1S13

1S13:1 “...Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty two years over Israel...”

How long did Saul reign well?

1S13:6,7 “...the men of Israel ...were hard-pressed) ...hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits ...the people followed ...trembling...”

The fall of Saul in four fleshly steps.

STEP 1: Seeking to meet legitimate needs in illegitimate ways.

What were the odds like in the upcoming battle?

1S13:5 Philistines had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, people like the sand of the sea.

1S13:15,22 Saul had 600 men, and only Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear.

Why did only Saul and Jonathan have weapons?

1S13:19 Their world had stripped them of their weapons.

How does our world take our weapons?

Why Is it important to approach God in the correct way?

1S13:8-10 Saul gets impatient and offers an illegal sacrifice, trying to entreat God’s favor.

Is there a wrong way to access the sacrifice of Jesus?

What is “a man after God’s own heart”?

1S13:14 “...But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you..."

Do we share His core values, intents, and purposes? Gal.4:19 “...My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you...”

1S14

The faith of Jonathan:

1S14:6 “...Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few..."

Similar to how David would approach Goliath?

The victory of Jonathan:

1S14:14 “...That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land...”

1S14:15 Then there’s another natural/supernatural event - earthquake.

1S14:16 The multitude melted away (trouble dissolved).

1S14:20,23 The enemy fights itself. The Lord delivers Israel that day.

Victory is tainted by Saul’s foolish order that no-one was to eat.

1S14:27 Jonathan ate some honey and was refreshed.

1S14:45 The people prevent Saul from killing Jonathan.

1S15

What was the next careless act of Saul?

1S15:2,3 “... Thus says the Lord ...strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey...”

1S15:9 “...But Saul ...spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good...”

STEP 2: Self preferences lead to incomplete obedience.

How did God respond to Saul’s incomplete obedience?

1S15:11 “...I regret that I have made Saul king ...”

1S15:17, 19 “... though you were little in your own eyes ...the Lord anointed you king over Israel ...Why then did you not obey ...but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil...”

Saul went from humble, chosen, and sent - to rejection.

1S15:22,23 “...Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying ...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, ...For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. ...you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king..."

Saul can’t undo what he had done.

1S15:26 “...But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel..."

1S15:35 “... Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death ...And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

1S16

A replacement is found in Bethlehem.

1S16:1 “...the Lord said to Samuel ...I have selected a king for Myself...”

Seven sons of Jesse don’t meet the Lord’s approval.

1S16:7 “...the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature ...for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart..."

David is brought in from tending the sheep.

1S16:13,14 “...Then Samuel ...anointed him ...and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward ...Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him...”

Is there a supernatural basis for good and evil? From where did the tormenting evil spirit come that terrorized Saul?

Does God provide opportunity to avoid evil’s grip?

1S16:23 “...So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him...”

1S17

How big and strong was Goliath?

1S17:4 “... Then a champion ...of the Philistines named Goliath ...whose height was six cubits and a span...” ~ 9 ½ feet

1S17:7 “... The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron...” ~ 16lbs 11oz

1S17:11 “...Saul and all Israel ...were dismayed and greatly afraid...”

The taunting continued until finally answered.

1S17:16 “... The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand...”

David came with God’s heart and assurance, living in a different reality.

1S17:40 “...five smooth stones...” Why 5? 5 Philistine tribes?

1S17:46 “...all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel...”

1S17:47 “...the battle is the Lord’s...”

1S17:50 “... David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him...”

1S18

A true friendship is formed.

1S18:1,3 “... the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David ... Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself...”

But trouble was coming.

1S18:6,7 “... when David returned ...the women came out ...singing and dancing ...and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands...”

1S18:8 “...Saul became very angry ...looked at David with suspicion from that day on...”

1S18:10,11 “...the next day ...an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved ...while David was playing the harp ...Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall...”

What could be done in this situation?

Was Saul’s condition bipolar, depressed, mental illness?

Would we deal with Saul’s condition with counseling or drugs?

Isn’t repentance and God’s deliverance what was needed?

Romans 1:21-25 “...though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened ... Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity ...For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever...”

Does dishonoring God lead to God giving a person over to self, and the person exchanging truth for lies?

Unsuccessful plot for David’s downfall.

1S18:20,21,25 “...Michal, Saul’s daughter ...I will give her to him ...she may become a snare ...dowry ...a hundred foreskins of the Philistines ...”

