Introduction to Ruth page 65 Key Text: Ruth 1:16-18 Title: 1. 2. In the OT, the name Ruth 3. Re uth in Hebrew means Author: 1. 2. Traditionally thought to be Date of Writing: 1. c. 2. 1:1 speaks of 3. 4:22 David is Time Span: 1. 2. (1:4; 4:13-16) The Moabites: 1. Descendants of Gen. 19:37 2. Hired Nu. 22 3. Land east 4. Language 5. Deity: (2 Ki 3:27) 6. Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone): 1868 found and then destroyed by inhabitants of Dibon who wanted sought an internal treasure. Tells the story of how Mesha rebelled against Israel and won with the help of Chemosh. (cf 2 Kings 3:4). Theme and Message: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Christ in the Book: 1. The Kinsman-Redeemer 3:9 page 66 2. Ruth is one of four women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ that lists more than one who are non-israelites.
Ruth 1 5 When it rains it pours 1. What made Naomi s life so bitter? 1:20 1:1 page 67 1:3 1:5 2. Who are the main characters of this story? What actions and attitudes should we imitate? 1. 1:7 2. 1:11-13 3. 1:16 4. 1:13, 21 1. 1:16-18 2. 2:2-3 3. 2:7, 17 4. 2:13 5. 4:1-5 1. 2:4 2. 2:9 3. 2:20 cf NIV Study Bible Note. 4. 3:12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 3. Was Ruth being forward? Her morality is never doubted. (3:10 Boaz praises her) 3:4-7 symbolic request to be taken care of. cf Gen. 38:13-30 4. How did Boaz acquire Ruth? He gathered witnesses. He gave first option to a closer relative. The relative took of his sandal as a sign of giving his permission.
Introduction to 1 Samuel page 68 Key Text: 1 Samuel 2:30 Title: 1. Samuel means 2. Although the books are called 1 & 2 Samuel in the modern English and the Hebrew Bibles, they were originally and called in the version. 3. Samuel is the most important of three characters in the book. Author: 1. Probably 1 Chron 29:29 2. Samuel probably wrote the first chapters. Date of Writing: 1. c. B.C. 2. After 3. Brought to final form after the reign of 4. Judah and Israel are already in this book. 1 Sa 27:6 So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. Time Span: 1. From the high priest to the death of. 2. 80 to 90 years. Theme and Message: 1. There are grave to choosing another than God. 2. A good man doesn t always bear 3. God seeks 4. David s (like the Messiah s) kingship is of divine origin.
Christ in the Book: 1. The word is used in the Bible for the first time in 1 Sam. 2:10 page 69 Lk 1:69 2. Samuel is both and. 3. Samuel is a type or figure of the coming Christ.
1 Samuel 1 2: The prayers of a desperate woman 1. What was Hannah s relationship to her husband like? Consider these clues: 1:2 1:4-5 1:6 1:8 3 Application: a. Why do others mock or criticize others? Why do we compare ourselves to other and put others down? b. As hard as you may try, you can never make page 70 2. Compare and contrast the situations and actions of Hannah and Mary the mother of Jesus? Hannah/Samuel Mary/Jesus 3. What would it have felt like to give Samuel up? 4. What traits of God are described in Hannah s prayer? 5. Who is the enemy of 2:1, 3? 6. What was the wickedness of Eli s sons? 2:15 2:17 7. Did Eli share in the guilt of his sons? 2:22 3 Of whom else was this said? cf Ruth 4:15
page 71 2:29 God asks why he - his more than he honors God. 8. What does 2:30-31 mean to you? Can you think of circumstances in your life where this has demonstrated itself to be true? 1 Samuel 3 4: I can hear my savior calling 1. What does God require of those he calls? 3:4 cf. Isa 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 25 times in the Scriptures. 3:10 Application: These are two of the most important attitudes to have in seeking God and his will. 4 Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 2. What was Eli s reaction to the prophecy concerning his family? 1 Sa 3:18 Jews would with God, but they accepted his. Application: In all our questions and doubts concerning the nature of God, the problem of pain and suffering, the destiny of those who never hear the Gospel, we must remember that God, if he is God will do the right thing. Ge 18:25 Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" 3. What misconceptions did the Israelites have toward the ark? 4:3 They treated it like a. As if by having an object with them they would have God s help and blessing. Discussion: Do we carry around any God-luck charms today? Application: God doesn t want to be our good luck charm. Although obedience to his will often brings blessings, immediate rewards are not to be expected. His presence with us is a condition of our obedience and heart condition, not by the cross we carry around our neck or the Bible we tote under our arm. 4. How did Eli die? 4:13 His heart was afraid for the 4:17 He received two pieces of bad news 4:18 4 De 4:29 Pr 8:17 Jer 29:13 Ho 5:6 Mt 7:7 Lu 11:9 Ac 17:27 Re 9:6
