Announcements Open forum this Wednesday?

Roles of women in the Bible Topic(s) of your choice

Extra Credit – if you are currently in the D or F range and want to improve your grade You must come and see me in this regard this week It involves a project that requires consistent work from

now until the end of the term Please do not ask in November or December if you can

do extra credit if you have not availed yourself of this opportunity

Review question # 1 21. What spiritual “cycle” characterized

the period of the Judges? A. sin, sloth, sleaze, supplication, surrender B. apathy, attack, arrest, alienation C. apostasy, oppression, repentance,

deliverance, repetition D. apostasy, heresy, apathy, enthusiasm,

repetition

And the answer is… A. sin, sloth, sleaze, supplication, surrender B. apathy, attack, arrest, alienation C. apostasy, oppression, repentance,

deliverance, repetition D. apostasy, heresy, apathy, enthusiasm,

repetition

Review Question # 2 22. The incidents at the end of the book of

Judges are interspersed with the saying A. “There was no king in Israel and everyone did

what was right in his own eyes” B. “It is time to build the Temple and atone for

wickedness” C. “The ark of the covenant will be lost forever” D. “The Lord helps those who help themselves” E. None of the above

And…. A. “There was no king in Israel and

everyone did what was right in his own eyes”

B. “It is time to build the Temple and atone for wickedness”

C. “The ark of the covenant will be lost forever”

D. “The Lord helps those who help themselves”

E. None of the above

Transition to the Monarchy:The Work of Samuel

Saul as King

Moving Ahead to the Geo-political Situation surrounding 1 Samuel Problems from the period of the judges continued Neighboring people created problems: Philistines (five

cities on coastal plain) controlled production of iron (1 Sam 13:19) and had almost overrun the land multiple times (1 Sam 13-14; 17; 28-31)

Ammonites were Saul’s first combat experience Amalekites – a cause of Saul’s disobedience Moab and Edom Israelite settlements were primarily in the hill country

The Five Philistine Cities On or near the coast

Gaza Ashkelon Ashdod

Inland Gath Ekron

Philistine Threats

1 Sam 13-14 – Central Benjamin Plateau - Jonathan

1 Sam 17 – Elah Valley – David and Goliath

1 Sam 28-31 – Jezreel Valley – death of Saul

Transition figure: Samuel Birth – Samuel was a Levite (I Chr 6:33-38)

living in the region of Ephraim motif of barren mother Hannah’s vow to dedicate Samuel as a Nazirite Hannah’s song

Samuel’s call in the Tabernacle – at Shiloh His service as prophet, priest, judge (3:20;

7:15-17)

Hill Country near Shiloh

Abuses of religious power and symbols: The ark at Shiloh The problems with Eli and his sons – abuses of

God’s sanctuary The significance of the ark

united the tribes until its capture symbol of the Presence of God

Sanctity of the ark violated Israelites took it out to battle its capture by the Philistines

Return of the ark

The Capture and Return of the Ark

Looking west toward Gath

The Soreq Valley from Beth Shemesh

Israel’s request for a king Samuel’s sons were dishonest judges All the nations round about had kings Samuel’s challenge

God’s deliverance at Exodus and by means of Judges

The folly of asking for a king demonstrated by miracle

Samuel’s exhortation and commitment to pray

The Tragic King - Saul Why did God first choose Saul? Double confirmation as king

Anointed by Samuel The saga of the lost donkeys The Lord told Samuel this was the person to anoint Samuel gave Saul three signs – one was his ability to

prophesy And the Lord changed Saul’s heart

Selected by lot – the public demonstration Initial success and confirmation

Saul’s Character Flaws Impatient, rash, disobedient Offered sacrifices at Gilgal

Philistines were at Geba and Michmash Saul and the army at Gilgal waiting for Samuel

Bound the army under an oath and almost lost Jonathan Jonathan’s raid on the Philistine outpost Note again the binding nature of the oath – even when it was

broken in innocence Did not destroy the Amalekites

Reason for total the command (Deut 25) Saul’s disobedience and cover-up The condemnation (verses 22-23)