1S18:26-29 David brought two hundred, “...Saul ...knew that the Lord was with David ...was even more afraid of David...”

1S19

The hatred increases, but David has help.

1S19:1 “...Saul told Jonathan ...and all his servants to put David to death...”

1S19:5-7 Jonathan negotiates a temporary peace.

1S19:9 “..an evil spirit from the Lord ...Saul tried to pin David to the wall...”

1S19:12 “... So Michal let David down through a window, and he went out and fled and escaped...”

Why was there a household idol in David’s house?

Michal used it as a decoy, but why was it even available?

Unusual sequence of prophesying.

1S19:20-24 “... Saul sent messengers to take David ...the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they ...prophesied ..Saul ...sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. Then he himself went to Ramah ...and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying...

Do we understand the spirit world?

1S20

David and Jonathan set up an emergency warning system.

1S20:9 “... Jonathan said ...if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father ...would I not tell you about it?...”

1S20:20,22 Arrows to be shot. “... if I say ...the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the Lord has sent you away...”

Saul is furious with his son Jonathan.

1S20:33 “... Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death...”

David is officially on the run for his life.

Jonathan warns David using the system. They end up face-to-face anyway.

1S20:42 “... Jonathan said ...Go in safety ...The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever...”

1S21

A pattern of deception begins?

1S21:2 David lies to Ahimelech to get 5 loaves of consecrated bread.

1S21:13 Feigns insanity before the people of Gath.

Is this the beginning of David’s besetting sin - manipulation. It becomes a habit, which is later used to kill Uriah. Does it hasten the eventual destruction of his family. Does his family also act deceptively?

1S22

David assembles a following and provides for family.

1S22:2 “...Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him...”

1S22:3,4 Leaves his family with the king of Moab.

Saul, moved by hate, has Ahimelech and others killed.

1S22:18 “... Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod …”

1S23

David asks the Lord twice about saving Keilah.

1S23:5 “... So David and his men ...fought with the Philistines; and he ...struck them with a great slaughter ...David delivered ...Keilah...”

He asks if the people he just saved will give him up.

1S23:12 “... Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.”...”

STEP 3: Obsession with preserving your own status.

1S23:14 “...Saul sought him every day ...God did not deliver him....”

David had already been anointed as king back in chapter 16.

Moving toward the fulfillment of God’s plans can take some time.

1S23:15-18 Jonathan encourages David to persevere.

1S23:26-28 Saul has David surrounded, but must abort fight Philistines.

1S24

David keeps his conscience clear.

1S24:3-13 “... Saul went in ...David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave ...David arose and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly ...David’s conscience bothered him ... David ...did not allow them to rise up against Saul ...David ...called after Saul, saying, My lord the king! ...the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave ...but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed ...there is no evil or rebellion ...my hand shall not be against you...”

1S24:20 Saul has a sane moment and response “... Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand...”

1S25

Rich but evil Nabal sets himself up to be attacked.

1S25:5,6,8 “...David sent ...men ...to ...visit Nabal and greet him ...and say ...please give ...to your servants ...and David...”

1S25:11 “...Shall I ...take my ...bread ...water ...meat ...and give it to men ...I do not know ...”

1S25:13 David prepares 400 men for an attack.

Intelligent and beautiful Abigail intercedes.

1S25:18,23,28 “...Abigail ...took bread ...wine ...sheep ...roasted grain ...raisins ...and figs ...saw David ...fell on her face ...at his feet and said ...please forgive...”

1S25:38 “... About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died...”

David continues to accumulate wives.

1S25:42-44 Abigail becomes David’s wife, along with Ahinoam, and Michal who Saul gave to Palti.

1S26

David again spares Saul.

1S26:4,7,9 “... David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming ... David and Abishai came ...by night ...Saul lay sleeping ...But David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt ... “

1S26:12 “...David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul’s head, ...no one saw or knew it, nor did any awake ...because a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.?...”

He was leaving it to God. A lesson learned from the Nabal incident?

Does God prepare us to face our future by giving lessons in our present?

David is hoping to reap good from being good.

1S26:24 “... as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the Lord, and may He deliver me from all distress...”

1S27

1S27:1,4,6,7 David decides to “...escape into the land of the Philistines ...Saul ...no longer searched for him ...Achish gave him Ziklag ...David lived in the country ...a year and four months...”

1S27:8-12 David completely destroys multiple local inhabitants, while deceiving Achish, telling him he was raiding Judah.

