1 & 2 Samuel

Question 1

Why is 1 Samuel an important transition in Israel’s history?

Answer 1

It changed from a theocracy to a monarchy.

Question 2

What were the 2 main problems facing Israel at this point in their history?

What was the answer to the problems?

Answer 2

How would they present a unified front against their enemies?

Who would govern Israel after Samuel since his son’s were not following his ways?

The answer was to establish a king.

Question 3

When did 1 & 2 Samuel come into their final form?

name the year and the historical setting of Israel at the time

Answer 3

930 BC after the division of the Kingdom into northern Israel and Southern Judea.

Question 4

What do the books of 1 & 2 Samuel describe?

What point of view were they in?

Answer 4

They describe the development of the Monarchy from the prophet’s point of view.

Question 5

Who are the 3 main characters in 1 Samuel and what were their roles?

Answer 5

Samuel - the last judge and first prophet
Saul - the first king of Israel
David - the king-elect, anointed but not yet recognized as Saul’s successor

Question 6

Samuel is considered to be the last ______ in Israel.

Answer 6

Judge

Question 7

According to 1 Samuel 8:5-20, what did Israel want to be?

Answer 7

They wanted to be like other nations.

Question 8

Why is Hannah considered to be a ‘hero’ of the Bible?

Answer 8

She had incredible faith and courage to finish the task that she started.

Question 9

What example of leadership is found in scripture when God confronts Eli about his sons?

Answer 9

Spiritual leadership carries great responsibility.

Question 10

The text of the ark narrative in 1 Samuel (chapters 4-7) focuses on ________?

Answer 10

The power, authority, glory, and holiness of God.

Question 11

What was the people’s motivation for having a king?

Answer 11

They did not want to be unique. They wanted to be like everyone else.

Question 12

What does all of scripture tell us about the testing of everyone’s faith?

Answer 12

It is the norm rather then the exception.

Question 13

What was Saul’s sin?

Answer 13

Disobedience to God by acting on his fears of men instead of acting on faith in God.

Question 14

What lesson do we learn from the story of Jesse’s sons passing in front of Samuel in 1 Samuel 16?

Answer 14

God is neither impressed nor judges by anything outward, but judges solely by what he sees in the heart.

Question 15

What are the 2 key lessons we learn from the story of David and Goliath?

Answer 15

David’s motives are question by his brothers.

David sees, and focuses upon, the spiritual reality while others see, and focus on, only the physical reality.

Question 16

Who is king over Israel for 2 years before David’s Rule?

Answer 16

Ish-Bosheth

Question 17

From 2 Samuel 7:1-13, what are the 4 major points of God’s Covenant with David?

Answer 17

God Himself would establish David’s house forever.

God would raise up one of David’s sons who would build the temple.

God would establish a Father-Son relationship with David’s descendants.

While God would discipline David’s descendants, He would never remove his love from David’s line as he had from Saul.

Question 18

Name 2 important aspects of the Davidic Covenant.

Answer 18

It is Unconditional

It is Messianic

Question 19

The promises found in the Davidic Covenant are a reference to whom?

Answer 19

The Messiah, Jesus Christ, and also why the Messiah was later called the “Son of David”.

Question 20

2 Samuel 9 tells the story of David’s interaction with a descendant of Saul:

• What was his name?
• Who was his father?
• How does this story reveal the heart of King David?

Answer 20

• Mephibosheth
• Jonathan
• David completely trusted in the covenant God had made with him even to the point of permanently bringing a potential rival (Mephibosheth) into his court.

Question 21

Name 3 lessons we learn from David’s sins.

Answer 21

God does not show favoritism.

God’s love and favor is never a shield from the consequences of unholy living. When God’s people (even important leaders in the Church) sin, there are consequences for their sin.

As God honored the judgment of David when he condemned “the man” so David was judged by that same standard.

Question 22

What does David’s order to count his fighting men demonstrate?

Answer 22

That he trusted in the numbers more than in the power, providence, and goodness of God.

Question 23

Quote 1 Samuel 13:14

Answer 23

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”

Question 24

Quote 1 Samuel 15:22

Answer 24

But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Question 25

Quote 1 Samuel 16:7

Answer 25

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”