Proverbs

Proverbs

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

This book is addressed to “my son” or “my child” (1:8;15; 2:1; 3:1,21; 4:1,10,20; 5:1; 6:1,20; 7:1,24; 23:15,19,22,26; 24:13,21; 27:11; 31:1,2). The original reader would have been Solomon’s son. Most likely it was also to be taught to the future kings as well because there are several instructions given to kings (8:12-16; 11:14; 13:24; 16:12-15; 28:2; 28:12-16; 29:12,26; 31:1-4). The beginning of the book also says that it was written so that the people might be taught wisdom and learns how to lead disciplined lives (1:2-6). It is therefore probable that these instructions would have been shared with the people.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

 Proverbs claims that the authors were Solomon, Agur and King Lemuel (1:1; 10:1; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1,2). It is also reported in I Kings 4:32 that Solomon compiled proverbs and songs. Solomon was writing to his son but it wasn’t until later that these sayings were compiled. 25:1 states that Hezekiah was the one who compiled the sayings of Solomon. We do not know when in Solomon’s life these were written but they could have been written throughout his life or as final sayings to his son warning and instructing him of the potential dangers that could befall him as king.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

Proverbs is a compilation of various instructions intended to provide wisdom and guidance to its readers, mainly to Solomon’s son.

Proverbs address the power that mere words contain. Several passages address this. Words can provide instruction (4:4,5), bring life (4:20-22), bring healing to the body (4:20-22), express learning (5:3), can be sweet but deadly (5:4,5), deceive (6:17), lead you (6:22), protect you (6:22), advise you (6:22), provide light (6:23), keep you from immoral women (6:24), seduce (7:21), kill (7:21-27), bring insults (9:7), bring hurt (9:7), bring hatred (9:8), bring love (9:8), make others wise (9:9), allow others to learn (9:9), kill simple men (9:13-18), be a life giving fountain (10:11), conceal violent intentions (10:11), encourage many (10:21), be helpful (10:32) be perverse (10:32), guide and direct (11:3,5), destroy friends (11:9), murder or save lives (12:6), bring benefits (12:4), stand the test of time (12:19), win a good meal (13:2), ruin everything (13:3), deflect anger (15:1), make tempers flare (15:1) make knowledge appealing (15:2), bring foolishness (15:2), be a tree of life (15:4), crush the spirit (15:4), give good advice (15:7), bring enjoyment (15:23), bring delight to the Lord (15:26), bring evil (15:28), please the king (16:13), persuade (16:21), provide wise speech (16:23), bring sweetness to the soul (16:24) bring health to the body (16:24), separate friends (16:28), help those with understanding (17:10),  resemble deep waters and bubbling brooks (18:4), bring ruin (18:7), satisfy (18:20), bring satisfaction (18:20), bring death or life (18:21), bring consequences (18:21), bring destruction (19:9), make others wise (19:25), more valuable than gold and rubies (20:15), can lead to trouble (21:23), make you the friend of the king (22:11), be a dangerous trap (22:14), be a waste (23:9),  resemble a kiss of friendship (24:26), take away a good reputation (25:9,10), are lovely (25:12), resemble jewelry (25:12), refresh and revive (25:13), break bones (25:25), bring damage to others (25:18), cause anger (25:23), bring refreshment (25:25), be ineffective (26:2), make you foolish (26:4), prevent pride (26:5), useless (26:7), damaging (26:18,19), sink deep into the heart (25:22), hide a wicked heart (26:23), deceive (26:24), cause ruin (26:28), be taken as a curse (27:14), annoying and uncontainable (27:15), be detestable to God (28:9), bring appreciation (28:23), lay a trap for people’s feet (29:5), bring justice (31:8,9), contain wisdom (31:26), provide instruction with kindness (31:26) praise (31:28)

Because this book was written to sons, there is quite a bit mentioned about various types of women. Throughout the book you see the immoral women, Folly personified as a women, the wise women, contentious wives, Wisdom personified as a women and lastly, the virtuous women. There is quite a bit mentioned about the immoral women in Proverbs. This book provides several warnings to young men about immoral women who can easily lead men astray. Proverbs 4:23 mentions the importance of guarding your heart right before it goes into an in-depth look at the immoral women in the following chapters (5; 6:23-35; 7). You see a contrast to these women in chapter 8 with the personification of Wisdom crying out for people to follow her. She is also personified in 4:7-9. Chapter 9:13-18 then give a description of a woman named Folly. Other passages mentioning immoral women or contentious wives are (2:16-19; 19:13; 20:9; 23:26-28; 27:15; 30:20,23). Proverbs 14:1 gives a brief description of a wise woman. The book closes with a description of what a virtuous women looks like (31:10-31).

