K.E.Y. Bible Study K.E.Y. Bible Study is a systematic study of Scripture that equips participants to become acquainted with major Bible truths over a 5-year period. Each lesson is self-contained which means you can join in the study at any time during the 5 years. Purpose: To teach the most significant events, passages, and doctrines of the Bible in a manner and using methods which encourage and empowers the students: To KEEP THE FAITH that we have received Be EQUIPPED to serve the body of Christ Become YOKED in ministry with other believers Samuel: A Reverse Adoption 1 Samuel 1-3 February 11, 2015 Background The book of I Samuel is a transitional book in the Old Testament. Samuel was the bridge between the time of the judges and the monarchy. He was the last of the informal line of judges who governed Israel, and he chose the first King of Israel. The life of Samuel helps us understand that God works through flawed, imperfect, and sinful people to accomplish redemption. Samuel was one of the better Judges; however, he never fully met the people’s expectations. Although it was not God’s perfect will for them, the people wanted a king. The system of judges that God used to govern Israel did not fail entirely because of the bad performance by the judges. It also failed because of the rebellious hearts of the people. Samuel was created, called, and commissioned to serve God, and he did; yet, the people were not satisfied. The Bible does place a heavy responsibility on leaders, but it also holds the people responsible for their actions and attitudes. The concept of “the priesthood of the believer” is introduced in the Old Testament and more fully developed in the New Testament. WHO God: As is the case in every book of the Bible, God is the central character. In the books of I and II Samuel, we read how God works both in the lives of individuals and in society. In I Samuel 3:1 we read, “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” God was not absent. The people lived with the intentional awareness of God. The “word of God” is similar to experiencing God. The "word of God" (which is the same concept as that in John 1) is more than the words of God. Elkanah was the father of Samuel. His introduction is very similar to the description of Samson’s father. Both Samson and Samuel were Nazirites. His compassionate actions toward his wife are rare in the Old Testament. This does K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015) Dawson Family of Faith Gary Fenton K.E.Y. Bible Study not mean there were no compassionate husbands in the Old Testament, but it was not valued as a virtue in that century. Elkanah was probably a wealthy man for he is the only commoner in the books of Samuel and Kings of whom it is said that he had more than one wife. Hannah was Samuel’s mother. Prior to Hannah, the faith of the women is rarely mentioned. In this story, Hannah’s faith is emphasized more than her husband’s faith. She appears to be the spiritual leader in the home. It is important to note that both God and her husband are described as being interested in her feelings. Samuel was the promised child to Hannah and Elkanah. While miracle birth stories are not that unusual in the Old Testament, most of them occur in the direct line of the descendants of Abraham. Eli was a judge and priest. These two roles were often merged at this time in Israel. The judge had political authority and the priest had religious authority. Although he is most remembered for his bad parenting, he was a good father figure for Samuel. Hophni and Phineas were Eli’s “bad boys.” They inherited the role of priest. In the Old Testament, there was no “called” priesthood. God’s call was for the group or tribe of priests and was passed down generationally. Prophets were called and operated out of passion. Prophet and priest were two very distinct functions. Priests, because of inheriting the position, often felt entitled. Entitlement always brings spiritual and material corruption. In the New Testament, the division of the roles is minimized. Since the Reformation, these roles had been fully combined in the institutional church with the role of the prophet being neglected. WHEN Samuel was born around 1125 B.C. and died about 1050 B.C. This time period coincides with the decline of the Assyrian Empire. WHERE Samuel was born about 25 miles north of Jerusalem at Ramah, and then moved to Shiloh approximately 16 miles to the east. Ramah is probably the same town as Arimathea in Matthew 27. K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015) Dawson Family of Faith Gary Fenton K.E.Y. Bible Study WHAT HAPPENED I Samuel 1:1-8 Hannah was miserable because she was childless. In the ancient Near East, not having an heir meant the end of one’s house. It was common for a well-to-do man to take a second wife if the first bore him no children. Hannah is the central figure of chapter 1, and her name means, “favor with God.” Hannah not only carries the burden of being childless, but she is also ridiculed by her husband’s other wife, reminiscent of Abraham’s wife Sarah being ridiculed by Hagar and the competition between Rachel and Leah. Elkanah attempted to comfort her, but his actions were apparently perceived as pity rather than sympathy. I Samuel 1:9-16 Hannah made a scene and a vow at Shiloh. The Ark of the Covenant, which was symbolic of the presence of God, was located at Shiloh. The people were expected to make three offerings a year at Shiloh. When people came to Shiloh, they would bring their newborn infants, and they would be introduced to the larger community. Going to Shiloh would have been very difficult for a childless wife. Hannah promised that if God would give her a son, she would raise him as a Nazirite. The key vows of the Nazirites are: • Make a formal swearing of an oath of service to God. (Numbers 6:2) • Abstain from drinking wine and fermented liquor, including vinegar derived from either wine or any fermented liquor, and abstains from eating grapes, fresh or dried, or eat anything that comes from the vine. (Numbers 6:3-4) • Let his hair grow uncut for the length of the vow. (Numbers 6:5) • For the entire period of the vow, he must not come in contact with a corpse. He was to remain ritually clean and cannot defile his ritual cleanliness even in the event a parent or sibling dies. (Numbers 6:7) I Samuel 1:17-18 Eli blessed Hannah. The priest blessed Hannah by stating his desire for her prayer to be answered. This is similar to the New Testament concept of agreeing together in prayer. I Samuel 1:19-28 Hannah had a son and honored her vow. Hannah took Samuel to Eli, the priest, at about three years old. God would later give Hannah three sons and two daughters. K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015) Dawson Family of Faith Gary Fenton K.E.Y. Bible Study I Samuel 2:1-10 These verses make up the “Hannalujah” Chorus.” Hannah composed a poem honoring God for providing a son. Some of the verses are directed to her husband and the other wife, who ridiculed her. Even good and faithful people are capable of making petty statements. Hannah was careful to give God the glory and never suggested that by giving her a son God was rewarding her goodness. I Samuel 3:1-14 God directly called Samuel. When Samuel was beginning his teenage years, Samuel heard a prophecy regarding the judgment that will come on Eli’s two wicked sons, Hophni and Phineas. Chapter 2:12-19 describes the sins of the sons, and the fact that Eli’s refused to address the issue of their unfaithful behavior. I Samuel: 3:15-18 Samuel reported to Eli the judgment that would come on his sons and that the priesthood will be removed from his descendants. Although Samuel wanted to spare Eli the news that his sons would die and that he would have no male heirs to be priests, Samuel told Eli what God said. It was very obvious that God had already told Eli, but Eli apparently chose to block it out of his mind. I Samuel 3:19-4:1a God revealed Himself through His word to Samuel. Samuel told the people what God had revealed to him. God’s word came to Israel through Samuel. In some ways, he was prophet, priest, and judge. SUMMARY TRUTH God’s presence and revelation are experienced by those with willing and obedient hearts. K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015) Dawson Family of Faith Gary Fenton .