1 Samuel Chapter 4: 12 opens with a man from the tribe of Benjamin ran from the battle line to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and dirty and dirt on his head. He told Eli what had happened and Eli fell backwards off his seat and broke his neck and died. This is the start of the fulfilling of prophecy Samuel had been told by God in a vision. Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas was pregnant and about to give birth. She died soon after child birth but lived long enough to name her son "Icabod" which means "The glory has departed from Israel!"
Chapter 5 opens with the Philistines relishing in their great victory which included the capturing of the "Ark of the Covenant"; they took the "Ark" from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Ashdod was one of the 5 City States that made up the nation of the Philistines. The Philistines brought the "Ark of the Lord", into the Temple of their god "Dagon". Dagon was a merman idol and the god of the Philistines. When the priests came into the temple of Dagon the next morning, they found Dagon had fallen on his face on the ground before the "Ark of the Lord". Dagon had his head and both his hands separated from his trunk.
The hand of the lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. Think what has just happened. The Philistines had captured the Israel's "Ark of the Lord", brought it into the Temple of their god Dagon, and their god had bowed in front of the "Ark". The Lord will not be mocked, and for this reason, asserted his awesome power before not only their god, but also on the people themselves, by inflicting tumors on them, not only in the city but in the outlining area surrounding Ashdod. The people were begging their leaders for relief from this scourge. They decided to take it to Gath, another of the 5 City States. The same thing happened there as in Ashdod. They sent it from Gath to Ekron, another of the 5 City States. When the same thing happened there, they decided they could not keep it. But what to do? How can we rid ourselves of this "Ark", without the Israelites taking our lives. The Philistines reasoned that they must return the "Ark", but how?
This is quite a development, they were the victors, but the God of the Israelites, was cheapening their victory. Causing fear and pestilence throughout their country. The cries from the people could not be ignored. They would have to do something, but what??
1 Samuel Chapter 3 & 4 Chronological Bible Study of David Continued Post 5
1 Samuel 3: 19 says that Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. Samuel had passed his first test, by delivering a commission so painful, and involving such self-denial and courage, he had proven himself worthy and able to handle the prophetic office placed upon him. God was with him completely, so all Samuel said would be the Word of the Lord, not just in certain instances. This marked a new period in history of the kingdom of God; and all Israel. God was again linked with all Israel from Dan to Beersheba, and the people of Israel again had a place they could go to meet God for guidance and fellowship. Making Israel a Theocracy again. The word Theocracy means: Government of a state by the immediate direction of God; or the state thus governed. (Facsimile American Dictionary of the English Language Noah Webster 1828 Edition.)
While God was establishing Himself again in Shiloh (the place where the Tabernacle was), the consequences of Eli and his sons sins are being played out on the hills of Ebenezer. A battle was being waged between the Philistines and the people of Israel. The first battle raged with the Philistines the victor and approximately 4,000 men of Israel killed. The elders in the camp of Israel reasoned, that the Philistines won, because the people of Israel had left God in Shiloh. Some Israelites came to Shiloh to get the "Ark". Hophni and Phinehas, gladly helped the Israelites bring the "Ark" into their camp. The whole camp of Israel cheered when the "Ark" arrived in the camp. The Philistines hear the great commotion and feared they would all be killed tomorrow in battle at the hands of the Israelites. The battle was fought with the same result that the Philistines had won. This time the Israelite death toll was higher with 30,000, and the whole Israelite army fled to each person's home. In the battle Hophni and Phinehas both died and the Philistines had captured the "Ark of the Covenant". How could this have happened? The Israelites had fallen so far from God, that they treated His "Ark" as an idol. All of things that were accomplished with the "Ark" present, was because God also was present. The Israelites had forgotten to ask God for His help and direction. Their moral leaders were just as lost from God's Ways as the rest of the country. This is why God appeared to Samuel who had no family relationship to Eli and his house. And used Samuel to start a new renewal in Israel, starting with the office of High Priest, Think about what I just said. We could say the same thing about the U.S.A. today. God provides the compass, when we are left to our own, we are very capable of all sorts of evil. Israel is in a better situation because God cares deeply for Israel, and will not let Israel fail. The U.S.A, does not have this same guarantee. The U.S.A. was protected only as long as we lived according to His Statutes, as we drift further and further away from His Word and teaching, we will lose more and more of God's protection.
