Samuel – Page 5 – Old Testament Survey

1 Samuel 15

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally).

The opening verses, as many in the Old Testament, can be misunderstood. Unless we look at the passage in terms of whom God is and what He has done, verse three seems to be overkill (literally). However, God is punishing them for their sins. The book of Romans reminds us that there are none who are innocent and all deserve death based on rebellion against God. This would include “child and infant.” God is also judging them, specifically, for not befriending the Israelites on their journey. The latter occurred because of the former. The key in these verses (1-3) is for Saul, as God’s anointed, to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites. When we do not obey God to the letter of what He commands, we will set up ourselves for future sorrow. We will see this later in the chapter with Agag and have already seen it through Joshua and Judges.

The command God gave to Saul was to destroy all living creatures from among the Amalekites. Saul musters more than 200,000 men to battle, which shows the entirety of Israel was under his kingship by this time. He allows the Kenites to leave. They were not under God’s judgment. He allows Agag, the king, and all the animals that were healthy to survive. These were under God’s judgment. He partially follows what God commanded. This always leads to trouble.

The next verse shows God’s displeasure with Saul. Not only does Saul disobey God but he erects a monument to himself (verse 12). He then greets Samuel as if nothing wrong had happened. Samuel calls out Saul for his disobedience. Saul blames it on the soldiers then on God. He then proclaims that he followed God’s commands to the letter.

Samuel lays down God’s judgment before Saul. Saul attempts to justify himself by his actions (works do not save us). He thinks his actions are better than what God had planned. This is the basis for all our sins. We believe our plan is better than the God of the universe’s plan. Samuel provides God’s heart. Verse 22 should be committed to memory. God rejects Saul. He informs him that his sin was as bad as seeking out a witch for advice. He does this later in the book.

Saul repents. Even in his “repentance” he is blaming the people for his sins. The kingdom is now given to the unnamed rightful first king of Israel, which we will see in the next chapter. Samuel had nothing to do with Saul after that night. Samuel grieved over what happened with Saul. We should have the same heart. When in disciplining people in our sphere of influence, we should never delight in the discipline but grieve over what has happened and be in prayer for restoration. In this case, there is no restoration. When it states that God was sorry that He made Saul king, it means He also grieved over the life and work of Saul. It does not mean that He made a mistake and wanted to do it all over again.

Samuel finished the work Saul did not complete. He killed Agag. Saul must not have killed all the people of the Amalekites. A few hundred years later, in Esther 3, a descendant of Agag is mentioned whose name is Haman.

Our lack of obedience to God will come back to us in the form of discipline. Hebrews 12 reminds us that as God’s children we should expect discipline when we go against His commands. His discipline is always for restoration to fellowship with Him and His people. The consequences of our disobedience today may not come upon us quickly but may manifest themselves later in life or in our children’s life. We need to be careful, therefore, in how we live that God’s blessing rather than discipline may be found in our life and in the future for our children and for those people in our sphere of influence.

1 Samuel 13

Chapter 13 introduces Saul’s character and who he relies on for help in time of need. As you read through this chapter, ask yourself if you would have done the things Saul did. If your answer is that you would not have, explain why you believe you are above his sins. Many of us refer to 1 Corinthians 10.13 as a promise to us that we don’t have to fall and that God won’t place us in a situation where we would fall. However, the context explains something else. First Corinthians 10.12 warns that if we are proud and do not think we would commit a particular sin because we are not vulnerable to it, it is there we will fall. Then, the promise of verse 13 is ineffective because we placed ourselves in that position, not God.

Verse one is not a complete text in the Hebrew and after studying the text and various translations there is no real solution for what the verse says. This is not problematic due to the nature of the verse. It contains no theology, merely a dating reference. The structure of the Hebrew suggests that the first number is how old Saul was when he began to reign. The second number mentions how many years he reigned up to an event. Looking at the verse this way, we can read the verse this way: Saul was x years old (we know he was not a young man because his son, Jonathan was of fighting age-verse 2) when he began to reign and he reigned two years over Israel when and an event took place, some view the event as the anointing of David as king in chapter 16. I view it as the stand against the Philistines in this chapter and the next two chapters. Acts 13.21 informs us that Saul reigned forty years. Some look at the number forty merely as a long period of time and not an actual number of years based on how they translated 1 Samuel 13.1. Again, it is not a matter of theology but a matter of chronology.