The “wise” and “fools” are repeated words throughout the entire book. A majority of the book provides several various contrasts of fools and people who are wise as well as the godly and the wicked. See 10:1,5,8,11,14, 28,30,32; 12:15,16; 17:17,21, 25; 18:6,7; 21:20; 26:4, -12; 27:12,22; 28:7).

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

The main purpose of why this book is written is clearly laid out in the very beginning of chapter 1. Proverbs 1:1-6 says that the proverbs are to teach people wisdom and discipline. They are to give insight, discernment and knowledge and show people how to live successful lives. People will also receive guidance through the proverbs. It specifically mentions that it will aid the simple and the young people but also states that even wise people will benefit. It is also written so that the writers will know truth (22:17-21).

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Through the various addresses to “My son” (see above for references) you see the father heart of God coming through. The Father heart of God that longs for his sons to follow His ways and live a life of blessing is portrayed throughout the book. You also have several references to the joy that a father has over a wise son (10:1; 23:15; 27:11).

You also see God’s wisdom (big surprise I know). Proverbs 8:22-31 mentions how wisdom was there when God created the world. God used wisdom in his creation of the world. A fear of the Lord also leads to wisdom (15:33). When we have an accurate perspective of God, we will also possess wisdom. The fact that this book contains so much instruction regarding wisdom is a testimony to the fact that God loves wisdom and that it is very important to Him.

God is also portrayed as the Creator. Not only does Proverbs 8 mention him creating the world, but Proverbs 30:4 mentions refers to Him as being the One who created the world and is bigger than things like the wind and oceans. This is not one of the characteristics that I would expect to be in this book but it is logical because realizing that God is indeed the Creator of everything gives solid evidence to the fact that His ways are higher and wiser than ours.

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In Proverbs 30:4 you see a foreshadowing of Christ. The writer is asking for the name of God’s Son implying and revealing that He has a Son. It is interesting that God is mentioned as having a Son seeing as this book was written from a father to his son. You also see the Father heart of God coming out here as well.

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

I think that the biggest thing that struck me from Proverbs was how crucially important words are. With what I say I either tear people or build them up. Proverbs 3:27-29 states that we are not to withhold good from those who deserve it when we have the power to help them. How many times have I failed to help people by failing to give them just the simple words of encouragement or thankfulness that they needed to hear? Failing to speak life or simply remaining silent are bad just like the speaking of death. If I know that I am to love, encourage and build up others and then fail to do it, isn’t this considered to be sin (James 4:17)? May the Lord provide me with the grace that I need to not only refrain from speaking evil but also go an extra mile and speak good out into the lives of others.   

2.     Point of Passion-Leaders

Because a king wrote this to his son, it is filled with instructions for leaders. There are several references that refer to characteristics that a king or ruler should possess. Proverbs 8:15-21 reveals how important it is for leaders to be filled with wisdom. It says that through wisdom, kings reign, rulers lead and nobles make righteous judgments. Proverbs 11:14 reveals the importance of a nation having a wise leader stating that if they do not, the nation falls. 28:2 states that wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability to a nation. When this is not in place, moral rot begins to grow and the government topples. Wise leaders bring stability and they also provide joy to those who are under their rule 29:2,4.  Proverbs 16:10-15 states that leaders are to judge with wisdom and justice because God loves accurate scales and balances. He is to be a man who does not approve of wrongdoing or dishonesty but rather to be a lover of righteous lips and honesty. Those kings who judge the poor fairly are ensured a lasting throne (29:14). People who are underneath a wicked leader will eventually begin turning away. In Proverbs it says that the advisors of a leader who pays attention to lies will become wicked.

There also instruction throughout the book provided regarding wise and immoral women and the training of children by parents as well as the importance of following parental advice (Prov 1:8,9; 3:1-4; 4:1-4; 6:20-24; 7:1,2; 22:6; 23:13,14; 29:15). These are basic instruction for young leaders who will eventually be stepping into the role of leadership passes down to them. 

I & II Kings

I & II Kings

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

The original readers would have been the Israelites while they were in exile. 2 Kings 25 closes with Nebuchadnezzar capturing Jerusalem and destroying the temple. It says in verse 8 that this was in the fourth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The people would have had these books written after they had strayed away from the Lord. Because there is such a strong focus in these books on the spiritual, it would have provided the Israelites with a very clear description of their disobedience and the reason why they were in exile.  