1 Samuel 5 7: Works like a charm, not well 1. How was God different than the Canaanite gods? 5:3-4 He showed himself to be non-territorial to animistic people. a. 5:6 Ashdod b. 5:8 Gath c. 5:10 Ekron 6:9 By deduction they concluded that these illnesses and deaths were not 2. What did the 70 do to deserve death? 6:19 In a scene that might have inspired the ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark, they committed. Application: In what ways do we abuse, take lightly or mistreat the sacred today? 3. What did Samuel raise up between Mizpah and Shen? 7:3 He lead the people to get rid of Application: Only when we follow God can we know 7:12 Ebenezer means Application: Raise up and reflect on your life s spiritual landmarks. 1 Samuel 8 10: You asked for it, you got it 1. What did Israel ask for and why? 8:6 8:3 8:5 8:5 Discussion: Is the church changing the world, or is the church being changed by the world? What evidence can you provide to support your convictions? What are some signs of becoming just like the other nations or other churches. Application: The desire to do something of have something because others are doing or having, ought to be our first clue that it is. 2. What warnings did Samuel give concerning the king? 8:10 17 8:19 Application: God allows us to seek security, wealth and health wherever we please. He isn t, however, obligated to pinch hit in emergency situations. 3. Describe the character of Saul? 9:2 impressive physically 9:21 initially humble Application: Don t place limitations on what God can do with you. page 72
10:9 God changed his heart and put his spirit on him. Application: Don t think that just because you are shy that you are exempt from God s service. 10:26 Surrounded by the right people. Application: God provides the right crowd when we ll look for it. 10:27 non vengeful 1 Samuel 11 15: The rise and fall of Saul 1. Use the following chart and Scripture references to chart Saul s performance as king and servant of God: 2. The Rise and Fall of Saul page 73 F a i t h f u l n e s s 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10:22-23 11:6 11:13 13:9 14:8 14:24 14:34 14:35 14:39 14:4614:47-48 15:9 15:12 15:24 Scripture Reference in 1 Samuel Notes:
1 Samuel 16 20 Saul s paranoia 1. What lessons can we learn about Samuel s anointing of David as king? 16:1 page 74 16:4 16:7 Gal 2:6 16:13 Application: Heb 1:9; 1Jo 2:20,27 2. What drastic changes occurred in the life of Saul? 16:14 Discussion: Will the spirit of God ever leave us? a. 1 Cor 6:13-20 b. Eph 4:30 c. Acts 7:51 16:23 18:8, 17 3. What does David teach us in defeating Goliath? 17:11 Application: 17:8-9 17:32-38, 45 Curiosity: Why did David choose 5 smooth stones? 4. How does Jonathan show the meaning of true friendship? 18:1 18:4 20 Application: Are we true friends if we tacitly watch our friends entertain themselves into an eternity of lostness? Gal 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
1 Samuel 21 through 2 Samuel 10: Saul, Ishbosheth and David 1. Important places in this narrative: 5 Bethlehem Gibeah Gath Maon En-Ghedi Ziklag Mt. Gilboa Hebron Jerusalem Judah Benjamin 2. Important people: Prophets: a. b. c. Kings: a. b. c. Generals and military men: a. b. Sons of Zeruiah Priests: a. Ahimelech b. Abiathar Others: a. Doeg the Edomite 22:18 b. Wives of David: c. Uzzah d. Mephibosheth 3. Important events: David spares Saul s life: a. 24:1 ff b. 26:12 25:1 Abigail 28:12 Saul consults 31:5 Saul takes his own 2Sa 1:10 David becomes new king of Judah at Hebron 2:4-5 Kindness of page 75 5 cf NIV Study Bible pp. 411, Maps 2, 5
2:8 Civil war with 2:23 Death of 2:26 Surrender of 3:8 Defection of Abner over a 3:27 Abner killed by 3:35 David takes no pleasure in 4:1-4 Ishbosheth is 5:1 David is made king at Hebron 4. Lessons learned: 1 Sa 21 1 Sa 16 24:12 25:21, 38 1 Sa 28 1 Sa 30:6 2 Sa 6:7 2 Sa 6:16, 22 12 Sa 7:12-13 2 Sa 9 page 76
2 Samuel 11 12: For your eyes only, and getting a grip on guilt 1. What situations or actions contributed to David s adultery? 11:1 11:2 page 77 11:2 S Discussion: Do women share in the guilt for the lustful thoughts of men? Application: Men, learn to. We can t keep the birds from flying over our heads but we can keep them from building nests in our hair. Women, wear what you would if were your date, or what you would want a girl to wear who will date your son some day. 2. At what point did David s actions become sin? James 1:13-15 When tempted, no-one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Matt 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 3. Did Uriah s loyalty increase David s feelings of guilt? Uriah was a foreigner 11:8 David sent a gift to ease the guilt. 4. How would Joab s knowledge of David s murder affect their future relationship? 5. How would David s sin affect his influence in his family? 6. Why did David get so angry with Nathan? 12:5 7. Why was it necessary for Nathan to resort to this kind of story to confront David? What does this tell you about human nature?
