1 AND 2 Samuel

Question 1

Why 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

What were the 2 main problems facing Israel at this point in their history (1 Samuel)? 
What did we say in class was the answer?

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?

The answer was to establish a king.

Question 3

When did 1 and 2 Samuel come into their final form? (Both year and historical setting of Israel @ time)

Answer 3

~930BC

sometime after the division of the Kingdom into northern Israel and Southern Judea

Question 4

What do the books of 1 and 2 Samuel describe? From what point of view?

Answer 4

A description of the development of the Monarchy

A prophet’s point of view

Question 5

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

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 recognize as Saul’s successor.

Question 6

Recite 1 Samuel 13:14

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

Recite 1 Samuel 15:22

Answer 7

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 8

Recite 1 Samuel 16:7

Answer 8

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.”

Question 9

Samuel is considered to be the last _______ in Israel.

Answer 9

Judge

Question 10

According to1 Samuel 8:5-20, what did Israel want to be?

Answer 10

They want to be like other nations

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

The text of the ark narrative in 1 Samuel (ch 4-7) focuses on _________________.

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

It is the norm rather than the exception.

Question 16

What was Saul’s sin?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

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

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Name the 2 key lessons we learn from the story of David and Goliath.

Answer 18

1.David’s motives are question by his brothers (17:28).
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.

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Ish-Bosheth

Question 20

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

Answer 20

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 21

Name 2 important aspects of the Davidic Covenant.

Answer 21

1. It is UNCONDITIONAL: God does not place any conditions upon its fulfillment.
2. It is MESSANIC

Question 22

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

Answer 22

These covenant promises are a reference to:

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

Question 23

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

1. Name the descendant
2. Name the father of the descendant
3. Identify how this story reveals the heart of King David

Answer 23

1. Mephibosheth
2. Jonathan
3. 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 24

Name 3 lessons we learn from David’s sins.

Answer 24

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 25

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

Answer 25

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