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!

A Collection of Travesties

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting January 18 to study Judges 19, and, hopefully, Judges 20.  These chapters wrap up the book of Judges, and form a "conclusion" for the writer.  Much of his point for the whole book is contained in these final three chapters.

Read through the remaining 3 chapters (which is a lot) because all three make up the whole of the story.  You want a context as we dig into each piece.  Look for themes as you read.  Don't rely solely on the repeated statement about there being no king in Israel, look beyond that to why that's important.

As you read, ask questions about the account.  What is the author's point? Why does he write the way he does?  What does he want his audience to learn from this?  Remember the three different time periods to keep in mind, the time of the events, the time of the author, and our time.  There's a connection between those periods that God has preserved, and that connection carries our lesson about God Himself.

 After you have your own notes and questions, go back through these chapters with a commentary, or study Bible notes.The more options you use, the better sense you'll get of just how confusing these chapters really are.  It's not you, these chapters are confusing for everyone.  But God has a message and a lesson about himself in them.  Revise your notes and questions as you look through the commentaries.

After you had all that fun becoming confused and getting lost in the details, go back through with the questions below:


Judges 19

• We, again, start with the refrain about there being no king in Israel.  The writer writes this during the time of the kings, probably from Judah, so why do you think this is so important to him?
• Again, we have a Levite as a character.  Once again, Ephraim and Bethlehem are locations for the setting of the story.  These elements probably tied these accounts together in the minds of the author and his audience.  What do you think is the likelihood that both Levites are the same person?  What would that mean for the timing of this account?
• The Levite's concubine is unfaithful to him and goes back home to Bethlehem.  Yet the Levite goes after her.  What does this tell you about how the Levite views this woman?  She's not his wife, but under a different legal status as a concubine.  Why do you think he's so invested in recovering her when she's been unfaithful?
• The woman's father welcomes the Levite gladly, but then delays him several days.  What do you think is going on there, why do you think the girl's father is so determined to delay them?
• The Levite, his servant, and the girl leave late, and can't make it far.  Read verse 10, then skip to verse 13, and continue to verse 14.  Now go back and start at verse 11, read 12, then skip to 15.  You may need to read it aloud to get a sense of what's happening.  What do you hear as you read it this way?
• Can you sense the scene setup like a horror movie as you read verse 15? No one will open their home to him, which is very strange for that culture.  Everyone seems to know something bad is coming.  What do you think about the author using such a literary device?  What do you think his audience thought?
• If you read the NASB or ESV, you'll see the word, "behold", which is a Hebrew literary idiom marking something important for the reader, sort like, "Check it out!" said while pointing where to look.  This draws attention to the old man. He isn't a local either.  Why do you think that detail is important to the author?
• The old man won't let the man remain in the square, but he doesn't say why.  The Levite seems content, but the old man is insistent.  Combined with the shut doors of everyone else in the town, this heightens the tension.  Something evil this way comes.  What does this sort of literary sophistication tell you about this author?  What do you think of him?
• Look up verse 18 in several translations.  Where is the Levite headed?  The Hebrew literally has "House of Yahweh" but the best Greek texts have "my house".  The Greek texts were translated before the time of Jesus (about 125 BC), and the Hebrew texts were consolidated shortly thereafter (about AD 125).  Considering the Greek texts are older, but still translations, which reading makes more sense to you and why?
• After the old man and the Levite eat and drink, the "sons of belial" show up (read verse 22 in the KJV).  They want the man who has come, not the concubine or his servant.  This is supposed to horrify, and it should at least make us terribly uncomfortable.  It would be analogous to "zombies" in our culture.  The old man goes out to them, and has a plea and an alternative.  What do you think of his alternative?
• Every translation seems to have a different way to translate the final word of verse 23 (also used in verse 24).  You can find the Strong's entry here.  It's always moral, and points out the stupidity of disobeying God.  The Greek word used in the same place can be found in the Strong's here. What do you think about what the old man is telling them? How effective do you think he's being?
• The Levite then takes matters into his own hands.  He puts his concubine outside and drags the old man back in.  What do you think is going through his mind that, after working to get her back, he now does this?
• The concubine is "abused" in the most horrible fashion by the crowd.  Why do you think they seemed satisfied by this rather than to continue to seek the man?
• She survives the abuse all night, only to die in the morning on the threshold.  Again, this seems like a scene from a horror flick, another literary device by the author to increase the revulsion in his readers/listeners.  Her "master" doesn't realize she's dead, at first.  What do you think of him as he simply tells her to get up?
• The Levite takes her home, cuts her up into 12 pieces, and sends them out to the 12 tribes of Israel.  If he sent 12 pieces out, then what do you think the fact that Benjamin also received a piece?
• There was no UPS or FedEx in those days.  So how do you think this guy gets 12 pieces of his dead concubine to hither and yon (and without refrigeration, smelly)?  Who could he use as couriers?
•  The people of Israel are horrified (as we would expect with all the heightened horrifying tension of the writer). Now, it's on them to act.  Why do you think the Levite chose to respond to this catastrophe this way?