Up to this point, Saul may merely have been ruling over the Benjamites. This chapter now proclaims that all Israel is following him in war and accepting his leadership. The kingdom as not united before he became the king, it was united during his reign.

This chapter, as mentioned above, shows us the true character of Saul. Saul enjoys great popularity and military victories at the beginning of his career as seen in chapter 11 and later chapters.

The men are frightened because of the sheer number of Philistines with chariots, horses, and weaponry. They hide wherever they can, and tremble. This is where Saul’s fatal flaw of pride shines through. He is to wait for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices. He refuses to wait for him to offer the sacrifices and places on himself the responsibility of the priest. This is against Jewish law. He is not only a king from a non kingly line but appoints himself as a priest from a non priestly line. This Benjamite attempts to rule but is not from Judah and attempts to give sacrifice but is not from Levi. This is true arrogance. He places himself above the laws of God and make himself a law unto himself.

His impatience led him to do things he should not have done. His lack of trust in God’s Word and God’s man will lead to his destruction. He feared that God would not be able to keep the army together, that God would not bless them, that they would be defeated if he didn’t break the commands of God. How often do we do what we know to be wrong because of our impatience, pride, and lack of trust in God? This is humanity. This is Saul. We are this.

The moment he offers the sacrifice Samuel arrives. Saul makes an excuse for his sin and blames it on Samuel. Sounds like Adam and Eve. It is here that God rejects Saul and, in two chapters, will choose a man after His own heart to be king and replace the house of Saul.

The Israelites, who are under the oppression of the Philistines, muster themselves for war. But, they have no weapons due to this oppression. This small army is preparing itself for an ill-equipped war, outnumbered, and with a leader who was just rejected by God. And, we find out later, they won! It is not by our might, our deeds, our self that victory comes but, rather, by Him who indwells us (1 John 4.4 and 5.1-5).

This side note: Saul’s family was never intended to be the permanent kingly line for it was not of the tribe of Judah. God had answered the cries of the people for a king with what they thought would be a good king (tall and wealthy). God had planned for a king to come from Judah and to establish him on the throne, and that king will be David. In order to bring this about the line of Saul had to be cursed and rejected by a sin of Saul’s choosing. Although God had foreordained David’s kingship and Saul’s rejection, Saul willingly chose to sin against God and bring these consequences on his family.

1 Samuel 12

The chapters in 1 Samuel are written in a way that the storyline is interrupted to more or less establish a purpose. This chapter is not about Saul except that a king is mentioned. It is Samuel’s farewell address but he still is ministering in chapter 13. Today, then, we will look at 25 verses, that is chapter 12.

Chapter 12 of 1 Samuel has been referenced in these studies throughout the book of Judges. It is here that Samuel remembers the work of God from the time of Moses to the time of Samuel. It is a chapter of recalling the mighty works of God through those who He has chosen. It is a chapter calling for repentance for the things done due to the people not remembering. Remembering what God has done is so important for our growth that God calls us to remember quite often throughout Scripture. We are told to remember and are given tools to do so. For example, remember the

Rainbow-Genesis 9.15, 16
Covenant-Exodus 2.24
Passover-Exodus 13.3
Sabbath-Exodus 20.8
Offering-Numbers 5.15
Lord’s Supper-Luke 22.19

What do you do to help you remember what the Lord has done for you? Do you keep prayer requests along with their answers? Do you write about what the Lord has done in a journal or a diary? God set aside one day to recall all that He did and He proclaimed it good in Genesis 1. He also commanded that we keep one day to do as He did, the Sabbath. This day is for us to set aside for us to recall what we did the previous week to determine by holding it up to God’s Word if it was good. If our life, thoughts, actions, and deeds, was lived for Him, then we praise Him and determine to live those thoughts, actions, and deeds the next week. If that life was lived for self, we repent and ask Him for insight in how to overcome those things to live for Him. We, through taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10) by the power of His Spirit who indwells us, prepare our next week with consideration on how to live it for Him. The goal is for us to evaluate our lives at least weekly to determine our growth, remember His work, repent of our sin, etc., in order for Him to increase in our life and for us to decrease (John 3.30). In other words, for us to live the life for which He created us.

