Journey Through the Bible Part 9

1 SamuelWaiting For GodBible readings:1 SamuelMatthew

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- Abraham the father of nations

• Leviticus and Numbers: learning to worship and sacrifice for sin.

• Deuteronomy and Joshua: learning to trust and obey.

• Genesis - the Creation and Fall

• Exodus: forming a holy nation.

The journey so far.

Journey so far

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Judges: dark cycle of rebellion, oppression, repentance and restoration

Ruth: faithfulness in the midst of the corruption and darkness of the time of the judges.

First book of Samuel1100 - 1010 BC

• 1 Samuel begins when the nation of Israel is at its lowest point: the Philistines capture the Ark of God.

• During this dark and hopeless time God was already preparing for a rebirth of the nation.

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Samuel - “heard of God”

• Samuel was born in answer to Hannah’s prayer.

• He was dedicated to serving the Lord.

• God called Samuel while he was still young and he answered, “Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.”

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Samuel - “heard of God”

• “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and He let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognised that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there He revealed Himself to Samuel through His word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.” (1 Samuel 3:19–4:1, NIV84)

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Samuel -rebirth of the nation• “Then Samuel said, “Assemble all

Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.” (1 Samuel 7:5–6, NIV84)

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Samuel -rebirth of the nation• “So all the elders of Israel

gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 8:4–6, NIV84)

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Samuel - kingmaker

• “But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”” (1 Samuel 8:19–20, NIV84)

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Samuel - kingmaker• “The Spirit of the Lord will come

upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.” (1 Samuel 10:6, NIV84)

• ““Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”” (1 Samuel 10:8, NIV84)

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God tests Saul• “ Saul remained at Gilgal, and all

the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:7–9, NIV84)

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God tests Saul• ““You acted foolishly,” Samuel said.

“You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after His own Heart and appointed him leader of His people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”” (1 Samuel 13:13–14, NIV84)

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God Chooses David• David rises from a shepherd to a

national hero 1 Samuel 16 - 17

• Saul give Michal his daughter as wife to David.

• Saul knows God has rejected him. He becomes increasingly depressed and jealous of David.

• Saul repeatedly tries to kill David and David runs away to hide in the wilderness.

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God tests David

• “Save me, O God, by Your Name; vindicate me by Your might. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life— men without regard for God. Surely God is my Help; the Lord is the One Who sustains me.” (Psalm 54:1–4, NIV84)

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God tests David

• 1 Samuel 26

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God tests David• “But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can

lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord Himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.” So David took the spear and water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.” (1 Samuel 26:9–12, NIV84)

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The Lord’s promise

• David had been promised the kingship but he resisted the temptation to gain the promise in his own strength.

• The way of righteousness: do what God wants in God’s way and in God’s time.

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