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

It is not clear who the author of I & II Kings was. We know that he lived after the captivity of Jerusalem. It is very likely that these books could have been written by one of the prophets during the time of the exile. There is a strong emphasis on the spiritual state of Israel and Judah in these books. The author was focused on clearly conveying the downward spiritual spiral that the nations lived out. You see several brief references to other books throughout these chapters mentioning where to find other information regarding the reigns of the kings (I Kings 11:41; 14:19; 15:7,23,3; 16:5,14,20,27; 22:39,45; 2 Kings 8:23; 10:34; 12:19; 13:8,12; 14:15-17, 28; 15:6,11,15, 21, 26, 31, 36; 16:19; 20:20; 21:17, 25; 23:28; 24:5). It is apparent that military exploits, building projects and other accomplishments of the kings were not the focus of the book that the author intended. The author was someone who was very familiar with the currant state of the Israelites and knew the current and past details of the spiritual state of their nation.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

The books of Kings are a synopses of the good and evil kings of Israel and Judah that reveals the spiritual status of these kings while also revealing God’s heart and His attempts through the prophets to bring them back to him.  

Idolatry is a major theme seen throughout these two books. Over and over again you see the words “Baal” and “Pagan shrines” “and “idols” used frequently. You also see over and over the phrase, “followed in the example of Jeroboam” used very often. Israel and Judah both had numerous wicked kings that led the nations further away from God. Their inability to love and worship Him alone appears to be God’s major concern expressed throughout the book because of the numerous mentions of how the people failed to do this and keep their covenant with God (I Kings 11:4-6; 12:26-33; 13:33,34; 15:14,34; 16:13,19,25,26, 32,33; 22:51-53; 2 Kings 8:16-18,2-27; 10:31; 13:1-3, 10-11; 14:1-4; 14:24; 15:8-10; 15:17-18,27,34; 16:1-4; 17:1, 14-22,29-31; 21:1-7,19-22; 23:31,32; 36; 24:8,9,18-20).

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

       I & II Kings was written to give the Israelites a reason for while they were in exile. The book closes in 25 with the destruction of the temple and the people being led away captive. These books would have served as reminders to the people while they were in exile of how and why they were there and not residing in the land the Lord originally gave them (17:7-28; 21:10-15; 22:15-17).

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

I & II Kings reveal that God is a God who does keep His word. He always does what He says. God does what he promised He would do to the children of Israel in Deut 28 in bringing them out of the land that He gave them to possess. You see throughout these books how frequently the people are turning from God. In His mercy He tries to warn them multiple times through the prophets (2 Kings 17:13-15) but they refuse to listen so He turns over both Judah and Israel to their enemies (2 Kings 17:18-22; 25).

Yet even in this, you see God’s faithfulness. He is faithful to warn them and faithful even in the fact that He is bringing them into captivity because it is through this that they will turn their hearts back to Him.

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

The books of Kings reveal Israel’s ultimate need for redemption and a Redeemer. Despite the fact that some of the kings were godly and several prophets were sent to them, the people still ended up straying further and further away from the Lord. A better redeemer or system of redemption was needed. This would bring more of an awareness of a need for the Messiah.

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

I loved the story from 2 Kings 3:16-27. God promises that he is going to do the impossible and fill a dry valley with pools of water and bring about a victory for Israel’s army. It seems it is impossible, but that is literally what the Lord does the very next day. It says in verse 18 that God says it is “only a simple thing” for Him. You also see God doing the impossible during the famine that Israel experiences in 2 Kings 6 and 7. God promises that by tomorrow the prices for food are going to plummet despite the fact that the famine is so great that people are literally eating their own children. It is so impossible that the king’s officer claims, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven” and because of his doubt he doesn’t get to enjoy the work of God’s hands. These stories are just reminders to me that I am to have faith in and believe that God is able to do the things that I deem to be impossible. Not only can he do the impossible, he wants to do the impossible and he wants to do it quickly. What kind of attitude do I manifest in my life about what God’s promises? Do I question them? Am I like the official that claims that even if God were to open heaven, He couldn’t do this? Or do I live out every action and every attitude of my life as if what He has promised has already happened? I want to continually live expectantly before the Lord in faith never doubting what He has promised but allowing every action and every word to demonstrate that He has spoken to be true.

