not know what "pouring out water" ceremony before the Lord means.  There are three major proposals:  1)  water = tears of repentance, 2) it speaks of abstinence, they were willing to go with out one of the necessities of life to show their seriousness in prayer, or 3) it was ritual saying they believed Yahweh was the true fertility God.

            Note:  Of more importance is the clear pattern in Scripture:  Repentance can begin with sorrow and grief (7:2), followed by ceremony, but it must entail action.  There is call to action here.  Davis reminds us that genuine repentance must have a tangible aspect to it (Davis, p. 70).              Note:  It was after they had got rid of their idols that they could assemble at Mizpah and make confession (7:6).  Confession without action would be meaningless.

>>>> Turn to Luke 19:5-10 and have someone read these six verses. 

            Note:  Notice this man had a tangible means of expressing his repentance.  It was action and confession combined that prompts Jesus to pronounce the arrival of salvation.

   B. Crisis Caused by Corporate Worship:  I Samuel 7:7-9.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:7-9.

            Q What caused the Philistines to attack?

               An = The Israelite gathering for worship.  You can count on opposition from Evil when we gather to worship and especially when we gather to confess.

            Q What does Israel do this time when they are facing defeat from the Philistines?

               An = They pray.  Before they tried to "use" God and now they "talk" to Him.

            Q When we face crisis why do we often try to manipulate God (chapter 4) instead of just praying (chapter 7)?

               An = It seems so simple but there is a huge difference in "planning evangelism" or doing the right "approaches", using just the right "music", etc. instead of just going directly to God and saying:  please help me.

            Note:  They understand that Samuel will have more power in prayer than themselves and so Samuel intercedes for them.  Good leadership give biblical direction to the people and effectively prays for them.  You would be amazed how little leadership truly "cries out" to the Lord in behalf of the people.  They, of course, pray, but to truly intercede for the people is another thing.  Notice, the end of 7:9:  "and the Lord answered him".  We deeply need such leaders.

   C. God Involved with the Crisis:  I Samuel 7:10-13.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:10-13.

            Q What happened?  Who brought the victory?

               An = It was all God.  There act was to repent in emotion and in deed and then to ask.

            Note:  As we have said many times before, the book of Samuel is carefully written, let us note a careful (but subtle) pattern between chapters 4 and 7.

 

                        Chapter 4                                                                        Chapter 7

A.             Israel "struck down"                                                Philistines "struck down"

              (Hebrew: nagap) 4:2,3,10                                                  (Hebrew: nagap) 7:10

 

B.             Manipulation                                                            Repentance

              "Let it save" 4:3                                                              "Let Him deliver/save" 7:3,8

 

C.             Philistines hear                                                             Philistines hear

                        4:6                                                                                    7:7

 

D.             Result:                                                                        Result:

              "Ichabod" 4:21                                                              "Ebenezer"  7:12

 

            Note:  This is Davis' chart (p. 73) and he says the author of Samuel wants us to see the clear difference between "dabbling in religious magic (chap 4)" and "walking by sheer faith".  "Their only weapon is prayer...."

            Q What does this mean for our group, for our church, or for our family?

            Q What do specifically need to pray for in our church or community?

            Q Is God the same as He was in the days of Samuel?

               An = I believe God is the same and Davis gives another good bit of advice:  "More and more God's people must walk the way of desperation-prayer.  Once we see this, we will no longer regard prayer as a pious cop-out but as our only rational activity" (Davis, p. 74).

            Note:  Samuel is the subject of all the main action in this chapter.  Note 7:3, 5, 6b, 9, 10, 12, 15.  Good leadership is important according to our text.

            Note:  Samuel directed the people to erect a stone and call it Ebenezer, meaning thus far it has been God who has helped us.

            Q Why set up such stones what do they do that is positive?

               An = It helps us focus on who really brought us victory.  It helps us focus on gratitude for His grace.  An old saint once told me mother:  "We will need 10,000 years in heaven just to catch up in praise and thanksgiving."  It has been a blessing to just say thank you.

  

V.  After the Crisis:  I Samuel 7:14-17.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:14-17.

            Q Why does the author tell us about Samuel's activity after the great victory?

               An = Samuel was a "shield to Israel" (Davis p.77).  Also, good leadership needs to continue to provide direction and see that fairness and justice continues in the community:  that is what "judges" implies.

 

I Samuel 5-6 | lesson # 7 | No Other Gods Before Me

                                                            SAMUEL 5 AND 6                lesson # 7

                                                                                                           

I.  Greetings:

 

II.  Introduction:

            Q Can anyone describe the ark of the covenant?  What did it look like and how big was it?

               An = If there is a chalk or white board present let someone attempt to draw it, or select someone with strong self-esteem and pick on them to draw it.  If nothing is present with which to illustrate the ark, let them verbally describe it.   It was basically a rectangular box (approximately 2 1/4 feet by 2 1/4 wide by 3 3/4 feet long) with a lid of gold.  On top of the box were two cherubim (angels, lions???) who faced each other with outstretched wings towards one another that did not touch.  The box was made of acadia wood and overlaid with gold.  Inside of the box was apparently Moses's staff, a jar of manna, and the tablets of Moses' law.  On the corners of the ark were four rings where two poles could put placed so that four Levites could carry the ark.

            Note:  The ark was considered to be "place of His presence" and "the ark of the covenant or testimony".  In other words, the Israelites associated the ark with His invisible presence where Yahweh could be approached in prayer:  presumably between the four outstretched wings of the ark was a space where the wings did not quite touch.  It was also the reminder of the covenant and so was a reminder of how Israel was related to God on the basis of the Ten Commandments.  The reason the Israelites wanted the ark at the battle between the Philistines and themselves was to guarantee Yahweh' presence for their victory.  They might not have figured on the fact that it was also a reminder of their "covenant relationship" based on the Ten Commandments.  We will look at this idea later.