Chapter 20

•  All the tribes, "from Dan to Beersheba" are summoned before God at Mizpah. First off, if "Dan" (the farthest northern city of Israel) is mentioned as a boundary of Israel, then when do you think this chapter happens in relation to the previous account of the Levite, idols, and the migrating tribe of Dan? 
• Look up the word used for the "leaders" of the people here. Only metaphorically are the leaders "corner towers". In what way do you think this metaphor works for leadership in general?
• Israel musters 400,000 from the tribes.  Notice that Benjamin hears about the muster, but doesn't show up.  What do you think that means for Benjamin?  Why do you think they wouldn't show up when no one even seems to know what it's about?  Or, do they?
• The Levite stands and tells the account of what happened in Gibeah.  In his account, who rises against him?  Instead of "men", the Hebrew word used is "ba'al", which typically means lords or rulers.  Why do you think the Levite characterizes those who surrounded the house, those "sons of belial", as leaders of the city?
• He claims that they intended to kill him, but instead raped his concubine and she died.  What do you think of his version of what happened?
• He then admits to cutting up his concubine and sending her out to all Israel, but what do you think of his motivation?  How is the foolish disobedience of Gibeah a good reason to send body parts all over the country?
• Now the Levite throws the decision of what to do on the 11 tribes present.  What do you think of his process?
• The people are outraged, and decide to do something right then (no one return to his tent).  They will cast lots, taking 1 in 10, 10 in 100, and 100 in 1000 to make provision for the people. What do you think this means?  
• The people of Israel give Benjamin a chance to come forward with the "sons of belial".  Why do you think Benjamin refuses to listen to the rest of the tribes and give up these evil people?  How might that influence your understanding of them as "leaders" (ba-al)?
• Benjamin number 26,000 men, seven hundred of them are left-handed slingers who can hit a hair without missing.  Why do you think all the cities of Benjamin turn out to defend the evil people of Gibeah?
• Israel numbers 400,000 "men drawing the sword".  So, who got left behind in the "lottery" of tenths?
• The people go to Bethel and inquire of God there.  The ark is said to be there, and the priest before the ark is the grand son of Aaron.  So, this would be pretty early on in the days of the sons of Israel.  How does this help revise or inform your sense of when, in Israel's history, this happened?
• The people inquire of God, and He answers saying Judah goes up first.  And they lose.  In fact, they lose more men than Benjamin puts in the field.  If they truly heard from God, and Benjamin is truly evil, then why do you think they lost?  What does that tell you about "hearing from God" today?
• They inquire of God again, and God tells them to go up and fight.  They go, and lose...again! They heard from God, Benjamin is evil, and they lose.  So, what do you think is going on here spiritually?  Is the Devil beating God?  What does this mean to you, all these failures?
• Now the people fast and offer sacrifices to God.  They inquire again, but now the answer isn't just go, but a promise of victory.  How does this inform your prayer life?  What does this tell you of God's character that He would send them into battle twice to lose?
• This time they set an ambush.  There's nothing to indicate it was God's idea, but this time it seems to work.  But, now we have two different parallel accounts of this battle.  Read verses 31 through the first half of 36 aloud.  Then read the second half of verse 36 through 46 aloud.  There is a connection in Benjamin not seeing the evil about to touch them (v.34) and the evil touching them (v.41), but it's hard to spot in most translations.  Instead, notice the level of detail between the two accounts.  They are clearly of the same event.  Why do you think the author keeps both?
• The people of Israel defeat Benjamin in the field, and trap 600 of them on a rock, all that's left of the 26,000.  Why do you think the people of Israel then turn and destroy the cities of Benjamin?  What do you think that was about?

