Lesson #03

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1 Samuel

September 21, 2015

Lesson #01

October 13, 2010

Lesson #02

October 13, 2010

RETURN TO SYLLABUS

1 SAMUEL 2
Lesson #03
PRAISE CONTRASTED WITH THE MODEL OF REBELLION

• Memory Verse: 1Samuel 2:1

• Read 1Sam 2:1-11 Hannah’s praise
• This prayer of praise is recorded as Hebrew poetry just like the book of Psalms.
• The theme of Hannah’s prayer of praise is confidence in God’s sovereignty over every aspect of life.
• This prayer reminds us of Mary’s prayer of praise in Luk 1:46-55
• Read Luk 1:46-55
• If we compare these two songs of praise to God we find some similarities:
• Both speak of the holiness, power, and judgment of God
• Both are songs of rejoicing regarding the birth of a son.
• Both speak of God’s power and sovereignty.
• Both speak of God casting down the proud.
• Both speak of God lifting up the humble.
• Both speak of God’s provision for the poor.
• Both speak of the rich who must eventually give account to God for the use of their money.
• Both speak of the holiness of God.
• What differences do we find in these two songs of praise?
• Mary’s song was more quiet and retrained while Hannah’s was more powerfully prophetic.
• Mary spoke about God’s mercy which is missing in Hannnah’s song.
• This is a typical difference between the Old and the New Testaments concerning their understanding of the person of God.
• Hannah spoke of God’s knowledge while that is missing in Mary’s song.
• Specific details of Hannah’s song of praise:
• The phrase, “the horn is exalted” is a play on words that refers to an animal who carries his head high. (1)
• The horn is a symbol of strength, power, and authority.
• The phrase, “my mouth enlarged” refers to speaking with confidence by faith. (1)
• The word, salvation, has a broad meaning that refers to deliverance from anything evil, either physical or spiritual. (1)
• “…neither is there any rock like our God”

(2)

• The word rock indicates a firm foundation for one’s faith.
• It is an unchanging place of refuge.
• The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is The Rock.
• Verse 3 may be addressed to Peninnah for her mocking.
• Verse 6 uses the word, “grave”.
• This is the word, Sheol, which was the place of the dead, both a place for believers and non-believers waiting for the final resurrection during the Old Testament times.
• Sheol or Hades was divided into 2 parts, the place of torment for non-believers, and the place called, “Abraham’s Bosom” for believers.
• Read Luk 16:20-31
• At the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Abraham’s Bosom was moved to heaven and given a new name, “Paradise”.
• This verse speaks specifically of the day of resurrection.
• For the believer the day of resurrection is the Rapture of the Church.
• For the non-believer, the day of resurrection is the Great White Throne that occurs at the end of the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ for 1000 years on earth.
• “…the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S…”

(8)

• The foundation of the world system rests on men of state on whom governments and societies depend.
• “He will keep the feet of his saints…”

(9)

• This may be a reference to Samuel on whom the government would rest.

• Read 2Sam 2:12-17 The Sin of Eli’s Sons

• “…he sons of Eli were sons of Belial, they knew not the LORD..”

(12)

• God’s comment about Eli’s sons is that they were worthless and associated with idolatry and sensuality. Because they did not know the Lord, they were children of the devil.
• Read Lev 7:31, 34
• Read Exo 23:18
• Only a portion of the offering was to go the priests.
• The blood and the fat of the offering were to be consumed by fire on the altar immediately after slaughtering it.
• What were the sins of Hophni and Phinehas?
• They ate all of the offering.
• They claimed their part before the blood and the fat were burned on the altar.
• They wanted it raw so they could roast it themselves, instead of getting it after it had been boiled..
• Why were these small details so important?
• Obedience to God is always important even if we don’t understand it or agree with it.
• Read !Sam 15:22-23
• The most important thing is the attitude of the heart.
• Why is rebellion equated with witchcraft?
• Both rebellion and witchcraft blind one spiritually so that he looses his sense of judgment.
• Both cause a person to lose his sense of loyalty.
• Both cause a person to lose his sense of true spirituality.
• What are the consequences of these sins?
• A shortened physical life.
• The Biblical example is Saul and his sons.
• Personal ministry is take away.
• The Biblical example is Saul.
• In the Old Testament a rebellious son was to be stoned as well as one who engaged in the worship of other gods and idolatry.
• Read Exo 21:17
• Read Deu 21:18-21 (Deu 13:6-11)
• The promise to a household that is obedient to God:
• Read Jer 35:1-2, 5-6, 8, 18-19.
• Read 1Sam 2:18-21 The blessing of Hannah
• In the context of the chapter, Samuel is contrasted with Hophni and Phinehas.
• Samuel wore a blue robe over a white robe just as the High Priest wore because he loved the things of God.
• The white robe represented purity and righteousness.
• The blue robe represented a heavenly nature guided by the Holy Spirit.
• God blessed him because he kept the vow his mother made.
• Read 1Sam 2:22-29 The immorality of Eli’s sons
• What are some of the reasons why Eli’s sons rebelled?
• Eli did not teach his sons to know the Lord (12)
• Eli was a model of the indulgent parent:
• He indulged in the sins of the flesh and so did his sons. (16, 22, 29)
• Eli tolerated immorality (23)
• Eli was a model of a lack of submission to God’s authority. (25, 29)
• The will of Hophni and Phinehas was not broken through Godly discipline. (3:13)
• The parent taught his sons wrong priorities. (29)
• Eli made idols of his sons and honored them above God. (29)
• Eli warned his sons of divine judgment, but he never disciplined them. (3:13)
• Why do children rebel?

