23 1. Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21. Samuel Represents Both A

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

LESSON 10: THE MONARCHY: SAMUEL AND DAVID HEBREWS 11:32C

1. Read 1 Samuel 3:1-21. Samuel represents both a high point and the end of the period of the judges. He was a faithful man, God’s choice to replace Eli and his corrupt household. But Samuel and his sons served as the last judges (1 Sam. 7:3-8:3), because Israel was clamoring for a king. Samuel anointed first Saul and then David to kingship (10:1; 16:13), marking the transition to a new form of leadership—now God would no longer reign over his people directly, but they would reign over themselves, like the other nations (8:4-22). a. Chapter 3 presents Samuel’s call narrative. Like Samson, Samuel had a special calling since birth. His mother, Hannah, was barren, so Samuel was an answer to her prayers (1:19-20). In thanks, she devoted her son to God (1:11, 21-28), so Samuel has been raised in the house of the Lord under the guidance of the priest Eli (2:18-21). • What does verse 1 tell us about the spiritual condition of Israel and its leaders at this time? (See also 2:11-36.)

• We know that Eli’s sons are not obeying God, but what impression do you get of Eli (in chaps. 1-3)? b. The first part of Samuel’s name is related to the verb for “hear.” God has heard Hannah (1:13) and her request (1:20) by answering prayer; now the answer to that prayer hears from God. • What role does hearing or listening (as well as speaking) play in chapter 3? (See also 2:22-25.)

• What does all of this tell us about God, Samuel, and Eli? c. What faith and courage are required of Samuel in this scene?

• How is the end of the chapter (vv. 19-21) different from the beginning (v. 1), and what does that tell us about Samuel’s relationship with God?

• What do you think Samuel learned from his mentor Eli?

• What can we, in turn, learn from Samuel and his relationship with God?

2. Read 1 Samuel 17:12-51. When Israel calls for a king, God fulfills their request by selecting Saul. But when he loses God’s favor due to his disobedience, God chooses another king: David. One of the young David’s classic moments of triumph is his defeat of Goliath. Long before he came to the throne and built up his kingdom, David was a humble young man with the courage and bravado to believe that with God’s help he could take down giants. a. David’s feat stands out, and is celebrated, because of his contrast to the mighty Goliath and the fear of the Israelite mighty men. Goliath is described in verses 4-7 as really big and really well outfitted for battle. • How do the Israelites respond to Goliath and his challenge? (See vv. 11, 24-25.) Why do you think David has a different response? (See vv. 26, 32-37.)

• Another point of contrast in the story is between David and his brothers. How does David fit into the family, and how do his brothers and father treat him? How does David come across differently than his brothers? b. Another layer to this story is David’s interaction with Saul. The contrast between the present and future kings is illustrated when David puts on Saul’s armor (vv. 38-40). How does David come across as different from Saul in this story? What traits does David show here, and what experiences does he gain, that will benefit him as king?

Running the Race with Perseverance Amy M. Donaldson

• When David takes off the armor (v. 39), his contrast with Goliath is complete: Goliath is huge and well-girded; David is humble and bare. David vocalizes their contrast with his brazen words to Goliath (vv. 45-47). What is the basis of the confidence that David voices? Why do you think David is so confident that God will give him the victory over Goliath in this way? c. In our culture, “David vs. Goliath” has become a catch phrase for any showdown between an underdog and a dominant opponent. Why do you think this story has such a wide and lasting appeal, even to people unfamiliar with the Bible? What lessons does this story teach about strength and might?

• What can we learn from David’s courage and faith in this story?

3. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-25. If David’s triumph over Goliath is one of his high points, David’s defeat by his own impulses and power is one of his lowest points. David abuses the power of his position to take Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and then David sends Uriah to his death to cover David’s sin. God sends the prophet Nathan to call out David, and David repents (see Ps. 51), but there are still consequences for his sin, as well as redemption and blessing for his repentance. Although David remains the exemplar for all Israelite kings and God remains faithful to his covenant with David’s house, David’s sin is the turning point that marks the downward spiral of his household. a. Nathan’s parable (vv. 1-6) highlights the contrast between the young David as we met him in his encounter with Goliath and David as he is now. How does King David of this chapter compare with David the shepherd boy?

• How does this parable parallel David’s current situation? Why is this strategy such an effective way for Nathan to call out David’s sin?

• What does David learn about God’s anger (vv. 7-12) by first feeling his own anger (vv. 5-6) at Nathan’s account? b. Nathan’s words against David contain both mercy and judgment: God will not kill David or take the throne from him (see 2 Sam. 7), but there will be lasting consequences for David and his entire household. • What examples of humility and repentance do we see in David’s response? (See vv. 16-19.)

• How is God’s provision of another child (vv. 24-25) both an act of forgiveness and a blessing? c. David is celebrated as Israel’s greatest king, and the model for the king that the Messiah was expected to be. • What lessons can we learn from David, both his successes and his failures? What are ways that we can identify with David’s shortcomings and his humanity?

• What does David’s story tell us about God’s faithfulness and God’s forgiveness?

Bringing It Home: Samuel heard from God in an audible way, but this is not the way in which we always experience “hearing from” God. What are ways in which God speaks to you, or has spoken to you in the past? How can we listen attentively to what God is trying to communicate to us?

For Further Reading: cautions about monarchy (Deut. 17:14-20; 1 Sam. 8:10-18); hearing God’s voice (1 Kings 19:1-14; Ps. 95); Saul’s disobedience (1 Sam. 13:2-15; 15:1-35); David’s anointing (1 Sam. 16:1-13); God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7:1-17; Ps. 132); confession & repentance (Ps. 51; Joel 2:12-17; 1 John 1:8-9); David and the Messiah (Isa. 9:2-7; 16:1-5; 55:1-5; Matt. 21:1-11; Acts 2:22-36)