That should more than suffice for our time together Thursday.  Remember to consider your walk with Jesus in light of what this account says about the character of God, and His way of working with His people.

Migratory Tribe

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 28 to study Judges 17 and 18 (this is for 18).

This chapter continues what was setup for us in chapter 17.  It has the same tone, tempo, and characters as the previous chapter.  Read this chapter carefully, because there are some interesting claims made, and assumptions underlying those claims.  Think through why the people do what they do.

As always, read through the chapter a few times, making notes, and jotting down questions.  Once you have your own, go back through with a commentary or two.  There are, again, lots of  diverse perspectives on this chapter.  Revise your notes and questions, then go back through with the questions below:

• Why do you think Dan can claim that an inheritance never "fell to them" during the time Israel took possession of the land.  Why do you think they phrase it that way?  It sort of sounds like everyone received an inheritance from God but them.  If that's what they mean, why do you think they would believe that?
• The tribe of Dan sends out spies.  What does this begin to sound like to you?  What other sending out of spies does this remind you of? Maybe reading Numbers 13 will help.
• What a surprise, they come to the house of Micah.  It says they 'recognize' the voice of the Levite.  What do you think the author means by that?  What was it that was familiar, that particular Levite, or what he was saying?
• The spies investigate the Levite.  It's not really part of their job, but they do so anyway.  Why?  What do you think is the big deal with the Levite to them?
• In verse 5, since there is an idol (or idols) involved here, but, since also the name of Yahweh has been bandied about earlier, do you think the "Elohim" here (as in, "inquire of Elohim") is God, or gods? 
• The Levite tells them that they walk in the favor of God.  What do you think?  Do they?  Why or why not?
• The spies come to Laish.  Read the description carefully.  What do you think is the most important detail, among the many given, about Laish that makes it ideal for the tribe of Dan?
• There is a really strange word used in verse 7.  It makes the modern translators pretty crazy trying to figure it out.  Look at this verse in various versions on Blue Letter Bible.  Note the little bracketed "fn" notes.  Here's the Strong's entry on the difficult word. Here's a new trick you can use for word studies: using the arrows in the "Word/Phrase/Strong's Search" section (below the Hebrew Lexicon entry), flip to the word before and then the word after this one (H6113 and then H6115).  Similarities are rarely inconsequential, except when it's a completely different word.  So, what do you think about the similarities and differences between the words on either side of this one?
• Here's one of my favorite movie scenes.  It's from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".  In this scene, listen for how Dennis describes their form of government.  How does that help you imagine the area of Laish when the spies from Dan found them?
• The spies return and get everyone moving.  What does their description remind you of? 
• The author notes that 600 traveled "armed with weapons of war", which makes longer travel more difficult.  Why do you think these 600 traveled this way?
• Their travel explains a place-name, Mahaneh-Dan.  Where have we already run across this place? (check your Bible's cross references.  I bet they will help.)
• What a surprise, they come to the house of Micah.  Read what the spies tell the tribe about the Levite and his setup.  What jumps out to you about this description? Why do you think the spies are pushing the men to "consider" their next move carefully?  Why isn't it obvious?
•  Look at verses 17 and 18 in several translations (including a KJV).  Who goes into the house to retrieve the idols? No Hebrew or Greek version has "...when they entered...", they all have "...they entered..."  Why do you think translators have all added "when"?
• The sons of Dan basically threaten the priest to get him to cooperate.  But why do you think they do this?  Why do they want these idols and priest?  What do you think is the underlying assumption in this account?  What do these people (Micah, and the tribe of Dan) believe about these idols?
• The priest happily goes with them.  So, what does he believe about this arrangement?
• As the tribe of Dan travels, they put the families and possessions in front.  Why do you think they do that?  What are they protecting, and from what?
• Micah and the village give chase, and catch the traveling tribe and the armed 600.  What do you think of the challenge of the sons of Dan? What do you think they mean by that?
• Micah doesn't seem to understand their lack of understanding.  Why do you think he is confused by their challenge?
• The tribe of Dan moves to an open threat.  The "fierce" or "angry" men are actually "bitter of soul".  What does that description remind you of?  (Maybe 1 Samuel 22:1-2?)
• Micah does some quick accounting, and determines this isn't a good idea.  If he really considered what he had to be the "favor of Yahweh", what do you think he thinks now?
• The tribe of Dan takes Micah's "religious establishment", and then destroys the people of Laish.  Just based on the amount of ink, the battle isn't as important to the author as their situation of Laish.  What point do you think the author is making about the tribe of Dan through this account, and specifically through this depiction of the fall of Laish?
• They rebuilt the city and called it Dan.  Then they established the worship there.  Look at the names in the priestly line.  Could we now have a name of the "young Levite", and now know why the spies "recognized" him?  What do you think?
• If this is Gershom of Moses, and he is a young Levite, then when did this actually happen, or how old is this "youth"?
• Most manuscripts have "Manasseh", not "Moses", which would make him a different "Gershom".  If you look at why Moses named his son Gershom (Exodus 2:22), why would it make sense that this young Levite was named Gershom as well?  (look at where he was introduced in chapter 10)