1S28

What to do about the Philistines attacking Israel?

1S28:3,6,7 “...Samuel was dead ...When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him ...Saul said ...seek for me a woman who is a medium...”

STEP 4: Succumbing to abominations.

1S28:11 Brings up Samuel from where? Is there a spirit realm reality that we don’t understand? Samuel reminds him that -

1S28:16,19,21 “.. the Lord has departed ...and has become your adversary ...tomorrow you and your sons will be with me ...he was terrified...”

1S29

The Philistines mistrust David.

1S29:2,3 “... the Philistines were proceeding ...and David and his men were proceeding on in the rear with Achish. Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here? ”

1S29:4 “... the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him ...said to him, “Make the man go back ...and do not let him go down to battle with us...”

1S29:11 “... So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines…”

1S30

David finds Ziklag looted and destroyed.

1S30:3 “... When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire ...wives ...sons ....daughters had been taken captive...”

1S30:6,8 “...But David strengthened himself in the LORD ...inquired of the Lord ...shall I pursue...”

An Eqyptian who had been abandoned led them to the Amalekites.

1S30:18 “...David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken...”

David graciously shares the spoils.

1S30:22 “... the wicked and worthless men said ...we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered...”

1S30:23-25 “... Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us ...For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage...”

1S31

The reign of Saul comes to an end.

1S31:2 “... The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua the sons of Saul...”

1S31:3-6 “... The battle went heavily against Saul ...he was badly wounded ...Saul took his sword and fell on it. ...his armor bearer ...also fell on his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together...”

1S31:11-13 “...the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ...the valiant men rose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall ...They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh...”

Remember Jabesh-Gilead? In Judges, they had failed to go to war against Benjamin, so they were killed and 400 virgins were given to the tribe of Benjamin. Have they now proved themselves to be honorable?

2 SAMUEL

2S1

David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan.

2S1:1-10 An Amalekite brings news of their death.

2S1:11-16 David has the Amalekite killed for not saving Saul.

2S1:24-26 “...O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul ...How have the mighty fallen ...I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan...”

2S2

Judah follows David. Israel follows Ishbosheth.

2S2:1 “...David inquired of the Lord ...Where shall I go up? ...To Hebron ...”

2S2:4 “...the men of Judah came ...anointed David king over ...Judah...”

2S2:10 Saul’s son Ishbosheth becomes king over Israel for 2 years.

War between David/Joab/Judah and Ishbosheth/Abner/Israel

2S2:14-16 24 lost initially - 12 from each side killed each other.

2S2:17 “... That day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David...”

2S2:18-23 Abner kills Joab’s brother Asahel, after he refused a warning.

2S2:30 Joab loses 19 and his brother Asahel..

2S2:31 Abner loses 360.

2S3

Son’s of David by 6 different wives.

2S3:2-5 Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream.

Deut.17:14-17 "...When you enter the land ...you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses, ...he shall not multiply horses for himself ...He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself...”

2S3:14-16 And six weren’t enough? [Ish-Bosheth kidnaps Michal from her current husband to deliver her to David..

Why does Abner decide to take sides with David?

2S3:7-12 Not loyalty to God’s purpose and anointing - he’s upset when Ish-Bosheth questions him about sleeping with Saul’s concubine.

2S3:21,27,30 Abner plans to gather the people of Israel under David’s reign, but “...Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner...”

2S3:32,36 David mourns for Abner and “...all the people took note ..it pleasedl them...”.

2S4

Violence, and more violence.

2S4:1-8 “... Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, ...had two men who were commanders ...Baanah and ...Rechab ...came to the house of Ish-bosheth ...and they struck him in the belly ...killed him and beheaded him ...brought the head ...to David...”

2S4:9-12 “... David ...said to them ...when one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed ...when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood ...Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron...”

2S5

David is anointed by the elders of Israel as king.

2S5:4 “... David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron ...over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah...”

2S5:7,9 “...David captured the stronghold of Zion (Jerusalam) ...lived in the stronghold ...and called it the city of David…”

JU17

The danger residing within humanity!

JU17:1-5 Micah steals from his mother, but admits his guilt. She has the silversmith make an idol. Micah turns to household idols and even sets a son up to be a priest.

JU17:6 “...In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes...”

JU17:7-13 A Levite joins Micah, who now thinks all is well.

