The Book of Samuel 1 -2 Samuel TRANSITION

The Book of Samuel (1 -2 Samuel) TRANSITION: From Loose Confederation of Tribes to Monarchy n From Charismatic Leadership (Endowment with the Spirit of the LORD) to Dynastic Leadership (Kings whose sons will succeed them) n

The Book of Samuel (1 -2 Samuel) Samuel – A Transitional Leader: His Miraculous Birth - Hannah n “The word of the LORD was rare” (3: 1) n His Call from God – Eli n The last of the “judges” and the first of the “prophets” (3: 19 -4: 1 a) n

THE BEGINNING OF THE MONARCHY ON A PERMANENT BASIS The CRISIS: n n The Philistine capture of the Ark of the Covenant The death of Eli Ichabod – the glory has departed The Ark behind enemy lines (Ashdod, Gath, & Ekron) – the god Dagon ISRAEL’S RESPONSE: n 1. 2. 3. 4. The Request for a King (Samuel—last of the judges) Samuel is old Samuel’s sons are evil A king could lead in battle The other nations have a king

The people ask Samuel for a King… Samuel doesn’t like this, so he asks God what he should do… GOD’S RESPONSE TO SAMUEL “it’s not you they have rejected as king… But me!” (1 Samuel 8: 7)

What Will A King Do That I Cannot Do? GOD is a GIVER Life Protection Provisions KING is a TAKER Sons Daughters Property

THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE: But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like the other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles. ” (1 Sam 8: 19 -20) AND GOD REPLIES: Give them a king!

The First Kings of Israel—their character and their tragic flaw • Saul—the rustic king • David—the warrior and shrewd politician who founded a dynasty • Solomon—the “enlightened” king who led the people back into slavery • Rehoboam—the firm-fisted king who led to the division

SAUL’S ASCENSION n Saul hails from the tribe of Samuel Benjamin (the smallest tribe of Israel) anoints Saul n Saul responds with deep humility and a sense of as King inadequacy (9: 21) at Mizpah n The Spirit of the Lord he comes upon Saul, and 1 Samuel 9 -10 prophesies … n A Good Beginning – and military victories

SAUL—the Rustic King n No taxes n No military draft n No building projects n No international trade n No harem Saul is more like a judge than a king

SAUL’S DECLINE n POLITICALLY… he never “fit” With the generation before him (Samuel) n With the generation after him (David) n n RELIGIOUSLY… he took himself too seriously Offered his own sacrifice before battle against the Philistines n Took the spoils of war for himself in a battle with the Amalekites n

Squeezed out politically…and taking himself too seriously… SAUL’S LIFE ENDS AT GILBOA

DAVID—the shepherd King Saul is rejected as king – the search for a king who would be “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13: 14) Samuel anoints David, son of Jesse as king (1 Samuel 16) David and Goliath – the uncircumcised Philistine who defied the armies of the living God (1

DAVID—the shrewd politician Befriends Jonathan, Saul’s son, and marries Michal, Saul’s daughter Ishbosheth (Ishbaal), Abner, and Joab Becomes a military hero of his own tribe, Judah Conquers the neutral territory of Jebus and establishes this city as his capital Brings the Ark of the Covenant to his new capital – the city of David –

DAVID—the King of Israel God establishes David’s dynasty (house) forever (2 Samuel 7) David: “I want to build you a house (temple)” GOD: “Why do I need a house… what house could ever contain me? No, I will build you a house (Hebrew word: bayit) – a dynasty that will last forever, if you faithfully follow my ways. ”

The Succession Narrative 2 Samuel 9 -1 Kings 2 The Story of the “Unraveling” of David’s Family: Bathsheba, Amnon, Tamar, Absalom / Adonijah / Solomon

SOLOMON—the “modern” but despotic king • Developed literature • Building programs • Wealth for kingdom • Israel became an “international” player

…who took himself too seriously • Taxation • Forced labor • Military draft • Blending religions (syncretism) King Solomon loved many foreign women…Solomon clung to these in love…and his wives turned away his heart…and his heart was not true (shalom) to the LORD his God

Theological Themes – 1&2 Samuel • God is ever looking for people after God’s own heart – people who will love and trust God unreservedly! • God often chooses and uses the most ordinary and least likely people to do extraordinary things. (Examples: Samuel, Saul, David…) • Faith (trust) in God results in victory over giant-sized obstacles… The battle belongs to the LORD!

Theological Themes – 1&2 Samuel • Our life with God (vertical dimension of life) is bound up with our life with others (horizontal dimension of life). • When you go against God’s ways, life spirals downward into brokenness. • God is faithful to forgive and restore. • The future always depends on the promise of God – who continues to make covenant with the people of Israel… in order to bless the world.

Assignments Read Chapters 8 -9 (119 -144) Reading Quiz – Oct 21 (TR), 22 (MWF) Mini-Exam – Oct 25 (MWF), 26 (TR) (Chapters 7 -9, Former Prophets) (50 points, No Portfolio Due)