That should keep us well occupied, and probably for more than one week.  Remember to consider how the confusion of acceptable worship of Yahweh reflects on dangers in our own day.  What do we need to learn here?

No Sense of God

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 28 to study Judges 17 and possibly 18.  There are two separate accounts in these final chapters of Judges. I always put them together, and while they do seem to work together, they are not the same characters.  This first account is the migration of the tribe of Dan.

Read through the two chapters together, 17 and 18.  There are plenty of distractions along the way, with funky things people say and do.  My recommendation is to make lots of notes, because you'll get bogged down in the surprises if you don't.

You should have lots of questions.  Make sure you write them down.  Then, with your notes and questions, go to commentaries.  You can revise your notes accordingly, but be sure to look at more than one commentary.  They do not all agree on these chapters.  This is confusing for everyone.

After you have gone through your own study and commentaries, go back through with the questions below:

• The events of chapter 17 happen in the "hill country of Ephraim".  They happen around a man who has a righteous name based on Yahweh.  Why do you think these details might be important, keeping in mind how often they are repeated?
• Micah (Mikayehu in the Hebrew of the first part of the chapter) has stolen silver from his mother, silver which she then cursed in his hearing.  Why do you think Micah stole the money but didn't spend any?
• He confesses to his mother, and she "blesses him to Yahweh". When he returns the money she "consecrates" it (makes it holy) to Yahweh, but, holy to make an idol and a "cast image".  How does something holy to Yahweh then be used to make something He has forbidden?  Why do you think these children of Israel didn't know that was wrong?
• So, of the 1,100 silver, she gives him 200 to make the idol and cast image.  Perhaps a "tithe" of it was for the image (110 silver), and the other 90 for the smithy?  So, do these sound like two images, or one image made of two processes?  Look at several translations, why do you think they have so much trouble understanding what Micah did?
• Micah then makes a "house of God", ephod, teraphim (household gods), and sets one of his sons as a priest.  Sin is "missing", iniquity is "twisting", and transgression is "rebelling".  In your opinion, which one has Micah and his family done here?
• In verse 6, we have the author's explanation of how things got this bad, "In those days, there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes."  But there was worship happening in Shiloh (see 18:31).  So, why do you think a king is such an important detail here for this author?
• Enter the young itinerant Levite from Bethlehem.  He wanders to the hill country of Ephraim and happens upon Micah and his house of God.  What you would you expect the young Levite to think of Micah's setup there in his house?
• Micah offers him room, board, a stipend, and clothes to be his priest in his idolatrous "house of God".  Why do you think the Levite would consent to such an arrangement?
• Micah consecrates the Levite in verse 12.  Then in verse 13, he says he now knows he has found favor with Yahweh.  So, what have Micah (and, most likely, everyone living around him) believed about Yahweh at this point in Israel's history?
• The first verse of chapter 18 probably belongs to chapter 17 as the final say, "In those days, there was no king in Israel..."  That verse also sets us up for the events of chapter 18.  Read both chapters together.  Why do you think they've been separated?

