The Plague of Accounting

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting May 21 to study 2 Samuel 24.  The LAST chapter!  Yes, we finally made it, and what a bizarre chapter with which to wrap up.  Here we see some of the oddest behavior of God recorded.  Theologians don't like this chapter, so don't be discouraged.  No one really understand it.  But we will slug our way through nonetheless!

Read through it several times.  It may be helpful with this one to read through fully with a few old and new translations.  Then pay close attention to the differences in how they build their statements.  Part of the differences you will see between translations of different time periods will be in theological views changing in the 20th Century (which is interesting).  So use a KJV and something else, but if you can find an American Standard Version (ASV - it's public domain - easy to find online for free), use that as well.

This is a good chapter to use with a Strong's either in print or online.  There are lots of places where words are difficult to understand, which you will see in the differences between translations.

You're going to have a ton of questions (everyone does).  So make sure to write them all down or you'll forget some.  The ones I have below are focused on stuff just below the surface, so that's why there's fewer of them, and none of them will be obvious or make much sense (kind of like the chapter as a whole).  Be sure to come up with your questions first, then look through whatever commentaries you have, and only then, look at the questions below.  DON'T START WITH THESE!  Please!

• The verb typically translated as 'incited' or 'moved' in verse 1 is clearly written to say that God caused David to do harm to the country.  Yes, God is angry with them, but what do you think the writer/editor is describing here?  What do you think God is doing?  This brings into question your assumptions about God and His character.
• The word translated as 'number', 'enroll', 'register' etc. is actually a very problematic generic word for 'visit'.  The reason for the visit is always left to context, and rarely with another 'helping descriptor' word. So it has tons of words it's translated into, with visit not even the most common.  You easily get the reason for the 'visit' here.  Why do you think this 'visit' is such a serious sin?
• Between the close of verse 10 and the beginning of verse 11 David obviously slept.  What do you think David thought about what he did and what this meant for his people?
• God offers David three options.  What do you think it says about David that he responded as he did?  
• How compassionate was three days of pestilence on the people of Israel?
• In verses 13 and 15, the word for the 'plague' or 'pestilence' is here. But in verses 21 and 25 the word is here.  How likely is it that the 'editor' used two different sources for the event?  What do you think that would do to contribute to making this difficult to understand?  Can you find any more of these?
• Consider the interaction between God and the 'angel' and David and the angel.  How do you imagine this happening?  Keep in mind David is in Jerusalem (or is he? - this is where the word for 'plague' changes).
• Read verse 23 in the KJV.  Remember that italicized words are ones added to help the translation make sense.  What if you read it without them, what do you think that means for this Arunah character?  Now what's going on?

There are plenty of other questions, so these are just additional ones you may not have caught or that most commentaries will simply ignore (some, not all).  It should be a lively discussion to wrap up 2 Samuel!

A King Found Seeking Donkeys

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting July 18 to study 1 Samuel 9.  This chapter is clearly part of a larger narrative, and ends rather abruptly.  It should still give us plenty to chew on for the coming week.

Read through the chapter several times.  You may find it helpful to read on ahead through the next two as well since they complete the establishment of Israel's first king.  As you go through chapter 9, be thinking of the themes that came up in the previous chapter; "being like the other nations", "a king to judge us", "someone to fight our battles", and so on.  Also look for things that seem odd elements to include in the narrative, ask why the editor/author included them.  Jot down your observations and questions and bring them to the study.

After reading through the chapter a few times, read through again using these questions:

• Why do you think the Tribe of Benjamin is significant here?
• Why do you think valor is an important element of Saul's family here?
• What might be the author/editor's point in the comment about Saul?
• Why would the author/editor include such details about Saul's quest?
• Where is Shalishah, Shaalim, and Zuph on a map? (see below - double-click to enlarge it)
• How about "Baal-Shalishah", "Shaalbim", and "Ziph", could these be the places?
• If Samuel lives in Ramah, why would the author/editor provide the details about him living in Zuph?
• What can you deduce from the goings on in Zuph that tell you what Samuel does on his "circuit"?
• Since Zuph isn't listed on his circuit, what are some possible explanations of his being there?
• Look at this article on the topic of seers and prophets.  What do you see as the major differences between the two? 
•  Samuel's comments to Saul indicate prior knowledge from God (and that is plainly stated), so why would Samuel proceed the way he does, why not just come out and  say it?
• What do you think is going on in Saul's mind throughout all this?  When do you think he finally "calms down" a bit and goes with the circumstances?  What does that tell you about him?
• He and Samuel spend a lot of time together that day.  Who do you think did most of the talking?
• The chapter ends right as something important is about to happen.  Why here?

That will do for now.  If you read ahead, you know something more about Saul, and while we'll cover that later, it does help inform you about his character here.  Be sure to jot down your own questions and observations and bring them to the study.

Good Boy, Bad Boys

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting May 23 to study 1 Samuel 2.  This chapter has a lot in it; lofty praise, debased worship, a faithful servant, and unfaithful ones.  In it is the foreshadowing of much what happens in this book, and the prophecy at the end is seen fulfilled in stages throughout.

Read through the chapter several times.  It's good to read ahead a bit as well.  There are interesting descriptions, strange happenings, and harsh judgments.  After reading through a few times, read through again with the questions below:

• What is a "horn" refer to here?
• Hannah didn't go into battle, so to what is she referring here?
• In verse 8 what is God doing to everyone?
• What king?
• What is immediately strange about Eli's sons?
• Read Leviticus 3 and 7 about offerings.  Does this sound like the "custom" described here?
• On the other hand, read Number 6.  Now why does this sound so familiar?
• How did the sons of Eli deviate from the custom?  What was it they weren't waiting for?
• What is the reason they chose to get raw meat instead of cooked?
• What about not waiting was "despising" the offering of Yahweh?
• How often did Samuel see his mother?
• What did Eli think of this arrangement?
• What happens to Hannah after dropping off Samuel?
• What else were Eli's sons up to?
• What sounds odd about what Eli says about sin?
• Why didn't his sons listen?
• What does verse 26 sound like?
• Who comes to visit Eli?  What is he?  Keep this in mind as we get into the next chapter (or read ahead), it's peculiar.
• What is the charge of Yahweh against Eli?
• If you have an NASB version, what does all the italics in verse 32 mean?  Read the verse leaving those words out, what does that do to the meaning?
• Why won't Yahweh cut off every man of Eli from the altar?
• What sign does Yahweh give that these things will begin happening?
• Who is this "faithful priest"?

That should be enough for now.  Be sure to be reading and jotting down your own questions as well.

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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