8. How did David deal with his guilt? He was confronted. We ought to care enough to correct. Gal. 6:1-2 12:13 12:16 12:20 12:23 12:25 Other Scripture: Consider Psalm 32 and Psalm 51. Discussion: Is it possible to be forgiven and still have to pay the consequences of your actions? Does someone who is truly sorry try to escape the consequences of his/her sin? What were the consequences of David s actions: a. b. c. 2 Samuel 13 20 1. People to remember: Amnon Tamar Jonadab Absalom Enemies of David: a. Ziba? or Mephibosheth b. Ahithophel c. Shimei d. Amasa e. Sheba Allies of David: a. Ittai b. Hushai c. Priests: Ahimaaz, Jonathan, Abiathar, Zadok d. Barzillai 2. Important events: Rape of Tamar Murder of Amnon Exile of Absalom Return of Absalom Seduction of Israel Absalom rebellion Sheba s rebellion page 78
Introduction to 1 & 2 Kings page 79 Key Text: 1 Kings 9:4-7 Title: 1. 2. Author: 1. 2. Traditionally thought to be. Not correct because Jeremiah was carried off to Egypt, and the other of the kings wrote from exile in Babylon. 3. There are some sections similar to. Date of Writing: 1. c. B.C. Time Span: 1. 1 Kings overs about years. 2. From Solomon to Ahaziah of Israel in B.C. 3. 2 Kings ends with the destruction of Jerusalem in B.C. Theme and Message: 1. 2. Christ in the Book: 1. Jesus, in his teaching, made mention of 10:1 (Mt 12:42) (Mt. 6:29) (Lk 4:26) 2. Elijah was a type prefiguring Lk 1:17 Malachi 4:5
1 Kings 1 12: Not even Solomon in all his glory 1. How did Solomon become king? 1:1 Abishag kept David 1:5 Adonijah rallied support for the 1:11 and conspired to have David appoint. 1:32-34 Riding David s donkey and anointed, Solomon was accepted. 2. What did David advise his son to do? 2:4 2:5, 8 Punish: a. he hung on to the altar and was killed by Benaiah b. was put on probation but violated it. 2:7 Show kindness to Barzillai. 3. How wise was Solomon? 3:1 He married the 3:3 He allowed 3:7-9 He asked for a God gave him everything. 3:16 He resolves conflict ex. Story of the two prostitutes. 3:25 4:32 He wrote: cf handouts 5:1 He traded with for and. 6:1 In 966 B.C. he began to build the. 8:27 Note also his prayer for those who seek forgiveness vv 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 44. 10:1 He was visited by the 11:1 He was foolish to a. he did so to seal relationships with foreign governments b. this violated Dt. 17:17 c. Notice the downward spiral of 11:2, 4, 5, 7, 10 d. 11:11 Result: the kingdom would be 11:14 God gave him enemies: Hadad, Rezon and Jeroboam (cf. 11:31-33) 1 Kings 12-16 A house divided 1. How did Rehoboam succeed in dividing the kingdom? 12:4 12:7 12:14-15 2. Things you should know and understand: Israel refers to the northern 10 tribes of Israel. Israel had 19 kings, all of them bad. Israel was defeated and deported in 722 B.C. Judah stood for Judah and Benjamin. Judah had good and bad kings, 20 in all Judah lasted until 586 B.C. Jeroboam was the first king of the north. page 80
Ahab is the most talked about king of the north. Jehu will appear on a monument called the Black Obelisk Hoshea will be the last king of the north. The kings of the south were greatly influenced by their mothers. a. cf 14:21, 15:2 Naamah, Ammonite (1) High places (2) Asherah poles (3) male shrine prostitutes b. cf 15:12 The kingdoms of the area that are growing in power are: a. Aram, Syria b. Assyria c. Babylon The two greatest prophets of this time were: a. Elijah 1 Kings b. Elisha 2 Kings 3. Lessons to be learned: page 81 13:18 17:7-24 a. food from flour and oil b. resurrection of the widow s son. 18:16-46 a. Baal cannot hear, see or speak b. God is a consuming fire 19:1 21 How to deal with depression: a. 19:4 b. 19:5 c. 19:7 d. 19:12 e. 19:14, 18 f. 19:15 22:21