What should be most disturbing about this chapter is the way Micah and his people/family consider themselves devoted to Yahweh, yet worship Him in a Canaanite way.  They have set aside His rules for how to relate to Him for the culture of the displaced people of the land.  In what ways do we endanger ourselves in the same way in this culture?  What steps can we take to make sure we don't fall into the same trap?

The Inglorious End

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 7 to study Judges 16. This is the famous ending of the Samson Saga, a tale of foolishness and faith.

Read through this chapter slowly. This is real familiar stuff, more so than the previous chapters, and it's real easy to gloss over things we should think about critically. Use different translations, read it out loud, put yourself in the mud-brick house with he and Delilah, think about what isn't explicit in the narrative, and think through whether it's missing or didn't actually happen.

Once you your own notes and questions, read through a commentary or two. Use resources on Blue Letter Bible. Revise your notes and questions accordingly. Then go back through with the questions below:

•Samson goes to Gaza. Look at a map of Canaan. How far is Timnah from Gaza? Why do you think he goes all the way down there?

•It literally says, “And he saw a woman prostitute and went into to her.” Why might this not be why he went to Gaza?

•There seems to be some missing element between the end of verse 1 and the beginning of verse 2. We're missing who told the Gazitites. We have the “to” part, but not the “from” part, as it were. Who do you think told the “towns folk”?

•There seems to be some missing element between the end of verse 1 and the beginning of verse 2. We're missing who told the Gazitites. We have the “to” part, but not the “from” part, as it were. Who do you think told the “towns folk”?

•This has to be the worst ambush in human history. The people lay in ambush all night at the gate. Their plan is to kill him as he leaves in the morning, he's trapped in the city behind a closed city gate. It seems like a sound plan, but isn't anyone watching the gate? Why do you think the people of Gaza want to wait until morning anyway? Why not ambush while he's “busy”?

•Samson gets up at midnight, goes to the closed gate, and here, the narrative becomes incredibly specific. He grabs the gate “wings”, doorposts, and the bars keeping them “locked”. He puts all of that on his shoulders, and walks up the tallest hill around (you can see Hebron from there?). How do you think Samson can do this without the “ambush” people hearing anything? Aren't there gate guards, watchmen, old lady's with mill stones, or anyone else at the gate at night?

•The prince’s of the Philistines bribe Delilah with 100,000 silver, and she does it. She knows they will bind and humiliate Samson, so, why do you think she's so disloyal?

•Thus begins the game between Samson and Delilah. She begs to know the secret of his strength, he lies, she tries it, it fails, lather, rinse, repeat. The first time, there is an ambush in her “inner room”. Since we already know this tactic isn’t a Philistine specialty, what do you think happens when Samson wakes and snaps the cords? Do the Philistines pop out to be killed? What do you think happens?

•We do it again, she pleads, he lies, she tries it, it fails. The second time, there’s another ambush in the house. Now what do you think happens? Do they pop out to their deaths?