A description of the time of the Judges. A description of our time?

Absence of recognized spiritual authority leads to sinful chaos.

JU18.

The tribe of Dan goes north as their lifestyle goes south.

JU18:15-20 “... They turned aside there and came ...to the house of Micah, ... and took the graven image and the ephod and household idols and the molten image, ...the priest said to them, “What are you doing?” They said to him, “Be silent, ...come with us, ...to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel...”

JU18:27-30 “... Then they ...came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure, and struck them with the edge of the sword; and they burned the city with fire. ...they rebuilt the city and lived in it ...The sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image...”

Worshiping graven images shouldn’t be confused with worshiping God, even though it seems like worship.

Godliness is not a verbal claim. It must be a manifest reality in heart motives and actions. Conduct must change to match His expectations. A description of our time?

JU19

A Sodom and Gomorra repeat by Gibeanites/Benjamites.

JU19:1,2 Levite’s concubine (extra bride) plays the harlot and leaves.

JU19:3-10 He goes and retrieves her.

JU19:11-15 They journey to Gibeah where Benjamites lived.

JU19:16-21 They’re inviting into an old man’s house

JU19:22-25 “... While they were celebrating ...worthless fellows, surrounded the house ...saying, “Bring out the man who came into your house that we may have relations with him ...the owner of the house ...said to them, ...please do not act so wickedly ...do not commit this act of folly ...But the men would not listen to him ....seized his concubine ...raped her and abused her all night...”.

A highly unusual message, with attachments, is sent.

JU19:27-30 “... Her master ...took a knife and laid hold of his concubine and cut her in twelve pieces ...and sent her throughout the territory of Israel. All who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or been seen from the day when the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt to this day. Consider it, take counsel and speak up!...”

JU20, JU21

A Civil War with thousands of fatalities.

JU20:12-17 “... the tribes of Israel sent men ...saying, “What is this wicked- ness that has taken place among you? Now then, deliver up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove this wickedness from Israel.” But the sons of Benjamin would not listen ...The sons of Benjamin gathered ...to go out to battle against the sons of Israel ... the sons of Benjamin were ...26,000 men ...the inhabi- tants of Gibeah ...700 choice men ...the men of Israel ... 400,000 men...”

JU20:18,21 “...the Lord said, Judah shall go up first...” And 22,000 Israelites die on the first day.

JU20:23,25 “...the Loard said, Go up against him...” And 18,000 Israelites die on the second day.

JU20:28 “... Phinehas ...stood ...saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?” And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand....” 30 killed.

JU20:35 “... And the Lord struck Benjamin before Israel, so that the sons of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day...”

The tribe of Benjamin almost eliminated.

JU20:47 “... But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and they remained at the rock of Rimmon four months..”

JU21:3,8 “... Why, O Lord, God of Israel, has this come about in Israel, so that one tribe should be missing today in Israel?...What shall we do for wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by the Lord not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?...”

Wives for the surviving Benjamites.

JU21:8 “... And they said, “What one is there of the tribes of Israel who did not come up to the Lord at Mizpah?” And behold, no one had come to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly...”

JU21:11,12 “...This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every man and every woman who has lain with a man.” And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead 400 young virgins who had not known a man by lying with him; and they brought them ...”

JU21:14 “... Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had kept alive from the women of Jabesh-gilead; yet they were not enough for them...”

JU21:20,21 “... Go and lie in wait in the vineyards, and watch; and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to take part in the dances, then ...each of you shall catch his wife from the daughters of Shiloh...”

21:23 - The rest were kidnapped from Shiloh.

How would you explain, or justify this behavior?

JU21:25 “...In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes...”

Should it surprise us that our land is full of foolish and self-destructive behavior?

RUTH

Events likely occurred during the time of Gideon.

Ruth 1 - Love’s RESOLVE: your people shall be my people, and your God my God

Ruth 2 - Love’s RESPONSE: working in the field.

Ruth 3 - Love’s REQUEST: at the feet of Boaz.

Ruth 4 - Love’s REWARD: redemption.

R1

Tragedy strikes the family of Elimelech and Naomi

R1:2-5 “... Elimelech, and ...Naomi; and ...two sons ...Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah ...entered the land of Moab ...Elime- lech . ..died; ...two sons ...took for themselves Moabite women as wives ...Orpah and ...Ruth ...they lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died ...”

Naomi decides to return to the land of Judah.