2.     Point of Passion-Leaders

In I Kings you have the prime contrast to the leadership of King David in the story of King Jeroboam. King Jeroboam was a bad example to the future kings. I Kings 11: 26-14 tells how God makes Jeroboam king despite the fact that he is only an official. God swears that if Jeroboam obeys His commands, God will give him an everlasting kingdom like that of David. Yet, because Jeroboam fails to believe what God has promised him and allows fear to effect his decisions, he ends up departing from the Lord and setting up idols for the people to worship. Not only does he set up pagan worship but he imitates the worship that is done in Judah making it appear similar to what was commanded when it was still disobedience (12:32). He also allowed common people to be priests and let anyone who wanted to be a priest for the high places (13:33).  In other words, he allowed fear, doubt, convenience and the desires of the people to dictate how to worship “god”. He was the first king to stray from the Lord to this extreme and he was the one that set the example for future kings. Over and over throughout kings you find the phrase that says, “He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.” (See passages above under main themes and repeated ideas). It is amazing that out of one little bit of doubt over a promise from God, generations of kings were led into idolatry and ultimately the entire nation was led into captivity. As a leader, your faith and decisions affect not only you, they effect several generations. What kind of legacy are you leaving in your wake? 

Psalms

Psalms

Psalm 147 Rewritten

YAY God

It is so awesome to sing about how awesome God really is

It is the most joy filled and appropriate response

God is restoring places that have previously been destroyed

He is bringing people home who have been held captive

He fixes hearts that are broken

He puts bandaids over places that are bleeding

He knows how many stars exist in space 

and He has specific names for every one of them

God is so big. His power is more than sufficient

He understands way more than we can figure out

The Lord is someone to lean on for those who show humility

but he has to pull down evil people

Thank God by singing to Him

Pick up an instrument and use it to give God praise

He is the one who makes a way for rain to come from heaven to earth

so that life can grow

He makes sure that the most wild are not hungry

He also ensures food to the most helpless ones who need Him

He is not impressed with guns or muscles

Nope! God is delighted with people who believe He is good and powerful

He is delighted with those who hope for his love to never die

Everyone who is filled with God’s spirit should glorify Him

If that is you, you should praise YOUR God

He has given you the most up to date viral protection

and your greatest locked up treasures are taken care of

He mails peace out to every part of the country you live in

and makes you completely content by giving you the highest quality 

of what you want and need most

The entire globe gets directions from Him

what He says is conveyed extremely fast

What he sends from heaven is pure white

he can easily sprinkle it anywhere on the earth

He is able to forcefully hurl hard objects from heaven

Who can argue with what he brings or does?

Afterwards, He simply gives the word and everything changes

He uses what cannot be seen to make what is hard disappear

He has given new understanding to the one he made promises to

He has helped an entire group of people see what He has said

He hasn’t done this for everyone

Other people don’t know what he has instructed

YAY God!

Character Study of David

1. Humility-David was a huge example of someone who lived out humility. There are several instances through I & II Samuel of him choosing to walk humbly before God and others despite the fact that he was the king and the most influential person in the nation. One such instance is in 2 Samuel when David plans to head out to battle with his men. His men strongly object telling him that he should not go with them and he humbly submits to their advice stating, “If you think that’s the best plan, I’ll do it.”. You also see David’s humility come through in 2 Sam 23:13-17. His men risk their lives to provide David with water and he doesn’t abuse what they gave him. Even though he was their leader he doesn’t abuse his position, but realizes the risk that his men went through for him and chooses to highly value what was given to him. David also shows amazing humility by instantly repenting of his sin with Bathsheba by Nathan the prophet in 2 Kings 12:14 and Psalm 51. He instantly acknowledges his sin and chooses to turn away from it. He doesn’t argue with God nor does he try to defend himself but rather walks in complete humility before the Lord. God responds to His humility with favor by forgiving him and removing death from Him (2 Samuel 12:13,14).

2. Faith-David exhibited so much faith during his lifetime. Before he became king he was put in several situations where he was provided with the opportunity to put his trust in the Lord and trust that He would fight for him. One of the most apparent examples is in his battle with Goliath (1 Sam 17). David has complete confidence that even though he is small and insignificant by all appearances, God is going to give him victory over this seemingly insurmountable giant that no one else thought he could conquer. He presents his case before Saul saying, “The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine.” He had previously seen what God was able to do and he believed that God could do the same thing in even more significant areas. But David also shows a great amount of faith in God by choosing to refrain from fighting for himself for the kingship even though God has promised to give it to him. He wanders all over the wilderness, living in caves and almost dying, waiting on God to deliver and rescue him (1 Sam 21-31). He went through a lot of difficult experiences but he persevered. David also refrains from killing Saul twice despite the fact that he was provided with the opportunity to have him killed and removed standing in the way of his future kingship (1 Sam 24:1-22; 26). David chose to have faith in God, knowing that what God had promised to give him, he would receive in God’s timing. Psalm 54 also gives an example of how David was crying out to God during these times of wandering the wilderness. God  was so impressed with David’s faith that he is mentioned in the faith chapter (Heb 11:32-34). Even though God doesn’t give an in-depth explanation of how David in particular exhibited faith, God still wanted him included in the list which is pretty significant. 

