Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2

Study 6 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2

1. Read the story of 5:1-5 in the light of Je. 10:1-16.  Contrast the idols with the Lord of host. How ought such evidence to influence our fears and our faith?  

2.     Because the ark of the Lord was associated with His law (cf. Dt. 31:9), it was also associated with judgment—as in this passage. Why did such a dire punishment fall on the men of Beth-shemesh, and with what result? Cf. Ex. 19:21; Heb. 12:28, 29; and see Note 2 below.

Notes

1.      5:6, 12; 6:4, 5. The association of tumors and mice suggests and our break of bubonic plague.

2. 6:19. The ark, according to God's command, was to be kept closely covered, when not in the Holy of Holies. Cf. Nu. 4:5, 6, 15, 20.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — 1 Samuel 4:1b-22

Study 5 From the Book of 1 Samuel is:  1 Samuel 4:1b-22

1.      Try to picture what a crushing blow these events were for Israel.  What is he right answer to the question 'Why' in verse 3?

2. The ark was the visible symbol of the Lord's 'glory' or manifested presence (see verses 21, 22).  Why, then did the Israelites'  use of it prove unavailing? In what ways may Christians today make a similar mistake?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a

Study 4 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 3:1-4:1a

1. Notice the expressions used about Samuel in 2:18, 21; 3: 1, 7, 19.  What new thing came into Samuel's life in the experience described in 3:1-14? Why did Samuel have to tell the vision (3:15-18)? Cf. 1 Cor. 9:16.

2. What was lacking in Israel at this time, and what did God do to meet the need?  Do you know places that need similar divine provision? Cf. Jn. 1:6, 7; Lk. 3:2, 3;  Rom. 10:14, 15.

Notes

1.      3:1. In those days there was no prophet regularly active to give the people messages from God; contrast 3:20-4:1a.

2.      3:10. 'The Lord...stood forth': this vivid language is paralleled in Jb. 4:15, 16.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — 1 Samuel 2:12-36. (Read also 3:11-14)

Study 3 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 2:12-36. (Read also 3:11-14)

1. What aspects of the sins of Eli's sons were specially grievous in God's sight? See 2:12, 17, 25, 29; 3:13. What serious warning ought we to take from 2:25, 30 and 3:14?
2. How did Eli fail? Cf. Pr. 29:17; Mt. 10:37. Over against 2:31 and 3:14 set 2:35. What may we learn from all this concerning the ways of God? Cf. 16:1.

Notes

1. Verses 12-17. The misappropriation of Eli's sons ('the men' of verse 17) was twofold. They took what they wanted rather than what was offered them; and they insisted on receiving their raw portion, before the Lord's portion-the fat (Lv. 3:3-5)--was burned upon the altar.                                                                  LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Study 2 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 2:1-11

This Old Testament 'Magnificat' (cf. Lk. 1:46-55) possesses an astonishing range of ideas concerning the Character of God, His dealings with all sorts of men even to the ends of the earth, and the coming of His anointed king.

1. Compare the exaltation of verse 1 with the dejection of 1:6-10. What or who should be the object of our joy? Cf. Pss. 9:1, 2; 5:11, 12; 1 Pet. 1:8.
2. What does Hannah say about (a) God's Character, and (b) the way in which time and again He reverses the lot of men? What will be the final end as described in verses 9, 10? What warning and what encouragement do you take from these truths? Cf. Ps. 2:11, 12.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — 1 Samuel 1Study 1

Study 1 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 1

1. Verses 1-6. List the phrases describing Hannah's distress. Do you find her retaliating against her rival? How did she dispel her grief? Cf. Pss. 62:8; 142:1-3; 1 Pet. 2:23.

2. Account for the change of verse 18b. How can a similar experience be mine? Cf. Mk. 11:24; Jn. 4:50; 1 Jn. 5:15.
3. With verses 26-28 compare Ps. 116:12-14; Ec. 5:4, 5. Do you find all the encouragement you ought in the faithfulness and unforgetfulness of the Lord?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction to 1 Samuel

Study 0 From the Book of 1 Samuel is the Introduction to the Book

The two books of Samuel formed a single work known as “Samuel” in the Hebrew Canon. The Septuagint translators made the division. They grouped 1 and 2 Samuel with the two books of Kings to form the four 'Books of the Kingdoms'. The story is that of the development of the nation from the state described at the end of Judges to the established monarchy under David and the events of David's reign.

The chief religious theme is that Israel are the people of God, who alone is their true Ruler. First, they are rebuked for their decadence and sin by Samuel, who accedes to their demands for a king. But, he warns them fully of the consequences. Saul, the sort of king the people wanted, is anointed at God's command and his history proves the danger to the nation of a self-willed leader. 

Finally, David is appointed and leads the people with the one aim of pursuing the will of God, until in his turn he falls into sin. The incidental events are all evidences of the inherent sinfulness of the natural man and proof of the enabling power of God granted to those who go forward in faith, as Samuel and David did. The underlying history is a continuation of that of the Pentateuch and Judges, with the theme 'a people for my name'