The Genesis To Revelation Bible Course
By WILLIAM M. GROOM, Th.M., D.D.
Lesson No. 10 – 1 Samuel
COPYRIGHT, 1921 BY THE BIBLE STUDY PUBLISHING CO.
The book of 1 Samuel
* KEY VERSE–1Sa 8:5.
* KEY PHRASE–“A KINGDOM FOR GOD.”
All of First Samuel or:
* Sunday–Ark brought back, 1Sa 7:1-8.
* Monday–Saul Anointed, 1Sa 10:1-7.
* Tuesday–Samuel’s Stewardship, 1Sa 12:25.
* Wednesday–Satire self-will, 1Sa 13:1-10.
* Thursday–David’s Victory, 1Sa 17:31-51.
* Friday–Jonathan and David, 1Sa 18:1-14.
* Saturday–Jonathan protects David 1Sa 20:1-24.
NAME–The two books of Samuel constitute one story and receive their name from Samuel because he is the prominent figure and author of the first few chapters.
AUTHOR–Samuel of the first 24 chapters, and the prophets Nathan and Gad of the remainder. The writing was concluded soon after Solomon’s death about 940 B. C. Events cover a period from 1100-1017 B.C., or 83 years.
PURPOSE–To give the history of Israel under the last two Judges–Eli and Samuel, and under their first king, Saul, and to show why the government was changed to a monarchy.
Great Men, I. Eli.
The book opens with Eli as both Judge and priest, the first time the offices had been combined in the history of Israel. He Judged the people for 40 years. His sons Hophni and Phinehas, also priests, acted so outrageously, that they excited the deepest disgust. Eli did not sternly rebuke, but only gently chided them for their greed and immorality. He was, therefore, warned of the downfall of his house, During the next invasion of the Philistines, the Israelites were badly defeated, the Ark of God was captured and his sons both killed. When Eli learned this news, the shock killed him and he died at the age of 98. He was a good man and full of humility and gentleness, but weak and too indulgent.
LESSON–Indulgent parents are cruel to themselves and to their children. National life is grounded on the development of the life of the family, therefore parents should exercise due restraint over their children, and children should submit to the restraint of their parents. This will produce industry, virtue, contentment, and success, in the individual life and in the nation. Ex 20:12.
Great Men II. Samuel.
1Sa 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 1Sa 9; 1Sa 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 1 Samuel 15; 1Sa 16.
Samuel, a descendant of Levi, was born at Ramah in answer to prayer and was consecrated to God by his mother. He was the last of the judges and first of the prophets. He was upright and fearless in his administration, was the founder of the school of the prophets and of the monarchy. He is one of the noblest figures in the Old Testament, whose private and public record was not marred by one unworthy act. Moses under God was the founder of the Theocracy Samuel was the founder of the Monarchy.
God had intended that Israel should become a great nation under His own immediate reign, but Israel wanted to be like the nations around them and have an earthly king. The evil conduct of Samuel’s sons, who were deputy judges, encouraged this ambition. Samuel convened the nation at Mizpah. The Ark is returned to Israel after 20 years. Saul is proclaimed king, and Samuel gives an account of his administration and charges the people to fear the Lord.
LESSON–Samuel’s exalted character was due to his being established in religious principles in early life. He became a model of integrity in office. He never enriched himself nor sought the praise of men.
Let us always choose men for public office who have a like standard of honor and justice.
Great Men III. Saul.
1Sa 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 1 Samuel 14; 1Sa 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 1 Samuel 20; 1Sa 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 1 Samuel 26; 1Sa 27; 28; 29; 30; 31.
It was prophesied in De 17:14-20, that Israel should have a king. God, however, did not intend him to be an autocratic but a theocratic king, acting always under divine guidance. Saul, to Israel,
was a man after Israel’s own heart, so after Samuel had anointed him privately, he was accepted publicly. He was a tall, brave, modest man and made a splendid start. He soon however, manifested much of self-will, for he intruded on the priest’s office and disobediently spared the spoils of the Amalekites, and therefore was rejected of God.
An evil spirit now troubles Saul so that in stubbornness and jealousy he seeks the life of David. In a battle with the Philistines, Saul and his sons were killed. Thus closes under a shadow a life that had a glorious promise.
LESSON–In proportion as a man lives for himself or for God, he becomes weak, sinful and miserable, or strong, holy and happy. Natural qualities must be sanctified for them to be a power for good.
Divine grace when persistently resisted is withdrawn, leaving the soul to be troubled by an evil spirit. When grace is humbly and faithfully received, it is followed by more grace. Think of the end of Saul and be wise! Think of the end of Saul of Tarsus and be happy.
Great Men IV. Jonathan.
1Sa 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 1 Samuel 19; 1Sa 20.
Jonathan was the eldest son of Saul, and his father’s right hand in all his battles. With only an armour-bearer, Jonathan surprised a Philistine outpost at Gibeah which led to complete victory for Israel. However, he came near being put to death by his father for eating before evening against an edict of the king, Jonathan is best known for his devoted friendship with David, which led him, not only to take David’s part against Saul, but also made him willing to surrender his own claim to the throne of Israel. In the battle with the Philistines he fell with his father.
Jonathan was one of the finest spirits who ever lived. So brave and unselfish and such a friend to David, that he is one of the knights of chivalry that we should all imitate. David and Jonathan were one in love of virtue and the fear of God. It is natural for men to set up social ties, but in real friendship there must be a complete union of feeling on all subjects, accompanied by appreciation and affection.
David’s life will be considered in the next lesson.
Questions on the Lesson.
1. Why did the book receive its name?
2. Who were the authors, when written, how many years covered?
3. What the purpose?
4. Give the key word and key verse.
5. Name the great characters of the book.
6. What was Eli’s fault?
7. Tell how indulgent parents are acting unwisely.
8. What does parental restraint produce?
9. How much of the book did you read last week?
10. Did God intend that Israel should have a king?
11. In what way was Samuel a model for public men?
12. Tell what you know about Saul.
13. What lessons do we learn from life?
14. Tell what you know about Jonathan.
15. What must there be in real friend ship?
16. Why should we imitate him?
87 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. 22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
1 Samuel 8:7-22 KJV