•The third time, weaving his hair into a loom (seriously?), there’s no mention of an ambush. What do think happened this time?

•Finally, Delilah plays the “you-don't-love-me” card. If there has been Philistines popping out of her bedroom every time she tries to take away his strength, how much sense does such an appeal actually make? Keep in mind, Samson's not stupid, he's selfish, or, at least self-indulgent.

•Eventually Delilah wears Samson down. Literally, “his soul was shortened to death”. Why do you think the author puts it that way, why mention “to death”? How much do you think Samson knows about what will happen to him if he tells her the truth?

•Samson reveals his whole heart (lit. “...all his heart.”). From what he tells her, how aware of his obligations as a Nazarite do you think he was?

•Delilah knows Samson has told her “all his heart”. How do you think she knows?

•Delilah summons the Philistines again, and this time they bring money...and a barber. When they shave the seven braids, it literally says she profaned him, which means to take something holy and make it common. Why do you think nothing he's done so far has done that?

•His strength turned aside from him. What do you think that means? Why personify his strength? (See the next verse, perhaps?)

•Delilah cries out that the Philistines are upon him (conveniently leaving out they came from her bedroom). Samson springs up, but doesn't notice the unusual draft across his head. He thinks he will shake himself free, but free from what?

•The Philistines seize him, put out his eyes, and make him grind grain in prison. But the hair begins to grow again. Why do you think they didn't consider keeping him bald?

•This next section is in great detail again. This is clearly important to the author. The setting is a national feast for Dagon, the Philistine god.  They refer to him as “elohim”, which is odd for several reasons. They celebrate their victory over Samson, and hold a party in what must have been a huge temple to Dagon. Why do you think they wait until a festival to celebrate Samson's demise?

•During the party they bring blind Samson out to gloat over. He stands between the two pillars supporting the temple. How smart is it to 1) support a huge stone building with only two pillars, and 2) put the strongest man in history between them? What do you think they are thinking to do such a genius thing?

•Samson asks the boy leading him around by the hand to put his Hans on the pillars to rest. Why do you think the boy sees nothing wrong with this? Why do you think none of the others saw a problem with it?

•Samson prays, acknowledging Yahweh, and asking for vengeance for his eyes. What clearly indicates Samson's faith?

•There are 3,000 on the roof of this place. There are probably more on the floor inside. And two pillars supporting the temple. It's huge. Samson pushes the pillars asking to die with them. Why do you think Samson asks for that? Considering there probably weren't survivors near him, how did the author know he even said that? So, why is it in there?

•The author points out that Samson kills more in death than he did in life. Why do you think that's important? What point does that make for the author as a summary of Samson's life?

•Samson's family shows up to bury him. Why do you think this important? What does this say about Samson's end?

That should more than occupy us for two hours. Remember to think through how this account reveals how God might be wanting to work through you?

Spectacular Anger Issues

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting November 2 to study Judges 15.  This is the continuing saga of Samson, the juvenile judge of Israel.  This chapter has some interesting Hebrew idiom, strange yet impressive behavior, and also some whiny contrast to incredible feats.

Read through the chapter in a couple of translations.  If one is the King James (readily available online), then use one like the NIV or New Living (NLT).  If you use the New American Standard, then compare that to the NIV or NLT.  The ESV is a good blend of both, as is the Holman Christian Standard.  The Blue Letter Bible app has the HCSB and the .NET Bible (NET, New English Translation?) for free download.  The NET Bible is another good blended type of translation.  Compare those to the King James or New King James.

Once you've read through it and made notes, and jotted down questions, go back through with a commentary or two.  One option you can try (but you'll get mixed results) is to Google Judges 15.  There will be plenty of stuff that comes up, and some may be useful.  Filter what you read using what you've already come up with, rejecting stuff you don't think makes sense.

