Bible Study

Bible Study

The Rise and Failure of David in 1 and 2 Samuel

David’s Rise (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 10) David’s Failures (2 Samuel 11–20) Eager holy warrior Remains in palace Marries honorably Adultery with Bathsheba Protects Saul’s life Plots Uriah’s death Decisive Indecisive Prayers effective Prayers ineffective Fearless when outnumbered Fearfully takes census Attracts thousands of

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The Fall of Saul and the Rise of David in 1 Samuel

Saul David Holy Spirit removed; evil spirit given (16:14–23) Anointed with Holy Spirit (16:1–13) Jealous and treacherous (ch. 18) Faithful friend (ch. 20) Attempts to kill David (ch. 19) Protects Saul’s life (chs. 24; 26) Failed holy warrior (ch. 15) Mighty holy warrior (ch. 17)

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The Journey of the Ark of the Covenant in 1–2 Samuel

1 Sam. 3:3 The Lord calls to Samuel who is sleeping in the tent of meeting, “where the ark of God was” 1 Samuel 4 Philistines capture the ark (for seven months: 1 Sam. 6:1) 1 Sam. 5:1–7 Philistines bring the ark to Ashdod, setting it

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The Rise of Samuel, Israel’s Last Judge

Decline of Eli’s Sons Rise of Samuel Wickedness of Eli’s sons (1 Sam. 2:12–17) Samuel approved by Eli (1 Sam. 2:18–21) Eli reproves his sons (1 Sam. 2:22–25) Samuel grows in favor (1 Sam. 2:26) Prophecy against Eli and sons (1

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Events of 1–2 Samuel Referenced in the Psalms

1 Samuel Incident Psalm 19:11 David’s house surrounded 59 21:10–11 David seized by Achish 56 21:12–22:1 David escapes from Achish (called Abimelech in Psalm 34 title) 34 22:1 (possibly also 24:3) David in cave 57; 142 22:9–19 Doeg the

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Anarchy without a King: Bookends of Judges 17–21

Micah and the Danite Migration (chs. 17–18) Gibeah’s Deed and Their Punishment (chs. 19–21) Religious Deterioration Moral Deterioration Beginning “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6). “In those days, when there was no king

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Samson’s Ten Feats of Strength and Heroism

Part 1: Three mentions of the “Spirit of the Lord” 1. The killing of the lion 14:5–9 “The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him” (14:6). 2. The killing of 30 Philistines 14:19 “The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him” (14:19). 3. The burning

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Reasons Israel Failed to Take the Promised Land

1. The Canaanites had superior arms and fortifications 1:19 2. Israel was disposed to make alliances with the people of the land 2:1–5 3. Israel sinned and must be punished 2:20–21 4. Yahweh was testing Israel to see if they would be faithful or not

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Cycles of Good and Bad under the Judges (2:11–16:31)

Pattern Outline Othniel Ehud Deborah Gideon Jephthah Samson Apostasy 2:11–13 3:7 3:12a 4:1 6:1a 10:6 13:1a Servitude 2:14–15 3:8 3:12b–14 4:2 6:1b–6a 10:7–9 13:1b Supplication and salvation 2:16–18 3:

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Common Cycle for Each Judge

God’s sending of judges to Israel repeatedly followed a fourfold cycle: 1. apostasy: the Israelites do what is evil in the sight of the Lord; 2. servitude: God allows the nation to be conquered and oppressed by a neighboring nation; 3. supplication: the people cry out to God; and

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The Judges

Judge Reference Tribe Oppressor Period of Oppression Period of Rest Total Length of Time* Othniel 3:7–11 Judah Mesopotamians 8 years (3:8) 40 years (3:11) 48 years Ehud 3:12–30 Benjamin Moabites 18 years (3:14) 80 years (3:30) 98 years Shamgar 3:31 Philistines

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The Covenant Renewal Ceremony at Shechem (Josh. 24:2–27) Compared with Other Ancient Treaties

Element Function Verses preamble introduces the suzerain (i.e., the sovereign) v. 2 historical prologue recounts the suzerain’s past gracious dealings with the vassal (i.e., the subordinate) vv. 2–13 stipulations outlines the vassal’s consequent responsibilities in respect to the suzerain vv. 14–24 written record preserves