The cause	The effect
When a father does not fulfill his promises .	Children get a wounded spirit.
When a father does not admit he is wrong ..	Children lose confidence in his leadership.
When a father refuses to ask for forgiveness .	Children react to a father’s pride.
When a father does not have right priorities ..	Children feel that their father is too busy for them.
When a father is too strict ..	Children suffer a broken spirit.
When a father gives too much freedom .	Children see freedom as a form of rejection.
When a father neglects his parents	Children do not honor the counsel of grandparents.
When a father puts his parents in a nursing home unnecessarily .	Children are taught to reject the aged.
When a father does not love his wife	Children take up an offense for their mother.
When a father neglects God’s Word .	Children reject the authority of God and the Bible.
When a father sacrifices his family for better retirement .	Children develop temporal values.
When a father disciplines in anger	Children have seeds of bitterness.
When a father delegates a child’s education to others ..	Children cease to have respect for him as a teacher.
When a father does not teach his children how to please him .	Children feel rejected and frustrated.
When a father focuses on the outward beauty of others .	Children feel inferior and reject themselves.
When a father is impatient with children ..	Children seek approval from friends.
When a father has inconsistent standards .	Children despise him.
When a father tries to warn only of the consequences of sin ..	Children are challenged to be more successful at avoiding consequences.
When a father lets his wife assume spiritual leadership ..	Children regard religion as childish when they are older.
When a father does not have personal convictions.	Children accept situational ethics and excuse in excess what their father allowed in moderation.

*From Basic Youth Conflicts by Bill Gothard.

• A rebellious nature is conceived in the home when parents relinquish control when the child is small.
• A rebellious spirit is cultivated among peers who resist control in adolescence.
• A rebellious life is crushed by God when he exercises control in adulthood.
• The results of Eli’s sins:
• Verse 24 indicates that the sins of the religious leaders was leading the people to transgress.
• God sent an unnamed prophet to rebuke Eli.(27)
• Read 1Sam 2:30-36 Prophecy on Eli’s household.
• A first warning was given before God pronounced a prophetic judgment.
• The Prophecy:
• A generational consequence.is mentioned 3 times (31, 32, 33)
• None of his descendants will live a long life.
• He will be a disgraced priest (33)
• God will lift up another priest by the name of Abiathar..
• God said he will be “a man of thine”. (33)
• He was descended from Eli and was the great grandson of Phinehas.
• In 1Sam 22, King Saul had all the priests slaughtered. Abiathar was the only one to survive. Later he joined a coup to overthrow David when David was old. Therefore, after David died, Solomon had him exiled. He was a grief to his family. (1Kin 2:26-27)
• God will lift up another priest who will be faithful to God.
• His name was Zadok.
• He was a descendant of Eleazar who remained faithful to David through all the attempted coups. (1Kin 1:8, 45 1Kin 2:35 Eze 44:15-16)
• The prophecy of a faithful priest is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ who is the faithful High Priest. (Heb 2:17 Psa 18:50)
• This prophecy of a faithful priest could not refer to Samuel as Samuel’s sons turned out bad as well.
• Read Pro 22:6
• Proverbs are probabilities, not promises.
• There will be national consequences as the Philistines will come and take the Ark of the Covenant. (32)
• This prophecy was fulfilled in 1Sam 4:11.
• A personal consequence:
• God pronounced death on Eli’s sons both in one day.
• This prophecy was fulfilled in 1Sam 4:11.

HOMEWORK
1 SAMUEL 3
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 2
• As a parent or a grandparent, examine your own obedience to the Lord that you model to your children and grandchildren.
• Pray and ask the Lord to show you what needs to be improved, then ask Him for His strength and help.
• Preparation for 1Sam 3
• For Background:
• Read Exo 27:20-21
• Read 1Sam 3:1-21
• What were the spiritual characteristics of the time?
• What do you learn about Samuel’s character?
• Find some scriptures that talk about God’s call on your life.
• Memory Verse: Romans 8:28 or 1Peter 2:9 (your choice)