            Q Based on what we read last week of the massive defeat suffered by Israel after the ark arrived would the average observer has regarded the ark as very powerful?

               An = Objectively no!  The Philistines relied on a pep-talk and the Israelites relied on the ark and got slaughtered. slaughtered.  Perhaps, it is merely a box.  Lets read more about this symbol of God's presence.

 

III.  The Ark in Philistia:  A Rough Seven Months.  I Samuel 5:1-12.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:1-5.

            Q How many times did Dagon "fall down".

               An = twice.

            Q What did the falling down of Dagon represent?

               An = The ark was placed before Dagon as a representation of Dagon's victory over the Israelite people and its gods.  What happens when the people come in the morning though is that the symbolization is reversed.

            Note:  Dagon in myths we have discovered was reported to have been the father of Baal.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:6-9.

            Q How many cities were struck with the plague (tumors/hemorrhoids/?)?

               An = Two cities.  The ark was causing havack in the cities and according to those of Ashdon causing havack on their god Dagon (5:7).  There is quite a discussion as to what type of plague the cities were struck with.  We know it included mice or rats and that the Hebrew word translated tumors or hemorrhoids is a rare word.  We also know that it caused "panic" or "confusion".  What is clear is that these victorious cities were being devastated by the weak God of Israel.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:10-12.

            Q What did the people of Philistia decide to do?

               An = To get rid of this ark before it got rid of them.

 

IV.  Traveling Home:  More Miracles and More Destruction.  I Samuel 6:1-21.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:1-9.

            Q What is the proposal for sending the ark back?

               An = 1) The Philistines are trying to appease Yahweh.  They had little trouble with Israel's armies but were having excessive trouble with Israel's God.  They sent golden offerings of five "somethings" and five mice.  2) Then they prepared a test again for Yahweh.  Notice 6:7 and 6:9.

            Note:  It seems that the Philistines were not overly superstitious.  They knew that the plague could be attributed to chance or natural causes.  They wanted a further sign that this was indeed the hand of the Lord on them through the ark.  Perhaps, they had not been told the stories of the falling down of Dagon in the temple.  What concerned them now was their physical safety.

            Q What type of test is to place two lactating mammals in one direction and tie up their off spring in another?

               An = They knew it would have to be divine for a nursing mammal to voluntarily walk away from its young.  They were looking for another sign to make sure the plagues were not mere coincidence.

            Note:  The reason for hauling the ark on the "new cart" instead of carrying with poles as the Levites did was probably due to the Philistine custom of carrying their gods on a "new cart" that had never been used.  It was their way of showing respect.  It was not the way the ark was to be carried by the Israelites (or why else the golden rings for the poles).

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:10-16.

            Q Did the ark prove to be powerful again?  Did the ark pass the test?

               An = Yes, the oxen went straight into Israelite territory.  The people of Bethshemesh were excited.  Note that the story is told with such descriptive power (Gordon p. 92).  Notice the oxen lowed as they went and when the cart arrived at people of Bethshemesh wer reapoing their wheat harvest and looked up.... 

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:17-18.

            Q Were the Bethshemites religiously observant?

               An = Yes they were.  Now notice the strange part of the story that follows.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:19-21.

            Q Is this disturbing?  Why?

            Q Why did God kill so many Israelites?

               An = It seems that Israelites of Bethshemesh were sort of brain-dead or thought they could be curiously about the ark because they had done a religious thing in 6:18 with their religious monument.  They blasphemed by looking into the ark and found that their nationality did not seem to help them much with the ark.

            Q Are their people today that think God loves them so much more than others that they can be cavalier with the things of God?

               An = Some nationalities think this.  So people think that their denomination is superior and so they are arrogant with the things of God.  Many times seminary students are this way.  It is dangerous behavior.  It seems God is no respector of persons.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:8 and then 6:20.

            Q What do these two speeches have in common?

               An = Both of these groups have much in common in their attitude towards encountering the holiness of God.  It is dangerous and they want distance from the Lord of Glory.  At least the Israelites understand that God is holy as well as dangerous.

            PASS OUT THE CHART ENCLOSED OR MAKE A TRANSPARENCEY OF IT AND SHOW THOSE PRESENT.

            Note:  There are roughly seven stories about the ark in I Samuel 5-6.  In the first story the ark seems amazingly impotent.  The next stories are amazingly opposite.  Dealing with the ark is a dangerous business.  Power is eluded in strong fashion against other gods, pagan Philistines and Israelites as well.

            Q Why was the ark so impotent when the Israelites were so strong in believing in its power in I Samuel 4:4-11?

               An = Notice two main issues.  1) No where does it say that the Israelites prayed in I Samuel 4.  They got together and came up with some good about getting some religious help.  They believed in the symbol but were not speaking with the Lord who is behind the symbol.  Remember, God is person, not electricity or a "source of power" to be manipulated.  He will answer our humble prayers, He will not be manipulated.  He is dangerous and holy, but seemingly silent and impotent to those who try to "use" Him or "manipulate".  In fact, to those who attempt to manipulate Him He brought on them disaster (I Samuel 4:4-11).

            2)  The second thing is that if we remember that the ark is the Ark of the Covenant" and inside of the ark is the Ten Commandments.  These were designed to regulate the relationship with the Lord and show the people how to be around Him.  The Ten Commandments were the guide to help the people know what the terms of the covenant with this powerful God were.

            Q What were the first two commandments?

               An = No other gods before Me and no idols.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:1-4.