Lesson#31

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1 Samuel

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RETURN TO SYLLABUS

1 SAMUEL 31
Lesson #31
PARALLELS AND PRINCIPLES

• Memory Verse: Your choice from chapter 31.

 

• Read 1Sam 31:1-13
• Remember that Saul’s death and Israel’s defeat were prophesied in 1Sam 28:19.
  • Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s friend, was killed in this battle.
  • Badly wounded, Saul insisted that his armor bearer take his life to prevent abuse of his body by the Philistines if he were taken prisoner alive.
    • When the armor bearer refused, Saul took his own life.
      • Suicide is never God’s will for the individual.
      • God reserves the right over life and death.
• Read 2Sam 1 and 1Chr 10

• Bodies of defeated warriors were put on public display
  • This was done to Saul’s head.
• The great defeat:
  • So great was this defeat for Israel that many cities in northern Israel were abandoned as their citizens fled to safer regions and were then inhabited by the Philistines. (12)
  • The cremation of bodies.
    • Cremation was done to prevent further humiliation and mutilation.
    • Cremation was not normal for the Hebrews except for the bodies of common criminals.
• The men of Jabesh-Gilead had not forgotten Saul’s kindness to them in the past (11:1-11)
• How does the death of Saul parallel the death of Jesus?

Saul	Jesus
His death appeared to be the end of all national hope.	His death appeared to be the end of all national and spiritual hope.
It seemed as though the adversary had won the final victory.	It seemed as though the adversary (Satan) had won the final victory.
His death paved the way for a new plan of operation. (David)	His death paved the way for a new plan of operation. (The Holy Spirit)
His death opened the throne room to David who was once a humble shepherd.	His death opened the throne room to believers who were once miserable sinners.
His death ended an era of dissatisfaction and failure.	His death ended an era of law and turned it to grace.
Saul took his own life.	Jesus gave up his own life.
Saul was wounded.	Jesus was bruised and beaten.
Saul’s body was retrieved by faithful followers.	Jesus’ body was retrieved by faithful followers.

 

• Review of the book of 1Samuel:
• =1= What causes God’s anointing glory to depart?
  • Sin and disobedience. (1Sam 15)
• =2= How does the Holy Spirit work in individual lives?
  • He gives guidance and anointing in God’s timing. (1Sam 10, 16)
• =3= How does one overcome a giant problem?
  • By faith put into action. (1Sam 17)
• =4= What are the reasons why children rebel?
  • Permissive parents and poor role models. (1Sam 2-3)
• =5= What are the results of wrong decisions?
  • One must live through the consequences. (1Sam 27-30)
• =6= How should we respond to opposition from others?
  • We must respond with love and faith. (1Sam 24)
• =7= What results from right motives, but wrong actions?
  • Consequences and God’s permissive will. (1Sam 25)
• =8= What causes deteriorated relationships?
  • Sin and selfishness. (1Sam 14)
• =9= Why do we need to engage in spiritual warfare?
  • We have an adversary who seeks to destroy us. (1Sam 17)
• =10= How does God bring us to trust him?
  • He puts us through testing and trials. (1Sam 18-20)
• =11= What are the consequences of God’s permissive will?
  • Missed blessings but God’s presence remains. (1Sam 8, 12)
• =12= What is God’s responsibility to Children?
  • God guides a life from the very beginning. (1Sam 1,2)
• =13= What are the results of compromising God’s will?
  • A loss of anointing and a loss of blessings. (1Sam 15)
• =14= How does the Lord train people for leadership?
  • He trains through the trials and problems of life.
• Application of the book of 1Samuel:

• Discussion:
• What did you learn that was of the most importance to you and your Christian walk?
• What did you find the most interesting?

The End
May God keep you in His Perfect will!