After that, go back through with the questions below:

• From what is said in verse 1, why do you think Samson seeks out his wife now?  Why do you think he takes a young goat as he goes?
• Her father explains what he did, and offers her younger sister.  Samson refuses, and claims he's now free from blame for what he does to them.  What does that tell you about how he thinks of what he did before?
• Samson catches 100 foxes.  Seriously?  The Holy Spirit didn't move him to do that, he just does it?  What does that tell you about him?  What do you think of someone able to catch 100 foxes?
• Samson ties two to each torch, lights the torches and lets them loose in the grain fields.  What does this sound like to you?  Who would do that?
• The grain in stacks, plus the standing grain, plus vineyards and olives are burned.  It's the harvest time (see v.1), so what did Samson just do?
• They ask who did that, everyone knows who, but they also know why.  What does that tell you about this area, and these people?
• The Philistines punish Samson's ex and her family, but Samson says something really weird when they do.  So, he's there, and tries to stop them, but isn't able?  What do you think happened, how do you imagine the scene?
• Read verse 7 in a few translations, like KJV, NIV, and NLT.  There isn't much difference in meaning overall, but in nuance, there is an emphasis on the fact he says he'll quit after he done which is missing in more modern translations.  Why do you think that would be emphasised by Samson?  What does it tell you about Him?
• There is an odd Hebrew idiom in verse 8.  It says, "He struck them 'leg on thigh'."  Even in the Greek version it reads that way.  Read the verse here on the Blue Letter Bible in the Christian Standard Version.  At the top, switch versions a couple of times to see how other versions translate it.  What do you think it means "hip on thigh" or "leg on thigh"?  Try and visualize the fight.  What does it mean?
• The Philistines now camp against Judah in Lehi.  Why do you think Timnah isn't being visited?  The people seem to know what's going on in that region, why go to Lehi in Judah suddenly?
• The Philistines are looking for Samson.  They know who did what in Timnah, but can't find him.  The men of Judah go get Samson themselves, rather than just tell the Philistines where he is.  Why do you think they go themselves (3,000 strong, but still, themselves)?
• He agrees to go with them, and the Philistines are "very happy to see him."  Look at verse 14 in a few translations.  So, did Samson break the ropes binding him, or did they simply fall off as if burnt?  What do you think, how do you imagine it happening?
• So, using the jawbone of a dead donkey as a weapon, Samson kills 1,000 men.  Think about that, if you need it, Google a donkey jawbone image, how would someone use that as a weapon?
• After the "Great Donkey Jawbone Battle of 1327 BC", Samson spontaneously composes a poem (or song?).  What do you think of him doing that right then?  Imagine the scene.  What's this guy like?
• Immediately after the notes of his soliloquy end, Samson throws the jawbone from his hand, and names the place.  Look up the name in the NLT.  So, what was it before?  It sounds like an old western, "the Town of Jawbone".  We just didn't know it was a "donkey" jawbone.  Why do you think it had that name before all of this?
• He names the place, and then realizes he's "dying of thirst".  Really?  He can't wait to "go into town" or the local well or anything, he's going to die right there?  Think about how he puts that.  What do you think might be going on around him that makes getting away and getting a drink a bit difficult?
• God opened (or split) "a hollow place".  It literally means the "bowl of a mortar", as in a "mortar and pestle".  So, God makes a nice little pool for Samson right there. Samson names that too, and it's there even when the writer pens these words.  So, how seriously did God take Samson's complaint?  What does that tell you about the circumstances? Why do you think God would listen to Samson?
• Samson judges Israel 20 years.  What do you think this means for Samson and the people of Israel?

That should keep us busy for a few minutes Thursday.  Be sure to think through what this means for you and your relationship with God.  What is God like, and what sort of person is He calling you to be?

Spoiled Riddler

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study meeting October 19 to study Judges 14.  This is the first marriage of Samson.  It sets up much of what later gets Samson in so much trouble.

Read through the chapter using a few translations.  Modern translations have a field day using different English idioms for the Hebrew equivalents.  Some literal translations will simply use the Hebrew idioms, but not very many.

