Destructive Repairs

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting January 25 to study Judges 21.  This chapter wraps up the book of Judges, and it's a real nutter.

This chapter also wraps up the final story of Judges, where the tribe of Benjamin is wiped out and then restored.  This is where it's restored, and how.  Read through this chapter along with the previous two again. Look closely at the perception of the problem and the solution.

Go back through the chapter with the questions below:

• Verse 1 happens before the battles wiping out Benjamin.  There's no overt explicit criticism of this vow, but what do you think the author thinks of the vow?  Consider how many times he refers to it in the chapter.
• The people worship before Yahweh, lamenting the loss of Benjamin.  The question, why, is probably rhetorical.  If they were asked why, what do you think they would have answered? Do you think they thought it was their fault, the will of Yahweh, or something else?
• Verse 5 doesn't seem to fit right there.  It fits as an explanation about what follows, but would flow better after verse 7, and verse 8 basically repeats it.  Why do you think the author left it where it is?
• From verses 1, 6, and 7, what do you think about the problem the people of Israel are trying to fix?
• Jabesh-Gilead was missing from the muster in Beth-El.  People from Gilead, the region, showed (20:1), but not from that town. Why do you think the people of Israel were so severe with the town? It's not like they had done anything like Gibeah, so what do you think is the problem they're "fixing" by wiping it out?
• The process of destroying Jabesh-Gilead nets 400 wives for the 600 at the Rock of Rimmon. But where did they bring them? Weren't they at Bethel?  Why do you think the text has Shiloh here instead of Bethel?
• The 400 wives for the 600 men is at least a begining, so they start the peace process with the remnant of Benjamin.  They're still short 200 wives, and the people are still sorry, but for what Yahweh has done (v.15).  Why do you think the people are fixing a problem caused by Yahweh? Is what He causes a problem to be fixed?
• Again, Shiloh becomes part of the solution, only this time, unwillingly.  What do you think of the solution the elders have for the remaining 200 wives?
• The prepared explanation to Shiloh when they complain seems odd.  Weren't the elders from Shiloh part of the elders having this discussion and coming up with the plan?  If not, why not? What do you think is going on here?
• Once the remaining 200 wives are "captured" from Shiloh, all the people depart to their homes. How long do you think this all took?
• The final verse to this chapter and the book is about there being no king in Israel and that each man did what they thought was right.  This phrase repeats Judges 17:6, and the part about there being no king is repeated in 18:1 and 19:1.  Out of four occurrences, half have both the missing king and the doing right in their own eyes, and half have just the part about the missing king.  What do you think is the reason for the missing phrase about doing right in their own eyes?
• How do you think this final statement summarizes these two stories, and the book of Judges?

That wraps up the chapter and the book of Judges.  Think through what you would say you've learned about God from this book?  See y'all Thursday!

Good News, Bad News

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting May 30 to study 1 Samuel 3.  This is a famous chapter for Samuel's call, and not nearly enough for the content of God's message.  We'll be comparing Samuel's message with the "man of God" from chapter 2, so look over that one too.  As you read through this chapter, try to imagine what is happening, imagine the setting as best you can.  Think about what things might look like and so on.  It might be helpful to look up Shiloh excavations in Israel on Google to give you a sense of what things may have looked like in Samuel's day.

After reading through several times on your own, jotting down questions and observations, consider the questions below as you go through a few more times:

• The word normally translated as "rare" really misses an important element of the meaning.  Look up the Hebrew word used for "rare".  What's the difference?
• What does it mean that the "lamp of God had not yet gone out"?  Read Leviticus 24:2-4.  What might it mean if the lamp does go out?
• Where was Samuel sleeping? Read Exodus 26:30-35, and Leviticus 16:2-13.  Why might Samuel's place of sleeping be considered dangerous?
• It was said of Eli's sons that they did not know God (1 Samuel 2:12), so what is different about Samuel here?
• What might it mean that "nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him"?
• What is it that takes Eli three times to figure out?  Why would it have taken three times?
• Where is God when He calls to Samuel?
• How does Samuel's response differ from Eli's instructions?  Why might that be?
• The message seems shorter than the one given to the "man of God" in the previous chapter.  But what is the point here?
• In 1 Samuel 2:22 the word for "tent" is used specifically for the place of worship.  But now "doors" are being opened.  And the word "palace" is again used to refer to it.  So, what sort of place is this?  How do you imagine it?
• What is Samuel's feelings about the "word" he has been given by God?
• Eli calls him and tells him not to hide anything from him, what does he say will happen if Samuel does?
• Samuel tells him and what does Eli say?  Why say that?  How might he have said it?
• From the final three verses of Chapter 3 how much times elapses between the "word of God" coming to Samuel, and the events in Chapter 4?  So, what does it mean when God says He's about to do something?
• How "rare" is the word of God now?

That should be enough to start.  Be sure to bring your questions and observations.  Obviously I miss stuff (like the boiling sacrifice from Leviticus last week - Thank you for catching that Don!).  We're beginning to see more and more that we are much better at seeing Scripture together than we can ever be alone.  That's a big part of what we do every Thursday.  It's that way by the design of our Master.

The Beginning of the End of the Judges

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting on May 16 to study 1 Samuel 1.  This chapter sets the stage for the transition of the people of God from a confederacy into a monarchy.  It is a difficult time, and the people are far from God in many ways.  In the midst of this waywardness of the people, there is also righteousness and faithfulness to God.  There are a lot of contrasts and ironies throughout this book, and ones that follow, many of them are very sad, some extremely shameful.

As you read this chapter be sure to ask questions about the text.  Look for curious things which could be cultural, but are unexplained.  Try to imagine the places things happen.  Pay close attention to descriptions of places because they are so rare.  Details of locations are common, details of places are not; and there is a difference.

After reading through the text several times, consider the questions below as you read through again.  It may be helpful to read through again after considering these questions because you may find things I didn't think to ask.

• What is the meaning of Elkanah's name?  Keep that in mind as we continue.
• What is the meaning of Hannah's name?  Keep that in mind too.
• What is the meaning of Peninnah's name?  You get the idea.
• What is the major difference mentioned between these two wives?
• What was Elkanah's yearly custom, and who was at Shiloh when he went?  Keep those people in mind for later (like next week or the week following).
• What does it mean that Elkanah would give "portions" to his wives and children?  What does that tell you about the sacrificial custom?
• Why would he give double portions to Hannah?
• Look up the word often translated as "rival" or "adversary".  How is it used most often?  How often is it used for a "person"?  Why use that word here, and like that?
• Look up the word for "irritate" or "fret" (KJV).  To what does this normally refer?  What does this tell you about what Hannah does when she's angry?
• How often would this happen?
• What was it that Hannah would not eat?  So is Peninnah successful?
• What does Elkanah say every time this happens?  How is that supposed to help?
• What is the meaning of Eli's name?  Is that what you expected it to mean?  What's missing from his name?
• Where is Eli sitting?  So, where is Hannah praying?
• Hannah makes a vow to God.  What does she want God to do for her, how does she phrase it?
• What does she vow she will do if God gives her a son?
• Why is the "razor" important?  What does that mean?
• What sort of attitude do you detect in her prayer?  So, what sort of attitude is missing?
• What does Eli see and and think is happening?
• What does Hannah reply to him?  What sort of attitude do you detect in her response?
• What does Eli reply, and what is interesting about his reply?
• Now how does Hannah feel?
• What does God do for her, how is it phrased?
• What is the meaning of Samuel's name?  Why does Hannah say she names him that?  What connection do you infer from the name and the explanation?
• How old does he seem to be when he's weaned?
• Why the extra sacrifice when she leaves Samuel with Eli at the temple?

That should be enough to sort through.  Consider any questions that my questions brought up.  Write them down and bring them Thursday.

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