teaching notes : progress of redemption

Review

Problem Sin == Death (Physical and Separation from God [more on this later])

Promise Great Nation And A Blessing To All Nations People, Law, Land...Waiting for our leader.

The story slows down...

We leave behind the broad historical narrative and return the personal accounts.
We get a close look at a few characters.

1. Samuel Unifies Israel

The Birth of Samuel (1 Sam. 1,2)

As the son of a barren woman, the kid's marked for greatness. (1 Sam 1:5)

Hannah's Prayer / Promise (1 Sam. 1:1-18)
Samuel's Dedication (1 Sam. 1:19-28)
Hannah's Praise and Thanksgiving (1 Sam. 2:1-11)

Samuel - Judge / Prophet (1 Sam. 3 - 7)

Contrast Samuel / Eli's Sons (1 Sam 2:24, 3:13 / 1 Sam. 2:26, 2:35)
Samuel judges all of Israel (1 Sam. 7:15)

Samuel judges all of Israel (1 Sam. 7:15)

Samuel Appoints a King (1 Sam. 9 - 10)

Samuel's sons are dishonest - 8:3

Teaching Notes:

- Theme: Samuel unites the Sons of Israel under his leadership, (transition from judges to monarchy)
- God allows Israel to reject him as king, and appoint an earthly king based on human values
- Read:

Deut. 17:14-15 (foretelling),
Ch. 8:1-4 (request),
1 Sam : 8:5 (like other nations),
8:6-7 (rejection),
8:11-18 (warning),
8:19-20 (people reply),
8:22 (lord's reply)

2. God rejects King Saul

The Burnt Offering (1 Sam. 13)

The Philistenes are attacking Israel with troops "like the sand on the seashore" (13:1-7)
Read 1 Sam 13:8-14

8. Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him. 9. So Saul said, "Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." And he offered the burnt offering. 10. As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. 11. But Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, 12. therefore I said, `Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.' So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering." 13. Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14. "But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

Because of Saul's sacrifice, he is marked as unfit for the throne.

Saul's Perspective? The situation demanded disobedience.

The Amalekites (1 Sam. 15)

- God rejects Saul as King (1 Sam. 15:22-26)
Read 1 Sam 15:1-23

Saul's Perspective? Close is good enough.

3. God prepares David to be king

David Anointed King over Israel (1 Sam. 16:7,13)

- God tells Samuel not to mourn any further for Saul, but to go to the house of Jesse in Ephrathah. (1 Sam. 16:1)
- Samuel anoints David as King in the presence of his brothers.
- Contrast Saul / David - Outward appearance / Inward righteousness (1 Sam. 16:7, 14)

David's Character

Courage: David vs. Goliath (1 Sam. 17)

- David slays Goliath (trusts in God's strength, not his own). Breeds jealousy in Saul.

Patience: David vs. Saul (1 Sam. 24)

- Rocks of the Wild Goats - David spares Saul in the Cave, waits patiently on God's timing and judgement. (1 Sam. 24:9-15)
Read 1 Sam 24 1-15

Death of Saul / Jonathan (1 Sam. 31)

Teaching Notes:

- Read: 1 Sam. 31:1-6 (Tragic End to Saul's life)
- Setting the stage for next week: David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:11,12)

Man is sinful

Saul's sins, while neither immorality nor idolatry (see Judges), show the depravity of mankind.
David and Samuel model righteousness (everyone needs a positive role model).

1 Sam 15:23

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.

Hosea 6:6

For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Micah 6:7,8

Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Negative : 'Everyday' sins, like allowing your worry to influence your obedience or your desire to please people or save the best for yourself, are unacceptable.

We need to be careful to condemn ourselves for our 'little' sins
e.g. being rude to our spouse.
acting out of worry rather than trust
being greedy

Positive : David and Samuel trust God despite circumstances

Samuel consistently delivers the word of God
David obeys, waits, trusts, and shows incredible perspective.

God is in charge

Progress is slow, but coming

From the perspective of an Israelite at the time, things are falling apart

They Get A King (Saul)!
He Blows It!
Things Fall Apart

From the '3rd person omniscient' perspective, things look promising

We see David anointed
We see David show his courage and character
We see Israel prepared for David