R1:8,9 “... Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house ...May the Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband ...they lifted up their voices and wept...”

Famous passage where Ruth joins herself to Naomi

R1:16 “...But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God...”

Naomi changes her name to Mara (bitterness).

R1:19-21 “...they came to Bethlehem ...She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty ...the Almighty has afflicted me?...”

R2

Kinsman Boaz - God’s system for caring for widows.

R2:1,2 ”... Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth ...whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor...”

Boaz learns of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi.

R2:5,6 “... Whose young woman is this?” The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab...”

R2:8,11,12 “... stay here with my maids ...All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me ...May the Lord reward your work...”

R2:23 “...So she stayed close by the maids of Boaz in order to glean until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest...”

R3

Naomi coaches Ruth on catching her future.

R3:3,4 “...Wash yourself ...anoint yourself ...put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking ...when he lies down ...go and uncover his feet and lie down ...he will tell you what you shall do...”

R3:6,9,12,13 “...she went ...and did ...He said ...there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you...”

R4

The offer to buy has a requirement.

R4:3,5,6 “...Naomi ...has to sell the piece ...on the day you buy the field ...you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess ...The closest relative said ...Redeem it for yourself, you may have my right of redemption...”

The deal was completed with a sandal.

Ruth, the great grandmother of King David,.

R4:13,14,17 “...So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife ...and she gave birth go a son ...the neighbor women ...named him Obed...”

R4:21 “... and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David...”

Matthew 1:5,6 “...Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David the king. David...”

  What is the spiritual story of Ruth?

Boaz: the kinsman redeemer, a type of Christ. Doing for someone what they couldn’t do for themselves.

Naomi: the blood line descendent, a type of Israel, restored to her rightful place.

Ruth: the non-Jew (Gentile), a type of the Church, given a place in the kingdom.

    Traditionally, the book of Ruth is read by rabbis on the Feast of Pentecost, the very day the church was born.

Which would you rather have, the land, or the bridegroom?

 

SAMUEL

We looked at the lives of 12 judges of Israel in the book of Judges. They weren’t the best characters, but they conquered the oppres-sors, giving the chance for the Israelites to repent and serve God.

Now we find that Eli and Samuel were also judges. Samuel was born 30 years before Samson’s fiascoes as judge. And then Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel (1S8:1).

We also witness the Rise and the Fall of Saul

1. Seeking legitimate needs in illegitimate ways.

2. Self preferences leading to incomplete obedience.

3. Obsession with preserving personal status.

4. Succumbing to abominations.

1S1

Is God in charge of birth control?

1S1:5 “...Hannah ..the Lord had closed her womb...”

Bitter, Weeping, Vowing, Misunderstood, Heard, Blessed

1S1:6,7 “...Her rival ...would provoke her bitterly to irritate her ...year after year...”

1S1:9-11 “...Hannah ...greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly ...if You will ...give Your maidservant a son ...I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life...”

1S1:13,14 “... only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said to her, “How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you...”

1S1:19,20 “...the Lord remembered her. ..she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”

1S1:27,28 “... I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition ...So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives...”

1S2, 1S3

Hannah fulfills her vow, and receives more blessing.

IS2:1-10 A song of thanksgiving.

1S2:11 “... the boy ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest...”

1S2:21 “...The Lord visited Hannah; and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord...”

Hannah gave up a treasure, and received many more. She proved that she didn’t love the blessing more than she loved the blesser.

What was the problem with Eli’s family?

1S2:12,17,22,25 “...the sons of Eli were worthless men, they did not know the Lord and the custom of the priests ...the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord ...they lay with the women who served at the ...tent of meeting ...they would not listen to the voice of their father...”

What did the Lord think of Eli’s sons, and of Eli?

1S2:25 “...the Lord desired to put them to death...”

1S2:27,29,30,34 “... A man of God came to Eli and said ...Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering ...and honor your sons above Me ...those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed ... Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will die.”

1S3:11-14 “... I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, ...I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever...”

Samuel grows into the purposes of God.

1S2:26 “...Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the LORD and with men...”

1S2:35 “... I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul...”

1S3:1”... word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent...”

1S3:4-10 “... the Lord called Samuel ...The Lord called yet again ...Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, ...the Lord called Samuel again for the third time ...Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening...”

1S3:19-21 “...Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail ...All ...knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord ...the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel...”

1S4

The Philistines carry out the judgment on Eli’s family.

