Rashness: Both Good and Bad

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting August 29 to study 1 Samuel 14.  There are peculiar twists and confusing descriptions in this chapter.  And it gives us probably the most positive view of Saul, and it's not all that good.

Read through the chapter several times to get a sense of the flow of events.  There is a part at the beginning that is sort of an annotation/interruption in the narrative, but it's not hard to pick up the flow of events immediately following.  It was supposed to give more detail on the setting, but so far from the events, it's almost obscuring rather than clarifying.  We have to trust that it meant something at the time of writing/compiling.

Jot down notes, questions, and insights into God's character, Saul's character, Jonathan's character and the people.  Note relationships and imagine what it would have been like to be there and hear what was said, see what was done, and see who was doing it.  After reading it through enough to get a good feel for it, and jotting down your insights, read it through again with these questions:

• As with the prior chapter, Jonathan starts the conflict.  In verse 1, it doesn't sound bad, but through verse 5, the situation is shown to be really lopsided.  What sort of character do you think it takes in a person to face such circumstances with just your "buddy"?
• Jonathan has a reason for his faith, that Yahweh isn't hindered by lack of numbers, he has history to demonstrate this (Gideon for example).  What is your faith based in, what sort of personal history?  And does that history support such acts of faith as Jonathan's?
• Jonathan chooses a sign to know if Yahweh has given the Philistines into his hand, but what does he use as his fall-back if the sign isn't given?  What does it mean for his character?  What do you think would have happened had the Philistines come down to him?
• Considering bravery and cowardice, so far in this account, the numerous Philistines versus the paltry few Israelites, who is courageous and who is cowardly?  Why might that be surprising?  What might support "caution" on the part of the Philistines?
• Read verse 15 in as many translations as possible.  Look up "trembling"/"panic" in the Strong's Concordance.  Then look up "trembled" in the Strong's Concordance.  These words have the same root, and the first (noun) is used at the end of the verse.  What do you imagine happening in the Philistine camp?  What does this have to do with Jonathan?
• What do the "spies/lookouts" for Saul see, what do you think it looked like?
• Saul figures out who is missing, so what does he do immediately?  There is debate about whether the "Ark of God" is referred to or whether it is the "Ephod" of the priest (long story).  What would make the Ephod make more sense in light of verse 18?
• Regardless of how confusing verse 17 and 18 are (and they are confusing), Saul decides not to inquire of God through the priest.  Why?  Think in terms of character and circumstance and don't be too quick to judge harshly.
• What do Saul and the army find when they reach the battle?  Where is Jonathan?
• Who are these "Hebrews", and where did they come from?  The Greek version uses the term "slaves", how does that influence your understanding?
• Who else joins the battle?  Where did they come from, and how did they know what was happening in Benjamin?
• Why would Saul swear an oath on the people to not eat?  What "military" value would that have had?
• When Jonathan's eyes shine from eating the honey, someone tells him of his father's oath.  How does Jonathan interpret his father's action?  What does that tell you of Jonathan's character?
• So at some point the people fall on the plunder and begin sinning by eating blood.  How do you imagine this scene?  When Saul is told, he says they are being treacherous.  What do you think about what happened and why?  If you had to ascribe fault, how would you do it (not who, but how would you decide)?
• Saul's solution is to roll a big rock to use to slaughter the animals.  It also says he built an altar, his first.  Do you think the large stone and the altar are the same?  What would that mean for what he did?  What does that say about his character?
• Saul wants to continue to pursue the Philistines, but what does it mean that the priest contradicts him?  Why would the priest do that?
• So what does God answer Saul?  What does that mean?  Saul decides what he thinks it means, so lots are cast, but why does Saul say the person offending will die?
• Prior to this the people say, "Do what is good in your eyes." But not here, what do you think they are thinking?
• Jonathan owns what he did, and whatever consequences.  What do we learn about his character here?
• The people stand up for Jonathan against the king.  If (or since) Yahweh brought victory through Jonathan, what can we guess is His opinion of what has gone on?
• The rest of the chapter summarizes Saul's reign and his family.  What do you think of Saul's victories and success?  What does that reveal of God's perspective of Saul?
• Saul's family will be important later, but a son is missing (2 Samuel 2:8), why might that be?
• Considering that "ab" means "father" in Hebrew, what do you think of Abner's name versus his father's name?  Why would someone name the child that way?
• So Saul's reign is characterized by conflict with the Philistines, so what is his usual practice?  Good idea or bad idea?  Or is it a necessity?

That should do for now.  Blessings upon you all until Thursday!

Inauspicious Prep for Battle

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting August 22 to study 1 Samuel 13.  This is one funky chapter.  Linguistically, it's full of really strange words only used once or twice for technical items, odd grammatical structures, and my Hebrew program left things out and mistranslated others a few times.  The essence of what's going on is hard to follow regardless of whatever problems I had working through it.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Read forward to Chapter 14 to get context.  This chapter is short, and the next one is way long, but really completes the story started here.  Read through chapter 13 a few times, and jot down odd things and questions (you will probably have plenty).  Go through again using the questions below:

• Verse 1 is missing in older texts, when it does appear has various numbers for his age, the length of reign is often missing, and when it is there is 2 years.  What do you think it changes if we ignore it entirely?
• Cities are one of the hard parts of this chapter.  Remember the starting positions: Saul in Michmash, Jonathan in Gibeah, and the Philistines in Geba.  Find these on a map, think about how much space is being referenced.  So why might everything happen in Benjamin when it's so small?
• Since Jonathan starts the conflict, what might that reveal about Jonathan's character?
• In this chapter (and throughout the book) two terms are used for the people, "Hebrews" and "Israel".  What clues do you see that there may be a distinction between these terms?
• Where is Gilgal from the rest of the events in this chapter?  Consider the difference in elevation, why might this be a bad idea?  So, why meet there?
• What is odd about where the Philistines make their camp?  Why there?
• Again in verse 6 and 7, there seems to be a difference between Hebrews and Israel.  Who does what, and what do you think that means about the difference?
• In verse 8 we're given the reason they meet in Gilgal, and what does this "appointed time set by Samuel" refer back to?  What do you think that means about the historical timing of Saul's reign?
• Saul offers the offerings without waiting for Samuel, what does this say about Saul's character?
• Considering the punishment described by Samuel, does it seem to fit the crime?  Why do you think it would it be so severe for not waiting?
• So, now Saul is in Gibeah, but then he and Jonathan are in Geba and the Philistines are in Michmash.  We've traded places.  Why might that have happened?
• Why do you think the Philistines would send out raiding parties instead of assaulting 600 men across the gorge from them (see 1 Samuel 14:5)?
• What do you think the point about the "blacksmith's" is about?  Why do you think this detail is important here?  
• Again, the term used here is "Hebrews".  How does this help us understand differences in terms?
• What sort of weapons would the people have if not swords and spears?
• What do you think it means that Saul and Jonathan have swords and spears?

So Long, And Thanks For All The Headaches

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting August 15 to study 1 Samuel 12.  This is the final chapter of the Establishment of the Monarchy.  After this, Samuel and Kings follow a literary formula used for the remainder of the kings.  Here is the final address of Samuel to the people.

Read through the chapter a several times.  Look for things that jump out at you that don't make sense.  Some of what Samuel says refers to the Book of Judges which we haven't gone through yet.  Most though is a rehash of things he has said before with slight differences.  Look for and note the differences; and ask yourself why they might be different.

After reading through and jotting down some notes, consider the questions below as you read through again.

• Samuel starts by stating the current situation.  Then he asks who might have a charge against him.  Why do you think he'd ask that question?  What do you think might be his point in doing so?
• After the people respond that they have no charges, he calls God into it as a witness that they have no charges, and they agree.  Now what might he be doing?  Why do you think he would take it to this extra step?
• Then Samuel recounts the series of failures and subsequent deliverances by God.  Now what might he be doing?  He's cleared himself, now he's clearing God; but why might he be doing this?
• What does Samuel say prompted the people's request for a king?  Why use that?  Do you think that was the issue all along, or just a convenient recent issue?
• So, now they have a king, and Samuel charges them to serve and fear God; but what is the benefit, the other side of the "covenant" so to speak?  Read verse 14 in as many translations as you have access.  Consider the differences and similarities as you answer the question.
• Consider the consequences for disobedience.  It's not specific, but generally, how bad does that sound to you?  Think about how it could be worse.  How much worse can you imagine?
• As a sign to them of the truth of his words, Samuel calls on God for thunder and rain during the harvest.  Your study commentaries won't be able to pass that up.  What is the significance of the rain at harvest time?  There may be some disagreement over the significance.
• The people are panic-stricken over the rain/thunder (or voice).  But why would they think they will die, who said anything about that?
• The response of Samuel to their fearful plea is my central teaching from this chapter.  Consider the pieces of what Samuel says in verses 20-23, and consider what this says of the character of God, not just of Samuel.  What do you learn of your relationship with God from this?  How does He see you?
• How does verse 25 and verse 22 fit into the same context?

That should help us through the passage.  Be sure to bring your own questions and comments to the group.  See you Thursday!

Second Verse, Somewhat Like the First

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting August 8 to study 1 Samuel 11.  This is a short chapter, but still full of interesting stuff.  It continues the establishment account of the monarchy of Israel.  There's one more chapter of this then the narrative of the monarchy begins.  This narrative (from chapter 8 through 12) seems to be made up of two or more different accounts blended together.  It's not all that important to determine where they were blended, but if you keep that in mind, it helps to follow the storyline and account for oddities.

Read the chapter through a lot (hopefully you have been, it's very short).  Look for pieces that seem to be at odds with other parts we've already covered.  Jot down notes and questions.  Please ask these questions at the group, we really need your perspective to get a better view of our Master's character.

After a few passes through and your own notes/questions, review the chapter again with these questions:

• Read the article on the Ammonites.  Why do you think this leader wanted to embarrass Israel?
• What "role" does Nahash play in Ammon? Who is this guy?
• Why do you think Nahash would let the elders of the city send messengers throughout Israel?
• The Spirit of God causes Saul to be angry.  What do you think about that?
• What do you think is the significance of the threat of slaughtered oxen?  Why would that work?
• Think about the response of the people.  What sort of "fear" is this?  
• This is probably one of the largest armies fielded by Israel.  But why do you think they were numbered separately for Judah?
• Why do you think the men of Jabesh would tell Nahash what they did?  
• Why do the people want to kill the "naysayers" against Saul now?
• What sort of character do you see in Saul that he doesn't want to kill them?
• Now where do they establish the kingdom?  Is this where Saul waits seven days?
• What differences do you see between this establishment and the prior one at Mizpah?

Consider these along with your own notes and questions.  Between us, I'm sure some interesting qualities of God will emerge.  I look forward to seeing you all Thursday!