1.&2.Samuel

A crisis of leadership & making of a leader

First impression:                                                              

1.What do I see in this book that’s tells me about the Original Reader

The OR had experienced the division of the nation into northern and southern kingdom in 930, also probably written after the death of Salomon (SVBp.387) so it may have been written in 925 BC. The story in the beginning of 1.Sam about faithful Hannah may as Danielle shared in class is in the beginning of Samuel’s books so that the OR recognizes how people that trust in the Lord are being provided for.

I think as I have read these books that they are written to teach the readers about faithfulness and disobedience in matters concerning the Lord. (SVBp.389)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

2. What do I see in this book that tells me about the author                                                                                                                                    

1 and 2 Samuel books were originally one book. It is thought that Samuel has written the most part, until he died. Some says it is likely that it was the priest Abiathar, who wrote down the rest. Both the first and second Samuel is dated to 931-722 BC(Norwegian Bibelsiden.no)

But no one know for sure who this anonymous writer is. As is it written in the SVB p.343, in 1.Chr. 29.29 we can see that Samuel, Nathan and Gad all kept record of King David’s reign, and that may have been collected to these books afterwards. Or some says it is official court historians may have recorded these events.

3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what else is a one sentence summery of the “main idea”?

1.Samuel: transition of leadership in Israel from judges to kings.

2.samuel: the highlights of David  -both his personal life and as the nations King.                                                                                                     

Important issues to study further is contrast like:

God rises up or God tears down

God’s invisible hand at work

Honoring God or man

Fear of man and fear of God

Leadership -

Humility vs. pride

Eli vs Samuel

Eli vs. his sons

Important lesson God repeats in the books is the guidelines is the Covenant – not the King

( Danielle’slecture)

Contrast and character:

David                                                                Saul –

Repents 2.Sam.12.13, Psalms 51                 Excuses 1.Sam.15

David allows God to exalt him 2.Sam.8.14  Saul cowardly clings to his throne  -

Chosen by God 1.Sam.13.12                           Rejected by God (1.Sam.15.35, 15.11)                                                                                           -Chosen by God

Man after God’s heart .1.Sam.13.14            Man’s kind of king

Sought and followed God .2.Sam 5.23         Sought people’s praise                                                                                                                               

Fear of God                                                     Fear of man 1.Sam.15.24.                                                                                                               

Grew closer to God .1.Sam.30.6                    Separated himself from God

(Quoted from Danielle’s teaching)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

One sentence summary: the book is a history book about Hannah praying for and receiving Samuel, his life and work, the two kings Saul and David, and Jonathan  - And God very important saying: But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me. (1.Sam. 2.30)

4. What is the primary reason for this book was written                                                                                                                                        

These books continue the history-books, telling the people of Israel their story about how faithful God is every time the people repent and that He so strongly longs for his people to only trust in him – not so quickly look to the pagan way of worshipping.

It was interesting in Danielle’s lecture how she showed us how the people of Israel cried out for a political leader, a king as the other nations – and both God and then Samuel (1.Sam. 8.7-22) tries to describe for them, what would happened – but they still want it – and God gives them a King. It also shows how only when they (Saul and David) trust in the Lord do they get victory.

So in a way God shows the OR and us how they really needed a spiritual leader.

David is the most famous King in all Israel history. David Kingdom prospered and life was good as long as he reign and did what was just and right for all his people. 2.Sam.8.15 and He wanted to show the people God’s kindness to them 2.Sam.9.3, Psalm 145p.17

Theme tracing:                                                                                                                                                                                               

5.What does the book show about the character and nature of God?                                                                                                                    

God is the people’s helper 1.Sam.7.12

He anoints His chosen one– and gives them His spirit  - both Saul and David

To Saul it says He gave him a new heart (1.Sam.10.9) – similar in ……

God looks to the heart and recognize faith– the story of Hannah 1.Sam.1.17-18, 1.Sam.16.7

He fight for us 1.sam.17.47

He wants obedience 1.Sam.15.22

As said in “Honors those who honors Him” 1.Sam.2.30

He shows anger, 1.Sam.3.11

He shows His incredible mercy, as an example; to David when he repents – hallelujah!

God knows everything! What is hidden – will be in the open 2.Sam.12. It is interesting how his sons sin in open on a roof (2.Sam. 16.22), where his father saw Bathsheba on a roof, but tried to hid his sexual sin,  - but Nathan said “ You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel”. His sons were in a way only living out the curse God put on David for this. “Sam.12.11.

In NT this is repeated several times like in Mark.4.22.

