The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

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The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

• Lesson 4 Give Us a King!
• I Sm. 8 - 927
• For whatever things were written before were
  written for our learning, that we through the
  patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
  hope. (Romans 154)
• Now all these things happened to them as
  examples, and they were written for our
  admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
  come. (I Corinthians 1011)

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Introduction

• Israel has a history of sin and rebellion, yet
  God is merciful and knows the future.
• Some people want to know What have you done for
  me lately?
• God made provisions for a king in His law before
  it was requested.
• Why did Israel demand a king?
• Key reasons include the age of Samuel,
  wickedness of Samuels sons, and to be like other
  nations.
• REAL REASON Self-will.
• Youth and inexperience may have lead to
  corruption. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
  
• Samuels sons were delegated authority from
  Samuel.
• His sons were dishonest, took bribes, and
  perverted justice (Dt. 1618-22).
• The people expressed dissatisfaction and
  rejection of Samuels leadership.
• Rejecting the system of judges is a rejection of
  Gods rule and leadership. They rejected Gods
  arrangement and wanted to improve upon His
  arrangement.
• Samuel turns to God for guidance.
• God grants the request for a king.
• The people are warned about the labors and
  troubles of a king.
• God directed Samuel to select Saul to be Israels
  first king.
• Saul was tall and handsome, of the tribe of
  Benjamin, and Son of wealthy Kish

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Discussion Questions

• Why do you think Samuel's sons were corrupt? (I
  Sm. 715-17 81)
• Perhaps he was never home due to constant travel.
• Samuels sons seemed to be like Elis sons who
  were selfish and rebellious.
• Why didnt God destroy Samuel as He did Eli?
• Maybe he didnt realize it or was blind to it.
• Maybe He raised them right and they made their
  own choices because, they turned aside. (83)
• Lesson to Learn Good children are not always
  good just because their parents are good. (Hb.
  1214-17 1120, 32, 4 Jude 11)
• Examples Issacs sons (Jacob/Esau), Samuels
  sons, Davids sons (Absalom/Solomon), Adam and
  Eves sons (Cain/Abel).
• Parents are responsible/accountable for raising
  their children right, then they become
  responsible/accountable for their own decisions.

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Discussion Questions

• In what ways did Samuel's sons disregard the law
  of God and refused to walk in the steps of their
  father? (I Sm. 83 218-21, 26 319 Dt.
  1618-19)
• Samuels sons took bribes, were dishonest, and
  perverted justice, yet Samuel had favor with God
  and man.
• God provides instructions and laws regarding
  appointed leaders and delegated authority (Dt.
  1618-19).
• The statement, Like father, like son is not
  always true.
• Lesson to Learn Public office and power brings
  temptations of dishonesty, bribery and
  perversion. (Mt. 2811-15 Lk. 1419 Ga. 17-9
  Tit. 310-11 I Tm. 36-7 519-20 69-10)
• Modern politicians take bribes in return for
  favoritism (i.e. PACs, campaign funds, bad
  checks, etc.).
• Jesus knows what politics is all about (i.e.
  trial).
• In general, politicians are known for making
  excuses, casting blame on others, being
  deceptive, etc.
• Religious leaders may pervert the truth into
  false doctrines.
• In general, promoting youth and inexperience
  leads to temptations and corruption (i.e. Enron,
  preachers, elders, deacons, etc.).

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Discussion Questions

• How did the people express their dissatisfaction
  to Samuel? (I Sm. 84-5) What was the real
  motive of Israel's demand for a king? (I Sm. 85,
  8 Ps. 1188-9 Jud. 822-24)
• Israel provided three reasons Samuels age,
  wicked sons, and to be like the other nations.
• Real Motive Be like the other nations. They
  were more confident in mans way. It was
  self-will. (Ps. 1188-9)
• Israel could have suggested removal of Samuels
  sons, but it seems they may have been thinking
  about this for some time (Jud. 822-23).
• Lesson to Learn Self-will is when we want to do
  something regardless of God's warnings and
  instructions. (Jh. 113 Ga. 520 II Pt. 21
  Ac. 155 I Co. 1119 II Th. 17-9)
• The battle of the wills God and man.
• Heresy is a strong self-willed opinion (Vines).
  A heresy causes divisions and leads to false
  doctrine.
• Our real motives will be reflected in our words
  and deeds.