3. Hope-David was put in a lot of situations where he would have had valid reasons for not hoping. He was betrayed by his father-in-law who chased him for years. He had to wait years to see the promise of being the next king fulfilled. He was robbed of his family and possessions and almost killed by his own men. Yet over and over in Psalms you see David stating that His hope is in the Lord. He realized that the Lord was the only one who was able to come through for him in all of his difficult situations and that is where he put his hope. See Psalm 31:24; 39:7; 62:10-12; 131:3. You see God respond to David when he chooses to rely on and find his strength in Him. He answers him (I Sam 30:2-8). 

4. Worship- David was obviously one of the greatest worshipers found in the Bible. Not only did he write tons of Psalms but he exhibited a heart of worship. You can see this in his prayer to God from Psalm 51. David was also a harpist and a dancer. 2 Samuel 6:12-23 says that David openly danced before the Lord. It also says that David went in before the Lord to worship after his child had died by the Lord’s hand (2 Samuel 12:26). Also, when David goes to purchase the land from Araunah the Jebusite’s, he refuses to accept it for free because he does not want to present any offering to the Lord that doesn’t cost him something (2 Samuel 24). David’s heart was in love with the Lord. God’s response to David’s heart of worship was exalting him and referring to him as being, “a man after my own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) and you see his heart of worship expressed over and over again throughout his life. 

5. Patience- David was faithful to be patient for the Lord to act for him.  You find Saul in 1 Samuel 13 growing inpatient and failing to wait on the Lord which ultimately costs him the kingdom. In contrast, David constantly waits on the Lord to fight his battles. In Psalms you see him declaring before the Lord that God is the one that David constantly waits upon. It says in I Samuel 23:13 that when David was hiding from Saul, “God didn’t let David find him.” God was protecting David as he waited on the Lord. Not only that but God allows Jonathan, David’s dearest friend, to be sent to him to encourage him and confirm to him that he will be the next king of Israel (23:15-18).

I & II Samuel

I & II Samuel

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

The original readers would have been the Israelites who lived sometime after the reign of David. The beginning of the book starts right before the time of Samuel and the books close with David reigning as king. It is very likely that these books would have been written sometime after David’s reign.  1 Sam 1 tells the story of Samuel’s birth and 2 Samuel 23 records David’s last words.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

It is very likely that more than one author wrote these books. In Samuel you find sections where it appears that different segments of books were compiled together providing the readers with material that is not in chronological order (I Samuel 16:18; 17). The story of the census at the end of 2 Samuel is most likely not in chronological order seeing it comes at the end of the book and after the last words of David resembling a tag.  The author also knew a great deal about Samuel, Saul and David and was very concerned with the spiritual state of the nation and the kings. This is evident by the amount of material discussing the spiritual nature of the nation and its kings. It is most probable that the author could have been Samuel or one of his assistants.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

I & II Samuel provides its readers with an in-depth look at their first two kings, showing them what happens when a king forsakes the Lord and reveals the godly heritage that David’s descendants possess because of his devotion to the Lord.

Throughout this book you see several examples of bad family relationships.

Not only do you see Saul’s riffs with his children and despising of his wife, but you also see that David has a bad relationship with his brothers, son Absalom and fails to train his son Amnon correctly which leads to Amnon’s death. I Sam 17:28-29; 19:11-17; 20:27-34; 2 Sam 13:20-22; 14:23-32

You also see jealousy, revenge, murder and conflict over power throughout these books. I Samuel describes Saul as constantly jealous of David and trying to destroy him (1 Sam 18:6-11; 19:1,9-17; 20:24-34; 22; 24:1,2; 26:1-4;) You also have Joab killing Abner and Amasa in cold blood out of revenge and jealousy (2 Samuel 4:22-27; 20:1-13). Absalom is jealous for his father’s throne and even tries to take the throne away from his father (2 Sam 15-17).

