Please read through my study questions for I Samuel and then through I Samuel itself. Which of the many episodes in this book do you find the most tragic? What is the lesson to be learned from this story? Alternatively, choose an episode/incident you find uplifting, and explain why you like this particular passage.
Friday, February 15, 2008
I Samuel
Please read through my study questions for I Samuel and then through I Samuel itself. Which of the many episodes in this book do you find the most tragic? What is the lesson to be learned from this story? Alternatively, choose an episode/incident you find uplifting, and explain why you like this particular passage.
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- I think the most tragic episode in I Samuel is the constant struggle between Saul and David. Both men were ordained to do great things from God. After David killed Goliath, David started gaining more and more power in Saul’s kingdom and it seemed to irritate him. Saul decided that David had to be killed. Saul broke the covenant with God and was visited by evil spirits off and on. It seemed like Saul came consumed with this idea of killing David. Reversely, the most up lifting story is within this struggle between Saul and David. This is of course the story of David and Goliath. To think that this little boy originally summoned to play the harp kills this seemingly invincible opponent in Goliath. This is truly and amazing and uplifting story. I most have missed the “warts” of David (besides the multiple wives). Can anybody add on the warts of David? Happy Blogging!!!
Which is worse, a corrupt judge or a corrupt king. When the people of Israel ask Samuel for a king to judge us like all nations, I found that to be tragic. They were free. Their only ruler, God. Now because Samuel's sons were corrupt they decide they need a king. A corrupt king is far worse then a corrupt judge. Or are they the same thing? I found Jonathans protection of David to be uplifting, which made his demise more poignant. The reward for killing Goliath was also uplifting. You don't have to pay taxes. Can't beat that deal.
I believe that the story of Hannah and Samuel is uplifting. Hannah was barren but she prayed to God and made a covenant with him stating that if he allowed her to have a child she would dedicate his life to God. God answered Hannah's prayer and she gave birth to Samuel. Just as she promised God, after Samuel was weaned she took him to Eli so that he could be dedicated to God. I can not imagine how hard it would be to give up your child especially after you were preceived to be barren. However, God rewarded Hannah for her faithfulness to God by blessing her with more children. This passage proves that faithfulness to God can yield great rewards.
One of the tragic episodes that stuck out was the persistent demands that the people of Israel placed on God to give them a king, even after Samuel warned them of the things that could potentially happen when a king rules the people. In response, God grants their wish. This is uplifting and should give us all hope that our prayers will be heard and answered. Even though they may not always be answered the way we want them to be, like the prayers of the Israelites were, they will be answered.
I have to agree with AJ on this one. I believe that the most tragic story is that of Saul. In the beginning, God had such high hopes for him, along with Samuel. He is supposed to help the Israelites fight the Phillistines, but he continually disobeys God.
It is equally disheartening to see Saul get envious of David. A just king would not get envious; they would reward bravery--but not Saul.
The uplifting story, like AJ said, is how David conquers Goliath without a sword. It is the ultimate underdog-fight of the ages, and the little guy came out on top.
The main lesson from these two stories is pretty blatant: Listen to God! He tells these guys what to do, and when one didn't listen, bad things happened, and when one listened, good things happened. Pretty simple here: listen to what God has to say, and carry it out!
As far as warts, AJ, I think we we find a little bit more about them after a thorough reading of Second Samuel.
The most uplifting story for me is Hannah giving birth to Samuel. While reading this passage, it is easy to see just how much Hannah wants a child. After praying to God, she gets her wish. The best thing about this story is she doesn’t forget who gave her the child. She has an amazing prayer in chapter 2 where she explains her happiness and gratitude toward God. She devotes her son to God from an early age and she seemed complete after having her baby.
A very well known story of I Samuel I think is also very tragic. Since people have been led to freedom from Eygpt the Israelites have been "forsaking me (God) and serving other gods". (I Sam 8:8) They continually see the plumit of their society and own lives when the sin. In spite of this they continue to want the worldly things, in this case a king. Samuel is saddened by this and warns them of the harm that comes with a king but still they ask for one. I believe that even now the temptations of the world and quick fun results of sinful doings ends all of us into trouble. From the world, to the country and us ourselves....just on different levels.
Reading I Samuel I thought that one of the most up lifting stories was that of Samuel's mother and father. Hannah, Samuel's mother was favored over the other wife because she was truly loved by her husband. Even so she was barren. This brought her much sorrow because the other wife tortured her about it. Finally after pleading to God for a baby, she gave him to the priest Eli to serve the Lord. She was so blessed. After this she stayed close with Samuel and was given to 5 more children. It is such a terrible thing for a women not to be able to bear children. It makes them feel inadequete to do what they were meant to do. But because she was faithful and willing to give up her son to the Lord the Lord blessed her. It shows you the true loving ability of the Lord to help you bless the ones who just believe.
I agree with what many of the previous blogs have said already. The people of Israel asking for a king and the result is tragic. They get Saul as king and he becomes more corrupt thoughout his life. Towards the end of the book Saul's jealousy towards David continues to escalate. Saul's jealousy seems to consume his mind. In some ways Saul himself can be viewed as a tragic figure, the way he meets his death at the hands of the Philistines and his son Jonathan dying with him is sort of tragic. An uplifting story may be the most obvious, that is the story of David defeating Goliath. God chooses the son of Jesse to defeat the great Philistine warrior Goliath. In this case the great pride and confidence of Goliath is defeated. He is killed by a boy with a sling and a stone. This seems to be a very humble experience for the Philistines.
Like most of class mates I liked the story of Hannah giving birth to Samuel. We saw in earlier chapters how Abraham and Sarah were quick to jump the gun because they didn't think God would deliver on giving them a child. Hannah keeps her faith and patience in God and he delivers as she hoped for.
On the other hand, the story of Saul and the Isrealites is pretty tragic. It just proves people's willingness to jump on ship before they have all the facts. They want a king and are not willing to put their faith in God. In the long run the people suffer anyways because because Saul turns into quite the jerk.
Yea, I am going to have to say The
Story of Hannah is the most uplifting. Hannah is childless, but then makes a vow promising that if she has a son, he will be dedicated to Yahweh and be a Nazirite. Eli blesses her and a child is soon born.
I feel the most tragic episode in 1 Samuel is the struggle that Samuel fights with in himself. He is forced to make a difficult decission, appoint a king and please the people or not appoint a king and please God. He has an internal struggle and prays to God. He is comforted by God and led to do what God told him. He appoints a king with guidlines.
On the other side of things the most triumphant scene would be when Saul is appointed king. After all of this struggle he is made king which is an amazing thing.
This shows that even though a person maybe going through hard times they can always turn to God in prayer and he will answer.
The most remarkable reading for me was when God called Samuel by name when he was in the Tabernacle. Sameuel ran to Eli three times and said here I am and after the third time, Eli said to wait because God was calling him.
God revealed to Samuel what He was going to do. God was going to judge Eli's house forever because he was not obeying God nor were his sons. Eli did not discipline his sons and God did not like that at all.
This reading is wonderful just for the idea of being called by God. Samuel was so obedient.
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