1 & 2 Samuel

Question 1

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

Answer 1

FROM a theocracy (a time when Israel was a loosely organized tribal league under the leadership of God),
TO a monarchy (a time when Israel had it’s own king).

Question 2

The main problems facing Israel in 1 Samuel were? (2)

Answer 2

1) How would they present a unified front against their enemies?
2) Who would govern Israel after Samuel since his son’s were not following his ways?

Question 3

What was the answer to the problems faced in 1 Samuel?

Answer 3

to establish a king.

Question 4

When was 1 and 2 Samuel written?

Answer 4

1 and 2 Samuel (in the Hebrew version comprise one book) came into their final form sometime after the division of the Kingdom into northern Israel and Southern Judea around 930 BC.

Question 5

Who are The Three Main Characters in Samuel?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Extra Credit: 1 Samuel 13:14 (kingdom will not endure)

Answer 6

“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 7

What is important about Samuel in the books of Samuel?

Answer 7

Samuel begins to function as the last judge

Question 8

Why does Israel want a king?

Answer 8

They want to be like other nations 8:5-20.

Question 9

Why is Hannah a hero in the Bible?

Answer 9

because she had an incredible faith and courage to finish the task she started.

Question 10

What is important about The Sin of Eli the Priest?

Answer 10

God confronting Eli about his sons is another example in Scripture that spiritual leadership carries a greater responsibility.

Question 11

The text of the ark narrative focuses on? (3)

Answer 11

1) God’s Power and Authority:
2) God’s Glory:
3) God’s Holiness:

Question 12

What was the motivation of the people for having a king?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What does 1 and 2 Samuel show us about the testing of faith?

Answer 13

As we see from all of Scripture, the testing of everyone’s faith is the norm rather than the exception.

Question 14

What was Saul’s sin?

Answer 14

Saul’s sin was disobedience to God by acting on his fears of men instead of acting on faith in God.

Question 15

What are Some key lessons in the story of David and Goliath? (3)

Answer 15

1) David’s motives are question by his brothers (17:28).
2) It is not unusual, when you set out to do great things for God, for some of your own brothers and sisters in Christ to condemn you as self-seeking.
3) David sees, and focuses upon, the spiritual reality while others see, and focus on, only the physical reality.

Question 16

How long is Ish-Bosheth king over Israel?

Answer 16

Ish-Bosheth is King for 2 years over Israel (every other tribe but Judea) before the power struggle is over and David rules over all Judea and Israel

Question 17

What were 4 major points to the covenant between God and David?

Answer 17

1. God Himself would establish David’s house forever.
2. God would raise up one of David’s sons who would build the temple.
3. God would establish a Father-Son relationship with David’s descendants.
4. While God would discipline David’s descendants, He would never remove his love from David’s line as he had from Saul.

Question 18

What are Two Important Aspects of the Davidic Covenant?

Answer 18

1) It is UNCONDITIONAL: God does not place any conditions upon its fulfillment.
2) It is MESSANIC: These covenant promises are a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and also why the Messiah was later called the “Son of David”.

Question 19

What does the story of Mephibosheth reveal about the heart of King David?

Answer 19

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 20

What are three lesson we learn from David’s sins?

Answer 20

1) God does not show favoritism.
2) 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.
3) As God honored the judgment of David when he condemned “the man” so David was judged by that same standard.

Question 21

What did the counting of the fighting men show us?

Answer 21

David’s order to count the fighting men may have demonstrated that he trusted in the numbers more than in the power , providence, and goodness of God.