Make notes and jot down questions for yourself from what you read.  After you have some notes and questions, go back through with a commentary or study Bible notes.  Once you revise your notes and questions, go back through with the questions below:

• Read the articles on "Timnah".  Considering it's on the frontier between the Sons of Israel and the Philistines, why do you think Samson was headed down there?
• Samson sees a woman and goes to his parents to arrange a marriage with her.  What do you think if Samson's attitude with his parents?
• His father and mother want Samson to marry from among his tribe.  What do you think of the explanation provided by the author in verse 4?
• It seems like Samson is walking with his parents when the lion attacks, but then we're told that he didn't tell his parents.  How do you imagine this scene?
• Samson is overpowered by the Spirit of Yahweh, and he tears the lion with his bare hands.  What do you think Samson thought of that?
• The woman "is pleasing in Samson's eyes".  So, he returns to "take her", but stops along the way to look at the dead lion.  This reads like the author is leaving stuff out.  We can connect the dots without him writing it, but why do you think he is leaving things out?
• Why do you think Samson wanted to look at the dead lion on his way back to Timnah?
• The way the Hebrew reads, the presence of the honey is surprising.  Why do you think bees and honey would be so unexpected in a dead lion carcass?  Why do you think the bees and honey were there?
• Samson scoops out some honey and eats it on his way into town.  And then he gives some to his parents without telling them where it came from.  How does this detail make you feel?  What do you think of Samson? What sort of person do you think he is at this point?
• Why might Samson hide the source of the honey from his parents?
• Samson's father goes down to the woman, and Samson throws a feast. Why do you think the writer is, again, skipping details?
• Where do the "thirty friends" come from?  Who arranged for them?
• What's more fun with your friends than riddles, so Samson asks one.  Where was the lion killed again? (verse 6).  So, why has no one from Timnah found it and the honey yet?
• What do you think might be significant about the clothes in this wager?
• The wager doesn't seem fair since they only have to come up with a change of clothes apiece, but he would have to come up with thirty.  Why do you think Samson does this?
• Read the riddle in a few translations.  This is a unique circumstance where the English actually rhymes.  So, the wording in nearly ever translation is the same, except where the KJV has "sweetness", ruining the rhyme.  What do you think of a "poetic" Samson?
• The 30 "friends" can't come up with an answer in 3 days, and then, on the fourth day...or was it the "seventh day"?  Look up verse 15 in the KJV.  The Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures has fourth day.  Which makes more sense to you?
• The friends accuse Samson's woman of bringing them here to "impoverish" them.  How would a suit of clothes apiece impoverish the "ruling" people?
• They threaten to burn down her father's house if she doesn't get Samson to give her the answer.  What do you think of these "friends" of Samson?
• Samson's woman resorts to weeping.  Okay, so how old is this cliche?  What do you think of her?
• How long does she "weep" before him?  How long was this feast anyway?  The men didn't even ask her until the fourth day.  So, why has she been weeping the whole seven days to know the riddle?
• On the seventh day he tells her, and she tells the people of the "sons of her people".  What do you think of Samson for giving in to his woman?  What do you think of her for ratting out the answer to "her people"?
• Why do you think it's significant that they tell Samson the answer before the sun goes down?
• This through Samson's response to them.  Nearly all translations preserve the Hebrew idiom.  Why do you think it needs no interpretation?  What does it seem to imply about Samson's view of his woman?
• Samson doesn't buy 30 sets of clothes, he kills thirty men from Ashdod for them.  What do you think of Samson's solution?  Remember, he's under the influence of the "Spirit of Yahweh" as he does it.
• Do you think he had the clothes of the dead men "dry cleaned" first, or just gave the clothes to them "as is"?  What do you think it would have meant either way?
• He's angry so he goes back to his father's house.  And the woman is given to one of his friends...So, is Samson married or not?

That should be plenty to keep us discussing into the wee hours of the evening.  Bring your questions and notes with you.