Samuel asks the people to also judge his actions. He does not ask them to judge the intent of his heart for only God can look into our hearts. He asks them to evaluate his life and determine if he has done evil against them. They answer that he did no evil in their sight. If we were to ask people to evaluate us, and they were honest, would we get the same report. What about the people who are in your sphere of influence? What about your family? What report would you get? This is also part of our weekly routine. We can be blind to our own faults or we can inflate them. Others, who we trust and are honest, can help us to overcome those tendencies. Accountability to God and others is key to this concept.

It is at this point that Samuel recalls the work of God in the nation and the good He has done. He then brings that action of the people in requesting a king before them. Although God chose Saul, it is here revealed that it is still the sin of the people in rejecting God as their king that brought the human king. This presents the answer to the prayer of the people not as a blessing but as a curse. We will see, as we have seen, that God had intended a king to come through Judah not Benjamin and that God’s intention is the blessing while man’s intention is the curse. It also shows us that we need to be careful for what we pray; God just might grant it (Romans 1).

Samuel provides us with the essence of the Scriptures: If you follow God, He will bless you. If you follow your own ways, you will be swept away by your sin.

Whose direction are you following? Do those in your sphere of influence recognize God in what you are doing? What can be done differently? Remember to remember to recall and to evaluate what you and God are doing in your life.

1 Samuel 10-11

How did those in your sphere of influence perceive your faith yesterday?

Today we come to the coronation and odd beginning for Saul. Before we begin these chapters, here are some observations. God chooses a tall man by this he was considered handsome. The Israelites proclaim that there is none like him. Are they judging him by his stature or by his character? Since not many people knew who he was, it appears as though the judgment was based on the outer appearance and not the inward appearance shining (Matthew 5.13-16 and Galatians 5.22-23). He was a Benjamite from Gibeah. Reread the end of Judges to recall the character of the men of that town and what happened to the Benjamites. Saul makes this city his capital.

We see in Scripture that when God does a new thing, He provides His Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this chapter, we do see that God “gave him [Saul] another heart.” Ezekiel 11.19 shows us when the Holy Spirit comes, He will give us a new heart not of stone but of flesh. When God introduces salvation in the book of Acts, the Spirit goes before the Apostles to open the eyes of the Jews, Samaritans, god-fearers, and the Gentiles to the Gospel.

A Special Note on the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts

a. The outpourings indicated that these particular people were called by God into His service.

b. The Holy Spirit indicated God’s claim on these people.

c. The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit came on those Jews who already believed in Jesus (Acts 2).

d. A later outpouring came on the Samaritans showing the Christians in Jerusalem that these people were also a part of God’s kingdom (Acts 8).

e. Later, the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the Gentile Cornelius and those who gathered with him (Acts 10).

f. Later, the Holy Spirit came on religious people who followed John the Baptist as a sign that what they believed was now complete in Christ (Acts 19).

g. After this, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is absent from biblical literature.

Back to 1 Samuel 10. We see this is what happened with Saul as confirmation to the people that God chose him, due to the disobedience of the people (1 Samuel 10.17-19, cf. Romans 1 and how God gives us over to our sins), and as confirmation to Saul that what Samuel spoke at the beginning of chapter 10 was from God. This confirmation is prophesied in verses 1-8, fulfilled in verses 9-16, and accepted in verses 17-26.

This chapter shows that he had great promise as a king. He was humble (or shy) and loyal to his father and his work.

The chapter ends ominously with a few people rejecting his kingship and a king gouging the eyes of all Jews east of the Jordan River (Joshua reminds us of the two-and-a-half tribes who settle there–Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh). However, 7,000 men escaped with both eyes and they went to Jabesh-Gilead. This king, Nashan, in chapter 11 pursues the men who surrender to him. He accepts only if he can gouge their eye out. Saul is called to help. He is plowing a field (what a kingly duty).

