1 & 2 Samuel

Question 1

Who are the three main characters of 1 & 2 Samuel?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What function does Samuel begin as?

Answer 2

Samuel begins to function as the last judge.

Question 3

What was one of the motives of the people of Israel?

Answer 3

One of the motives of the people of Israel state for wanting a king was that they want to be like other nations.

Question 4

Who is Hannah?

Answer 4

Hannah is a hero of the Bible because she had incredible faith and courage to finish the task she started.

Question 5

God confronting Eli about his sons is another example of what?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

The text of the ark narrative focuses on what?

Answer 6

The text of the ark narrative focuses on the power, authority, glory, and holiness of God

Question 7

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

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What was the norm rather than exception?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

How was Saul’s sin disobedient to God?

Answer 9

Saul’s sin was disobedient to God because he acted on his fears of men instead of acting on faith in God.

Question 10

Who is Ish-Bosheth?

Answer 10

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 11

What were the 4 major points of God’s covenant with David?

Answer 11

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 12

What were the 2 Important aspects of the Davidic Covenant?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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 14

What lessons do we learn from David’s sins?

Answer 14

• 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 15

David’s order to count the fighting men may have demonstrated what?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

CRITICAL THINKING: From Hannah’s story, what would be some basic principles of how to face suffering as people of faith?

Answer 16

• We can’t deal with our own sufferings, so we take them to God.
• God can redeem ugly situations if we respond well to them (Faith)
• Spiritual growth means choosing your pain

1. ) Describe principles concerning how to respond to the doctrine of suffering in the light of Hannah’s story.
2. ) How will you counsel people using the story of Hannah.
3. ) Discern principles from this particular story.