Rise Of The KingdomThe Books of I & II Samuel

1 Samuel 1:1 to 3:1a

“Samuel’s Calling”

Announcements

I and II SamuelWeek Date Topic

1 07 Mar 12 Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a

2 14 Mar 12 The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:17

3 21 Mar 12 Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel 8-12

4 28 Mar 12 The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel 13-15

5 04 Apr 12 David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel 16-19

6 11 Apr 12 Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:2

7 18 Apr 12 The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31:13

8 25 Apr 12 David Becomes King: II Samuel 1-6

9 02 May 12 The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel 7-10

10 09 May 12 Senior Blessing

11 16 May 12 David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel 11-14

12 23 May 12 Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a

13 30 May 12 David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-24

Today’s Objectives• Provide historical background and timeline for the

books of I and II Samuel

• Study the socio-economic factors during the period

• Review historical maps of Israel and the region

• Read I Samuel 1:1-20, scan 1:21-2:36, read 3:1-4:1a

• Examine how Hannah turned to God in troubled times

• Consider how Samuel learned to recognize the voice of God and how God chose Samuel

• Sense our own need to speak with God and listen for His response

Historical Background• Samuel named as the primary author

– Nathan of Gad wrote about David’s life (1 Chron 29:29)– Abiathar, high priest, may have wrote later chapters

• Existed as one book until translated into Greek around 300-200 B.C.

• Written between 931 B.C. and 722 B.C. and covered the period from 1080-950 B.C. or 130 years

• Imperialistic void– Hittite and Egyptian empires had fallen more than a century

earlier

– Smaller kingdoms like the Ugarit had disintegrated as well

Historical Background• Transition period in Israel’s history

– Conclusion of a great famine in the land (see Ruth 1:1)– After the exodus, end of the period of the judges, and

beginning of the monarchy – Israel had disintegrated morally, spiritually, and

politically

Overview of the Books of Samuel• I Samuel

– 1-8: History of Samuel’s judgeship– 9-15: Story of Saul’s coronation and early years as

king– 16-30: Stormy relationship between David and Saul– 31: Death of Saul and his sons

• II Samuel– 1-6: David’s rule over the kingdom of Judah– 7-14: David Covenant and subsequent moral failure– 15-19: Absalom’s rebellion– 19-24: David’s return to Jerusalem and final actions

• Historical overview– Samuel’s father was Elkanah

• Zuphite – a Kohathite Levite

• From Ramathaim (or Ramah) – hill country of Ephraim, five miles north of Jerusalem – Samuel’s birth and death place

– Levites had no tribal territory, but received cities

• Family of Elkanah– Two wives, Peninnah and Hannah– Hannah was barren (1:2)– Rivalry existed between the two wives (1:3, 7)– Rivalry peaked during annual treks to Shiloh – While at Shiloh, rivalry brings Hannah to tears (1:7, 8)

Hannah is Childless (1:1-8)

Shiloh• Place where Joshua set up

the tabernacle• Remained for 370 years• Religious center of Israel• Ark remained here until it

fell into the hands of the Philistines

• Destroyed in 1300’s A.D.

• Succession of Christian and Moslem centers of worship

• Site was rediscovered in 1838

Hannah Prays to the Lord (1:9-20)• Care of the Tabernacle

– Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phineas– From the family of Ithamar, Aarons fourth son– Eli lived in a residence adjoining the tabernacle

• Hannah prays– After a meal in Shiloh, she opens up to God (1:9)– Makes a vow to God– If God would give her a son, she would dedicate his life

to Levitical service and make him a Nazrite (1:11)– Hannah presents her petition (1:13)– Eli suspects she is drunk (1:12-13)– Learning her plight, Eli gives her a blessing (1:14-18)

• Family returns to Ramah– Hannah conceives a son (1:19)– Direct answer to Hannah’s prayer– Son was named Samuel (name of God or his name is

God)– The name served as a reminder that God is merciful to

those who call upon him (1:20

Hannah Prays to the Lord (1:9-20)

Samuel Sent to Shiloh (1:21-2:36)• Elkanah and Hannah raise the child

– During annual festivals, Hannah remained behind to care for the young child

– When old enough, Hannah takes Samuel to the temple at Shiloh and offers him in service to God

– Child presented to Eli

• Hannah’s praise for God

• Wickedness of Eli’s son’s contrasted with Samuel– Refusal to discipline Eli’s sons– Growing immorality of Eli’s sons– Grace of God growing in Samuel

• Hannah bore three more sons

God Calls Samuel (3:1-4:1a)• Revelations and visions from God

– In those days, visits by God were rare (3:1)– Samuel was someone in whom God could trust– Samuel in the temple watching over the lamp of God

(3:2-3)– God calls out to Samuel three times, he did not recognize

his voice (3:4-8)– Eli informs Samuel that it was God’s voice and return to

listen (3:8-9)– God commissions Samuel to a prophetic ministry– God’s message of doom to Eli’s family (3:11-12)– Eventually, Eli asks him what God had said (3:15-18)

• All Israel acknowledges Samuel’s calling (3:20-4:1)

Review• Provided an historical background and timeline for

the books of I and II Samuel• Studied the socio-economic factors during the

period• Reviewd historical maps of Israel and the region• Read I Samuel 1:1-20, scanned 1:21-2:36, read 3:1-

4:1a• Examine how Hannah turned to God in troubled

times• Considered how Samuel learned to recognize the

voice of God and how God chose Samuel• Sensed our own need to speak with God and listen

for His response