Verse six tells us that the Holy Spirit came upon him. We need to understand the theology behind this statement. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not permanently dwell in people. He came and went, this is why David would cry out in Psalm 51 for God not to take the Spirit away. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is the guarantor of our salvation and He seals it thus never to be taken away from us.

Saul promises victory, has it and is renewed as king over all Israel with no murmurers.

Saul did great things in these chapters because of the presence of God in his life. What are we doing today that is great because of that same God who indwells us? How do people know we have been saved? What evidence is there in our lives that God lives in us? What works are we doing that manifest Him (Ephesians 2.8-10)? How is our light shining in this darkened world so that they can see God in us?

1 Samuel 9

Chapter 9 begins innocently enough. It does not appear to be a continuation of the story from the previous chapter. Chapter 8 ends with the people clamoring for a king to lead them in battle, like the other nations (8.20). What did they think God was doing. I do realize that He did not lead them like other kings, but He led them victoriously and always. Where do we clamor for something less than God and His best? We know what He does for us and who He is and yet we seek to be like all the others.

Going back to the concept of a king, God had promised kings to Abraham from the beginning (Genesis 17.6, 16; 35.11). The people’s priority, however, was not to be placed in a king but in faithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 17.14-20). At the end of chapter 8, Samuel warns them that their decision will invite a harvest of regrets.

It is interesting what the word decide means. It comes from two words “de” and “cide.” The suffix -cide means to “kill off” as in suicide and homicide. The basic meaning of the word decide then is to kill off all other choices. The Israelites kill the other choices in their desire for a king, which means they killed off God as their choice for king.

A little more etymology for today. The word monarchy means “beginning,” as in Genesis 1.1 and John 1.1. It means “one chief,” “one ruler,” or “one sovereign.” The word arche means preeminent or first place as in archenemy, arch rivals, archangels, etc. The chief or big one. Read Colossians 1.15-23, the word is in verse 18, for God’s perspective on this word in relation to Jesus. Another meaning of the word is “one of one.” Up to this point in Israel’s history there was only one ruler and it was God.

The reason I began this entry by stating that chapter 9 and 8 seem to be disconnected is the tribe that Saul was from, Benjamin. God, through Jacob, established the royal lineage and it was not through Benjamin but through Judah. Jacob prophesied that kings would come from the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:10. This verse is also a prophesy of the coming of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom in Christ (Shiloh would be a messianic reference).

The physical description of Saul is what appears to be the reason for choosing him to be the king. He was tall (a sign of being handsome, 9.2) and wealthy. Although God chooses Saul, 9.15-17, he is not the intended king because he is not from the tribe of Judah. He is God’s judgment on Israel. He gave them over to their sin (Romans 1) and allowed them to suffer the consequences of their choice. He would later choose the first and right king of Israel from the tribe of Judah, but that is later in the book.

God orchestrated the events to bring Saul to the town and Samuel to the same town. He let the sheep roam the country to place Saul in the right place at the right time. He allowed the people to sacrifice that day for Samuel to be there to offer the sacrifice for them.

Saul shows early promise given his physical superiority and his other attributes of modesty, being direct and to the point, as well as generous. Later, we will see that these are not based on a right relationship with God. He is trusting in his own power. When we do this, we cannot expect to see things like the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22-23) coming from us because our fellowship is not with God due to our trust in our own strength. What are we doing today that reflects our own power and not His?
By the end of the chapter Saul is still clueless as to what was happening. Over the next few days we will see his kingdom implode. As a point of interest, Saul was a Benjamite and from Gibeah. Read Judges 20 to recall what this might imply about the family of Saul (1 Samuel 10.26).

Our past does not determine our future, but our relationship with God does determine our future. Our relationship with God is either as adopted child or enemy (Romans 8.15 and Romans 5.10). If we are for Him, He is for us and our future is bright (Joshua 5). If we are not for Him that would mean we are against Him, our future is dim. Success comes in our faithfulness to Him not in our looks, abilities, talents, etc. What have we been focusing on that does not align with His work, His Word? Are we taking every thought captive to make sure it aligns with what God would have us do (2 Corinthians 10.3-6)? Or are we accepting everything we read and hear as acceptable to God?

