Rise Of The Kings The Books of I & II Samuel 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:17 “Samuel’s Calling & The Ark Narratives”

Announcements

I and II Samuel WeekDateTopic 107 Mar 12Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a 214 Mar 12The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7: Mar 12Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel Mar 12The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel Apr 12David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel Apr 12Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:2 718 Apr 12The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31: Apr 12David Becomes King: II Samuel May 12The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel May 12Senior Blessing 1116 May 12David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel May 12Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a 1330 May 12David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-24

Today’s Objectives Review historical background and timeline for the books of I and II Samuel Review historical maps of Israel and the region Read 4:1-11, read 4:12-22, review 5:1-7:1, read 7:2- 17 Review how Samuel learned to recognize the voice of God and how God chose Samuel Examine the disastrous results when Israel attempts to use the ark of the covenant as a good-luck charm Learn to eliminate any sinful barriers between us and God

Historical Background Samuel named as the primary author –Samuel was the 13 th (or 15 th ) judge of Israel –Nathan of Gad wrote about David’s life (1 Chron 29:29) –Abiathar, high priest, may have wrote later chapters Existed as one book until translated into Greek around B.C. Written between 931 B.C. and 722 B.C. and covered the period from B.C. or 130 years Imperialistic void –Hittite and Egyptian empires had fallen more than a century earlier –Smaller kingdoms like the Ugarit had disintegrated as well

Historical Background Transition period in Israel’s history –Conclusion of a great famine in the land (see Ruth 1:1) –After the exodus, end of the period of the judges, and beginning of the monarchy –Israel had disintegrated morally, spiritually, and politically

Israel prepares to meet the Philistines in battle (4:1) –Philistines were “remnants from the coast of Caphtor” –Part of the “Sea Peoples” –Arrived in Canaan during a great migration period Philistine government –Federation of five lords –Each lord controlled one of five principal cities –Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza, and Gath Israel engages the Philistines in battle –At Aphek, Plain of Sharon –Did not consult with God –Israel lost four thousand men (4:2) –Israel brings out the ark (4:3) The Philistines Defeat the Israelites (4:1b-4:11)

Ark enters the battlefield –Phineheas and Hophni accompany the ark (4:4) –Initially brought fear to the Philistines (4:5-8) –Battle continues –Philistines slaughter 30,000 Israelites (4:9-10) –Phineheas and Hophni are killed and the Ark is captured (4:11) –Samuel’s prophecy from 1 Sam 2:34 is fulfilled Philistines Defeat the Israelites (4:1-4:11)

God’s Glory Departs (4:12-22) News of defeat is delivered to Israel –A Benjamite delivers the bad news (4:12-17) Israel fled before the Philistines Israel suffered heavy losses Phineheas and Hophni are dead Ark is captured –Eli is shocked at the news, falls, and then dies (4:18) –Daughter-in-law also dies the same day –Gives birth to a child – Ichabod or “no glory” (4:19-22)

Philistines take ark to Ashodod –God destroys their image of Dagon –God causes tumors and a plague of rats After seven months, the Philistine priests advised the leaders to return the ark, along with a guilt offering Israelites eventually bring it to Kiriath Jearim –Ark could not be returned to Shiloh because it had been destroyed (by the Philistines about 1050 B.C. ) 1 Samuel 5:1-7:1 In Brief

Samuel Sacrifices to the Lord (7:2-9) Ark remains at Kiriath Jearim –After the battle of Aphek in 1104 B.C. until David moved it to Jerusalem in 1003 B.C. Samuel addresses the nation at the age of 33 –Challenges the people of Israel to demonstrate their change of heart (7:3) –Israel complies and abandons worship of Baals and Ashtoreths (7:4) Israel congregates at Mizpah –At a Samuel’s request (7:5-6) –Israel begs Samuel to continue his intercession (7:7-8) –Samuel agrees (7:9)

The Israelites Defeat the Philistines (7:10-17) Samuel offers sacrifices, Philistines attack –God intercedes in a thunderous manner –Led my Samuel, Israel engages the Philistines –Philistines are soundly defeated, do not invade Israel again in Samuel’s lifetime (7:10-11) Israel expresses their gratitude to God –Erecting a monument at Mizpah called “Ebenezer” –Israel had broken the power of the Philistines over other neighboring people (7:13-14) Samuel serves as a judge from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah and Ramah (7:15-17) –Erects a tabernacle in Ramah

Review Reviewed historical background and timeline for the books of I and II Samuel Reviewd historical maps of Israel and the region Read 3:1-21, read 4:1-11, read 4:12-22, review 5:1- 7:1, read 7:2-17 Considered how Samuel learned to recognize the voice of God and how God chose Samuel Examined the disastrous results when Israel attempts to use the ark of the covenant as a good-luck charm Learnd to eliminate any sinful barriers between us and God