Announcements Open forum this Wednesday? Roles of women in the Bible Topic(s) of your choice Extra Credit – if you are currently in the D or F range and want to improve your grade You must come and see me in this regard this week It involves a project that requires consistent work from now until the end of the term Please do not ask in November or December if you can do extra credit if you have not availed yourself of this opportunity

Review question # 1 21. What spiritual “cycle” characterized the period of the Judges? A. sin, sloth, sleaze, supplication, surrender B. apathy, attack, arrest, alienation C. apostasy, oppression, repentance, deliverance, repetition D. apostasy, heresy, apathy, enthusiasm, repetition

And the answer is… A. sin, sloth, sleaze, supplication, surrender B. apathy, attack, arrest, alienation C. apostasy, oppression, repentance, deliverance, repetition D. apostasy, heresy, apathy, enthusiasm, repetition

Review Question # 2 22. The incidents at the end of the book of Judges are interspersed with the saying A. “There was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes” B. “It is time to build the Temple and atone for wickedness” C. “The ark of the covenant will be lost forever” D. “The Lord helps those who help themselves” E. None of the above

And…. A. “There was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes” B. “It is time to build the Temple and atone for wickedness” C. “The ark of the covenant will be lost forever” D. “The Lord helps those who help themselves” E. None of the above

Transition to the Monarchy: The Work of Samuel Saul as King

Moving Ahead to the Geo-political Situation surrounding 1 Samuel Problems from the period of the judges continued Neighboring people created problems: Philistines (five cities on coastal plain) controlled production of iron (1 Sam 13:19) and had almost overrun the land multiple times (1 Sam 13-14; 17; 28-31) Ammonites were Saul’s first combat experience Amalekites – a cause of Saul’s disobedience Moab and Edom Israelite settlements were primarily in the hill country

The Five Philistine Cities On or near the coast Gaza Ashkelon Ashdod Inland Gath Ekron

Philistine Threats 1 Sam 13-14 – Central Benjamin Plateau - Jonathan 1 Sam 17 – Elah Valley – David and Goliath 1 Sam 28-31 – Jezreel Valley – death of Saul

Transition figure: Samuel Birth – Samuel was a Levite (I Chr 6:33-38) living in the region of Ephraim motif of barren mother Hannah’s vow to dedicate Samuel as a Nazirite Hannah’s song Samuel’s call in the Tabernacle – at Shiloh His service as prophet, priest, judge (3:20; 7:15-17)

Hill Country near Shiloh

Abuses of religious power and symbols: The ark at Shiloh The problems with Eli and his sons – abuses of God’s sanctuary The significance of the ark united the tribes until its capture symbol of the Presence of God Sanctity of the ark violated Israelites took it out to battle its capture by the Philistines Return of the ark

The Capture and Return of the Ark

Looking west toward Gath

The Soreq Valley from Beth Shemesh

Israel’s request for a king Samuel’s sons were dishonest judges All the nations round about had kings Samuel’s challenge God’s deliverance at Exodus and by means of Judges The folly of asking for a king demonstrated by miracle Samuel’s exhortation and commitment to pray

The Tragic King - Saul Why did God first choose Saul? Double confirmation as king Anointed by Samuel The saga of the lost donkeys The Lord told Samuel this was the person to anoint Samuel gave Saul three signs – one was his ability to prophesy And the Lord changed Saul’s heart Selected by lot – the public demonstration Initial success and confirmation

Saul’s Character Flaws Impatient, rash, disobedient Offered sacrifices at Gilgal Philistines were at Geba and Michmash Saul and the army at Gilgal waiting for Samuel Bound the army under an oath and almost lost Jonathan Jonathan’s raid on the Philistine outpost Note again the binding nature of the oath – even when it was broken in innocence Did not destroy the Amalekites Reason for total the command (Deut 25) Saul’s disobedience and cover-up The condemnation (verses 22-23)