1 Samuel 8

I was going to read and comment on 1 Samuel 8-10 and the crying out of the people with the choosing and the coronation of Israel’s king. However, 1 Samuel 8 proved to be too much.

First Samuel 8 is a chapter full of insight into the human psyche or, better, sin-nature. This book has already presented Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, who chose to follow their own desires and rules while forsaking the way of their father and of his God. In this chapter we are introduced to Samuel’s two sons, Joel and Abijah, who also rejected the way of their father and of his God. This should bring parents to their knees. Samuel named his children after God. Joel means “to whom Jehovah is God” and Abijah means “my father is Jehovah.” He taught them the ways of God and they still rebelled (2-3). This is an example of the saying: “God has no grandchildren.” Our children need to make a profession of faith on their own because they are not children of God because they are in our family. There is no guarantee that a family that follows God will have children who believe because salvation is a personal expression of faith not a familial profession.

These four children thought they could control and manipulate God and His gifts. They missed the central meaning of salvation. What about my children? How am I raising them? Do they see the central need for their salvation to be lived out in the presence of the family, the school, church, and the world? Or, do they merely state they believe. The older two profess salvation, but Joseph doesn’t as of now. I need to continually be on our knees for them, and for Karen and me.

The lifestyle of the two sons of Samuel did not escape the leaders of Israel and they demanded a king in response to the actions of Joel and Abijah. From our studies of Joshua and Judges we have noticed that Israel is always seeking to conform to the patterns of this world by pursuing the Canaanite religion and lifestyle rather than being transformed by their fellowship with God (Romans 12.1-2). This is syncretism.

The book of Judges shows us that Israel first desired the Canaanite religion and, 1 Samuel shows, they desire their political institutions as well. Although God pronounced that Israel would have a king in Deuteronomy, it was more as a judgment than a blessing (Deuteronomy 17.14-20; 28.36). God never intended Israel to be an oligarchy, an aristocracy, a monarchy, or even a democracy, but rather a theocracy in which God was their king. They forgot who their king was in God.

Israel s request for a king is a rejection of the entire ministry and career of Samuel. They rejected everything he had worked for during his entire life. More than this, it was a rejection of the God he represented to the people. When people reject us for living like Christ, they are essentially rejecting Him for it is He whom we represent.

In the books we have studied this far, God presents himself like the father of the prodigal son. He lets the son go on to follow his evil desires. He allows him to do what is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 14.12). Romans 1 informs us that God gives us over to our sinful ways to suffer the consequences of our choices. This is the worst kind of judgment God can bring. He leaves us to our own sinful natures.

God gives Israel their request for a king but has Samuel warn the nation of the negative consequences which were already stipulated in the Torah. I think I would have given more thought in the decision after the warning Samuel gives. It doesn’t seem too exciting.

Even though the beginnings were steeped in sinful desire, God uses the monarchy in Israel to bring glory to Him (Romans 8.28-29). God will use this beginning, this institution, to bring the one true King, Jesus. Who is of the tribe of Judah (Jacob prophesied that kings would come from the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49.10) and whose name is Jesus.

Even though it had a bad beginning, God still used it for His glory and for His kingdom. Sometimes we start things due to our sinful nature. God doesn’t promise that He will bring good because of our sin but that He will be glorified through all things. What have we begun that needs to be turned for His glory?

A lot to pray over today.

1 Samuel 5-7

Samuel begins his role as the spiritual leader of Israel in a context of war, defeat, and embarrassment as we saw these last two days.

The reading for today, chapters 5-7 offers a glimpse into the humor of God. In Deuteronomy 28.27 God speaks of ulcers or hemorrhoids as a plague for those from the nation of Israel who rebel against Him. Here it is a curse brought on by God against those who stood against Him. The Philistines were afflicted with hemorrhoids as long as they held onto the Ark. Chapter five shows the inability of man to understand the difference between a living God and a manmade idol (read Jeremiah 10). Their idol, Dagon-a fish, fell over the first night and they picked-up the statue and place it where it belonged. The next night, the idol fell and broke with its head and hands severed, they again replaced it. After this, fear spreads in Ashdod. They then shipped the Ark to varied Philistine cities. Wherever the Ark went, the plagues followed. The people lived in fear of what might happen yet held on to their idols.