6.What does this book show about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?                                                                                                            

In 2.Sam 7.4-17 God promises David an eternal kingdom and seed, which is fulfilled in Christ! Matt.21.9, 22.45) NBp. 98

David was a man after God’s heart (1.Sam.13.14)

How again a women with a special history becomes a important person in Jesus family tree – Bathsheba 2.Sam.11.1-5

David is the Old Testament foreshadow of Jesus – I rally liked Mark’s list of similarities with David and Jesus – as born I Bethlehem, did an outstanding event at young age, left by their friends, a man after God heart, in a way “anointed three times both. (There were some more, but it went to quick) 

And I also found another similarity – both is mentioned being on MT of Olives 2.Sam.15.29/ Mark 11.23

Verse 2.Sam.24.16 “ STOP! That’s enough” when God cries out this I think is an echo of God’s father heart when he decided now is the time to send Jesus and set a final to victory over the devil.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Application questions                                                                                                                                                                                 

7.Personal application:                                                                                                                                                                                     

I love the story of Hannah – for many years as a single woman – longing for a husband and family  - I identified so much with here – but was also encourage in her faithfulness and clinging to the Lord.

I also found interest in David father heart – all the emotions that are described in these books in different situations with or around his sons, even when they try to kill him. This would be a subject I would like to dig into sometimes.

In the introduction to the 1.Samuel, it challenges us to ask God to reveal the breadth and depth of His compassion and forgiveness towards me.

It reminded me of these verses in Ephesians 3:17-19 and I will have these verse as a part of my daily prayer this week. (Changes in italics made by me –to make it more personal)

“16. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower me with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 so that Christ may dwell in my hearts through faith. And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

8.Point of passion:

One of the larger newspapers in Norway wrote this, which I quote below in their Editorial - article.

We were so thankful for this wordily support – and showing it is not an easy matter to discuss.

In a way I can see it resembles in the books of Samuel – the people and politicians “cries “ for equal wrights but it is actually I question about life and death, wright and wrong – Gods principles or man’s next best. (Or not best)

“Yes to the reservation right”

“EDITORIAL: The right of physicians is an important recognition of the ethical anguish by affecting life and death.

Published: 20.okt. 2013 7:13 peers 21.okt. 2013 0:55

In 2011 stressed state at the Ministry of Health and Care Services that GPs should not be exempted from the statutory and regulatory duties imposed by conscience.

In government agreement, the Conservatives, Christian Democrats and the Progress Party have agreed on the opposite standpoint. Thus, primary care physicians for the future could refuse to refer for abortions.

The right of doctors is one of today's difficult and controversial questions of values.

Its both what people consider right and wrong for each doctor, how and to what extent the state should regulate doctors' practices, and it fragile relationship between doctor and patient.

The case is far from simple, and important liberal principles stand up against each other.

Our legal access to abortion is a compromise between the interests of unborn life and maternal choice. At the same time, one must recognize that it is not ethically unproblematic to help end a nascent human life. An opportunity to opt out of taking conscience seriously, which is also essential in a liberal democracy.

The weightiest argument against reservation access, the interests of the patient.

A doctor's conviction and disapproval should not complicate the access to rights commitments, public health services. The patient should be met with understanding and respect, regardless of choice. To the extent that the state should intervene in the relationship between doctor and patient, there should be a natural reflex to side with the underdog. But the doctors who have ethical qualms about taking part in the storyline against abortion also constitute a minority to be protected. It is easy to say that the procedure will be carried out anyway, and it does not matter whether or at what time the individual doctor helps. For some, any participation, however, a moral expense, which can be seen as a profession ban.

There is no point to make doctors' professional practice subject to state, moral uniformity, when it is possible to safeguard the interests of patients and ethical diversity of opinion through good, practical arrangements.

It involves a public responsibility to ensure predictability by making information about individual physicians' reservations available and that municipalities provide a medical coverage, which ensures that no patient is harmed.

The right to abortion will not be shaken by - and that's not the issue in this case. In this respect templates protests devil on the wall.

The right must not be understood as a deregulation to allow any form of personal or political influence public duties. It is simply recognition of the concerns relating to a very difficult question of values. In the liberal democracy it is important to have a clear marking of the boundaries of an individual, ethical action vis- à -vis the powerful state.

BT emphasized: In an earlier version of this leader stated that the reservation clause will also apply to the issue of birth control pills to women and referral to assisted reproduction. Health and Care emphasizes that it will not be necessary to allow doctors to refuse to print the pill, and that it is not clear whether there will be a reservation directly in referring to assisted reproduction “

Quoted from Bergens Tidene. (BT) Norwegian newspaper”