1S4:1-11 Battle with the Philistines, the ark is taken, Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are killed, along with 30,000 foot soldiers.

1S4:15-18 98 year old, overweight Eli gets the news, falls backwards, breaks his neck, and his 40 years of judging Israel are over.

1S4:22 Phinehas’s wife, Eli’s daughter-in-law, kneels down and gives birth “...and she called the boy Ichabod, saying, the glory has departed from Israel, because the ark of God was taken..."

1S5

Is the presence of the ark always a blessing?

1S4:4 “... Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God...” when the Philistines killed them and defeated Israel.

1S5:2-5 “...the ark of God ...brought ...to the house of Dagon...” The Philistine false god toppled over. The people propped Dagon back up (typical of false gods - can’t do a thing without help). Dagon is beheaded with both palms cut off.

1S5:6-12 “... the hand of the Lord was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He ravaged them and smote them with tumors ...the men ... said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is severe on us...” so they moved the ark to Gath. Gath is then confused and smitten with tumors, so they move it to Ekron. Ekron is also smitten with tumors.

What can be learned from this sequence of events?

God can’t be manipulated to obtain a blessing.

Israel tried using the ark to control their destiny.

The Philistines thought it would fit in nicely with their gods.

God doesn’t fit into man’s plans. Man must fit into God’s plans.

1S6

The Philistines decide the ark must go, with an offering.

1S6:4,5 “... the guilt offering which we shall return to Him? ...Five golden tumors and five golden mice according to the number of the lords of the Philistines ...likenesses of your tumors and ...mice that ravage the land, and you shall give glory to the God of Israel ...”

1S6:7-9 “... a new cart and two milch cows ...take their calves home, away from them ... the ark of the Lord ...on the cart ...send it away ...”

1S6:12,19 “... the cows took the straight way ...to Beth-shemesh ...”

Believers and unbelievers alike should honor God’s ways.

1S6:19 “... He struck ...the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the Lord ...50,070 men ... a great slaughter...”

1 Chron.13:10 “... anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark;...”

Don’t get too casual with a holy God?

1S7

Samuel repeats the established requirement for blessing.

1S7:3 “...Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines..."

How did they finally get some victory over the Philistines?

1S7,4,6,9 “...they removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth ...and fasted ...and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel and the Lord answered ...”

1S7:10,13 “... the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel ...the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel...”

Samuel set up the Ebenezer (stone of help) as a stone of remembrance.

1S8

Failure to be “set apart” will plague the next generation .

1S8:3 Samuel’s sons take bribes and pervert justice.

1S8:5,6 People demand a king, which displeases God

1S8:7 They rejected God, which as it had been foretold in D17:14.

1S8:10-20 Samuel lists all the downsides of having an earthly king, but the people refuse to listen. They want to be like all the nations. They didn’t resist the pull of culture.

1S9

From chasing stray donkeys, to eating with Samuel, to admitting to being of the smallest tribe, nearly wiped out in the civil war over the concubine.

Who picked Saul as king?

1S9:2 “... Saul ...there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel ...he was taller than any of the people..”

1S9:15,16 “... the Lord had revealed ...to Samuel ...I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, ...you shall anoint him to be prince...”

1S9:17 “...When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said ...This one shall rule...”

1S10

Who anointed Saul as king?

1S10:1 “... Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?..”

Samuel tells Saul all that is going to take place. Fulfilled prophesy has a way of solidifying a person in God’s intentions.

Was Saul ready to be king?

1S10:6 “...you will be changed into another man...”.

1S10:9 “... God changed his heart ...he prophesied among them...”

Serving God required being born anew, even pre-Christ!

10:22 “...hiding himself by the baggage...”

Can a person be a born again coward? [called but not ready for war]

Did all accept Saul as king?

1S10:27 “... But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?” And they despised him ...But he kept silent...”

1S11

Saul gets his first victory, previous doubters given mercy.

1S11:1 Jabesh-gilead is besieged by the Ammonites.

1S11:6,7,11 “...Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily ...the dread of the Lord fell on the people ...they ...struck down the Ammonites ...”

1S12

Stubborn hearts follow their own plans, not God’s.

1S12:15 "...If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers...”

1S12:17 “...you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the Lord by asking for yourselves a king...”

1S12:18 “... So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel...”

Samuel gives the marching orders.

1S12:21 “...You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile...”

1S12:24 “...Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you...”