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Discussion Questions

• How was Israel influenced by the nations around
  them? (I Sm. 85, 8 Jud. 21-6)
• Israel was influenced by what they saw and
  desired to imitate others.
• Israel imitated others by worshipping idols, and
  their government.
• Philosophy Keep up with the world (i.e. modern,
  progressive, innovative). Being like other
  religious groups.
• Lesson To Learn Influence of the world can
  corrupt the church. (I Co. 51-13 Josh. 71-26
  Mt. 1322 Jm. 44 I Jh. 215-17 Col. 35 II
  Co. 211 I Co. 1012 II Co. 416-18 Mt. 1315
  II Pt. 310-13 Re. 212-29 314-22)
• Tolerating sin make a church impure and corrupt
  (I Co. 5 Jos. 7).
• Indifference and worldliness destroys church
  influence.
• Satan presents temptation/devices to sin through
  three avenues lusts of the flesh, lust of the
  eyes and the pride of life.
• Cares and pleasures of the world slowly choke us
  to death. We cant be a friend of the world and
  God.
• We must set our minds on things above. We must
  realize the earth and all the works will be
  destroyed. We must see the big picture!

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Discussion Questions

• Why did God make provisions in the old law for a
  king? (Dt. 1714-20 2619)
• God knew the time would come (Dt. 1714).
• Jesus, our King, was the son of king David. An
  important link in the chain.
• Gods divine regulations were violated (i.e. King
  Solomon I Ki. 111-13).
• Israel was still required to be set apart from
  all the other nations.

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Discussion Questions

• How did Samuel respond to the demand? How did
  the Lord respond? (I Sm. 86-9)
• Samuel was displeased and prayed to God.
• Samuel realized the people rejected God, and was
  displeased with the peoples rejection of Gods
  arrangement.
• Samuel knew how God felt. Do we know how God
  feels? (Ge. 399)
• God instructed Samuel to heed the request and
  warn Israel. Rebellion was not new to Israel.
• Lesson To Learn We should take our problems to
  God in prayer and depend upon His guidance. (I
  Pt. 57 Ph. 44-7 Ps. 1051-5 I Tm. 22 Mk.
  1438 Jm. 15)
• We should cast ALL of our cares on Jesus. He
  really cares!!!
• Christians have nothing to worry about.
• We must pray for ALL people.
• We must watch and pray. We must ask for wisdom
  and guidance from God. We need wisdom!!!

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Discussion Questions

• What are the troubles and labors of a king? (I
  Sm. 810-18)
• Sons will be enlisted to serve in the military.
  Military leaders will be appointed.
• Decisions will be made about who will plow, make
  swords and weapons.
• Daughters will be enlisted to serve as cooks.
  Servants will be taken.
• Taxes will be collected.
• Our government may use a draft, collects taxes,
  conduct military activities, etc.). Its better
  than anarchy (Jud. 176) or wild, wild, west.
• Briefly describe the family, appearance and
  character of Saul. (I Sm. 91-2, 21 1023-24
  1313 1519)
• Family was of the tribe of Benjamin (smallest,
  wealthy, powerful).
• Sauls appearance was handsome, tall and young.
• Sauls character appeared as humble in the
  beginning and turned to pride, self-will and
  rebellion (921 1022 1313).
• Saul seemed capable from a human viewpoint (92
  1022-23), but he failed to measure up to Gods
  standard because of worldliness and self-will
  (1313 1519).

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Discussion Questions Final Thoughts

• How did God guide Samuel in selecting Saul as
  king (I Sm. 93-17)?
• Samuel was told Saul would come to him seeking
  help in finding his lost donkeys.
• God told Samuel that Saul was to be selected.
• How did Samuel react to the man that was to
  replace him as the leader? (I Sm. 919-27)
• Even though Saul was young and inexperienced,
  Samuel honored the man who was to be his
  replacement (922).
• Samuel was not resentful, bitter, hateful, etc.
  He did not question Gods decision or
  instructions.