Humility is a major theme throughout these books as well. David gives multiple examples of what humility looks like. Over and over again he refuses to take revenge or vengeance for himself but chooses to let God fight his battles. He also listens to the advice of his men and receives correction from the Lord. Over and over you find him waiting on the Lord and choosing to submit to Him in humility instead of fighting for himself (23:9-14; 24:1-7; 25:32-39; 30:1-6; 2 Sam 1:1-17; 4:5-12; 9; 12:26-31; 18:1-4).

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

I & II Samuel provided Israel with an in-depth look at their first two kings. During the time this was written the Israelites were on the verge of heading into spiritual depravity through the various evil kings that were to shortly arise. 1&2 Samuel gave them an excellent contrast revealing the consequences that befall an evil king and the blessings that come to a king who chooses to follow the Lord. Saul fails to obey the Lord resulting in the departure of God’s presence. Saul then does all he can to hold onto the throne in his own strength. You eventually see the ruin that comes to him because of his failure to obey the Lord. In contrast you see David, who is chosen to be king, over and over again refusing to fight for himself despite the fact that he is chosen to be the new king. He chooses to allow God to fight for him and faithfully follows the Lord till the very end of his reign. You see the covenant that God chooses to make with David promising him that his reign will never end. The author gives the Israelites two strong examples regarding what will befall them when they obey the Lord and what will befall them when they do not.

The author was also providing David’s line with a record of the promises that God made to their line and providing them with an example of how they should seek the Lord as their ancestor David did. It also shows the creation of the kingly line of the future Messiah.

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

These books reveal a God who fights for those who put their trust in Him. Over and over David chooses not to take revenge against those who betray or attack him and God constantly fights on His behalf. You see a God who truly delights in fighting for those whose heart is perfect towards Him (17; 25; 27; 17:14).

You also see God as a mighty Deliverer. Over and over God is constantly delivering David from his enemies and from bad situations. God delivers him from killing Nabal. He also delivers him from being put in a hard situation of having to choose between fighting against Israel and risking the wrath of the Philistines (4; 20; 25; 27).

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

You find the Davidic covenant that God makes with David in II Samuel 7. God promises David that his descendants will always be on the throne. This is made possible through the future Messiah coming through the line of David. God is setting up a kingship through which He will ultimately bring the greatest king-the Messiah (verse 13).

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

One of the biggest things that stood out to me from these books was David’s amazing humility and his ability to wait on the Lord. He never forgot that he was a “rags to riches” story. He knew that God took him from tending sheep and made him king. The fact that he never tried to fight for and take over what rightfully belonged to him amazes me. He had enough faith and trust in the Lord that God was able to come through on what he said, despite the fact that he had to wander in caves and live in a wilderness. Despite all this, he still had the faith to believe that God in His perfect time would exalt him to the place that he had called him to. But until the time that he became king he was willing to walk humbly before the Lord in the lowest places. Then, after he becomes king, he still understands that his kingship is only given him by God. It is not something that he has to hold onto. God continually fights for him as in the story of Absalom attempting to take over David’s throne. Right now, even though it may seem that I am in a wilderness, I want to be considered faithful to humbly walk before God expecting Him to be the one to work in my life. I don’t want to be like Saul and “jump the gun” on what God wants to do in my life. I want to humbly wait in patience for his timing. And when his promises do come true, I want to continually remain humble, knowing that any good thing that I receive is only a gift from Him and is a result of what He has done and now what I have done.

2.     Point of Passion-Leaders

You clearly see contrasts between godly leadership and evil leadership throughout these books. I Samuel starts out with a contrast between Eli’s wicked sons and Samuel (1 Sam 2,3). Eli’s sons were destroyed and Samuel was chosen to be a key prophet in the nation at this time. You also see Saul getting put into power and choosing to trust in his own strength instead of relying on the Lord. He was too afraid to trust the Lord with the kingdom he was given (I Sam 13). You see this in his disobedience and his attempts to kill David. In contrast you see David who is chosen to be the next leader never fighting for his position as was common for kings of that time to do. He never tries to take over what rightly belongs to him. (1 Sam 24, 26). Even after he becomes king, David still is relying on the Lord, trusting God to fight his battles for him. He is aware that his position comes from the Lord and he expects the Lord to defend that position for him (16:5-13; 16-18). You see the blessings that come upon David and his future line as a result of his obedience to the Lord (2 Sam 7). Likewise you clearly see the destruction that befalls Saul and his descendants because of his negligence in obeying the Lord (I Sam 31; 2 Sam 4, 21).