What are we holding on to even though it is evident it is worthless and powerless to help and actually stunts our growth? Could it be an actual idol made of stone? Ideas? Beliefs about God that are not true? Beliefs about ourselves that are not accurate?

Chapter six tells us this went on for seven months. The spiritual leaders of the Philistines decide to send the Ark back home. They place the Ark on an ox cart and the Spirit leads the Ark back to Shiloh. They include items that represented the judgment on the cart too. Golden mice and hemorrhoids. Chapter five excludes the mice. It doesn’t mean that they were not there, it means that chapter five didn’t mention them. Each city makes a golden mouse and a hemorrhoid. Five of each were included with the Ark.

The Philistines knew the history of Israel in Egypt and realized how great Israel’s God is and they did not want to live under His judgment. They hedge their bets in this chapter. If the cows that were yoked to the cart went toward Israel then the judgment was from God, if not then chance happened. Chance is not a biblical word. God is in control of all things or else He is not God. What area of your life do you attribute to “chance” and are not giving God His sovereign due? How well do you know your spiritual heritage from the Scriptures and your family?

Back to the story, the cart and cows head straight to Israel, to the city of Beth-Shemesh. The priests in this city slaughtered the cows for sacrifice to the Lord that day and the Philistines returned home realizing that the God of Israel is truly powerful.

It seems internal strife raged as the inhabitants of Beth-Shemesh were slaughtered by the city of Kiriath-jearim. The Ark was placed in the latter city for 20 years. Israel mourned this even though the Ark was in an Israelite city with a Levite in charge of it.

Samuel is introduced in chapter seven as a judge. He is the last judge of Israel, as we will see in the next chapter. All his days were successful because he leaned on God for help in all situations. Not all was pleasant but all was successful because he was faithful to God (1 Corinthians 4.1–2). He judged/ruled as a circuit judge. Looking at a map, we see that these four cities are in an east-west position in central Israel (think Samaria) just above the Dead Sea and Jerusalem (see the map).

The name of the stone is interesting. It is “Ebenezer,” which means the “Stone of Help.” It also refers to the place from which we will not back down. Where in your life have you decided not to back down?

How have you shown yourself faithful? Remember, it is not accomplishing goals or achieving accolades, it is being faithful through good and bad times to what He has called you to accomplish.

1 Samuel 1-2

The book of 1 Samuel is a continuation of the book of Judges with Samuel being the last and greatest judge. There are few others as venerated in Israel as is Samuel.

The book of 1 Samuel presents great stories involving Samuel, Saul, and David all the while presenting a portrait of the greatness of God.

First Samuel 1 presents us with problem concerning yet another barren woman. She is loved by her husband, despised by the others, and living a life of misery because she is unable to bear children. We think of Sarai and Rachel as examples of this nature.

Her husband loves her, even though she is barren. She continually goes to the house of God at Shiloh seeking an answer to her prayer. One time she is in the house of God and she is weeping so hard that Eli, the priest, thinks she has been drinking and is drunk. He reprimands her. All through this story Hannah is being reprimanded by her husband, his wives, and, now the one who is to support her in her time of need, the priest. Whom do we know like this? How do we react to them?

After noticing she was weeping due to her barrenness, Eli pronounced a blessing of birth to her. She had a son, named him Samuel, raised him as a nazarite (remember Samson), and delivered him to work in the house of God at age twelve (according to Josephus). It was then and there that God called him to be the last judge over Israel.

As you read through 1 Samuel 2.1-10, read through Luke 1:46-55. The prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2 is very similar to the Magnificat sung by Mary in Luke 1:46-55 with regard to the birth of Jesus.

Directly after Hannah’s song, Eli’s wicked sons are introduced. Here their sin was to extort meals from the sacrifices. Later they attempt to offer a sacrifice that God rejected. From these incidents, God will destroy them on the same day.

What are we doing that is offensive to the Lord? Why hasn’t He destroyed us?

The end of chapter 2 sets the stage for the priest who will be faithful and that priest will be Samuel.