While God was establishing Himself again in Shiloh (the place where the Tabernacle was), the consequences of Eli and his sons sins are being played out on the hills of Ebenezer. A battle was being waged between the Philistines and the people of Israel. The first battle raged with the Philistines the victor and approximately 4,000 men of Israel killed. The elders in the camp of Israel reasoned, that the Philistines won, because the people of Israel had left God in Shiloh. Some Israelites came to Shiloh to get the "Ark". Hophni and Phinehas, gladly helped the Israelites bring the "Ark" into their camp. The whole camp of Israel cheered when the "Ark" arrived in the camp. The Philistines hear the great commotion and feared they would all be killed tomorrow in battle at the hands of the Israelites. The battle was fought with the same result that the Philistines had won. This time the Israelite death toll was higher with 30,000, and the whole Israelite army fled to each person's home. In the battle Hophni and Phinehas both died and the Philistines had captured the "Ark of the Covenant". How could this have happened? The Israelites had fallen so far from God, that they treated His "Ark" as an idol. All of things that were accomplished with the "Ark" present, was because God also was present. The Israelites had forgotten to ask God for His help and direction. Their moral leaders were just as lost from God's Ways as the rest of the country. This is why God appeared to Samuel who had no family relationship to Eli and his house. And used Samuel to start a new renewal in Israel, starting with the office of High Priest, Think about what I just said. We could say the same thing about the U.S.A. today. God provides the compass, when we are left to our own, we are very capable of all sorts of evil. Israel is in a better situation because God cares deeply for Israel, and will not let Israel fail. The U.S.A, does not have this same guarantee. The U.S.A. was protected only as long as we lived according to His Statutes, as we drift further and further away from His Word and teaching, we will lose more and more of God's protection.
1 Samuel Chapter 3 & 4 Chronological Bible Study of David Continued Post 4
God continued telling Samuel, "I declare to him (Eli), that I am about to punish his house, from beginning to end. (We will see this prophecy come true later in this study.) "And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever." 1 Samuel 3: 13 - 14.
God is telling Samuel all that is going to happen to Eli the High Priest and his family. All Samuel knew about God came from Eli, for the Lord had not yet made Himself known to Samuel. The Bible states that Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, all that God had said to him concerning Eli and his house.
Later that morning Eli came to Samuel, asking all that the Lord had told him. Do not hide it from me. Then Eli went on to say to Samuel, may God do to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all he told you. (1 Samuel 3: 17) So Samuel told Eli everything and held nothing back. Eli said, "It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to him." Notice that after Eli received the information Samuel had given from God, Eli did not do anything. Here is another example of how far Eli's fall from God has developed, for Eli, does not fear God; even when God tells him he should be fearful.
How much are we like Eli? We came to the Lord, started doing all that God wanted; then we became complacent and start to feel that we no longer have to go to Church, or read God's Word. Like Eli, we feel we are doing the work of God, but all of our works are on our own, and not God's. This is the theme of this study. We are studying David and his walk with God. David will show us that walking with God, is more than trying to do God's Will all the time. All of us are on a walk with God. This is true because John 3: 16, says "That God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should have eternal life." If you are part of the human race, you are walking with God, because He created you. God gave you life whether you want to believe this or not. Choosing not to believe does not change the fact that God created you. Choosing to ignore the truth, does not make the truth go away. At some point, you are going to have to make a decision, whether you will acknowledge that there is only One True God, and whether or not you will believe and walk in all His Statutes. We will focus on your individual walk throughout this study; as we look at how the people of this Bible Study act and react to the Will of God; and how God moved in their lives. Maybe, you will be able to spot where God is moving in your own life.
God is telling Samuel all that is going to happen to Eli the High Priest and his family. All Samuel knew about God came from Eli, for the Lord had not yet made Himself known to Samuel. The Bible states that Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, all that God had said to him concerning Eli and his house.
Later that morning Eli came to Samuel, asking all that the Lord had told him. Do not hide it from me. Then Eli went on to say to Samuel, may God do to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all he told you. (1 Samuel 3: 17) So Samuel told Eli everything and held nothing back. Eli said, "It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to him." Notice that after Eli received the information Samuel had given from God, Eli did not do anything. Here is another example of how far Eli's fall from God has developed, for Eli, does not fear God; even when God tells him he should be fearful.
How much are we like Eli? We came to the Lord, started doing all that God wanted; then we became complacent and start to feel that we no longer have to go to Church, or read God's Word. Like Eli, we feel we are doing the work of God, but all of our works are on our own, and not God's. This is the theme of this study. We are studying David and his walk with God. David will show us that walking with God, is more than trying to do God's Will all the time. All of us are on a walk with God. This is true because John 3: 16, says "That God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should have eternal life." If you are part of the human race, you are walking with God, because He created you. God gave you life whether you want to believe this or not. Choosing not to believe does not change the fact that God created you. Choosing to ignore the truth, does not make the truth go away. At some point, you are going to have to make a decision, whether you will acknowledge that there is only One True God, and whether or not you will believe and walk in all His Statutes. We will focus on your individual walk throughout this study; as we look at how the people of this Bible Study act and react to the Will of God; and how God moved in their lives. Maybe, you will be able to spot where God is moving in your own life.
1 Samuel Chapter 3 & 4 Chronological Bible Study of David Post 3
Chapter 3 starts with the Lord calling Samuel. Samuel was brought to the Tabernacle as a child by his mother Hannah. Remember in Chapter 2, we learned that the High Priest Eli, and his two son's Hophni and Phinehas; did not fear the Lord as their positions within the Tabernacle should have been. Their total disregard for the Lord is shown by the Spiritual Leadership of Israel at this time. The High Priest position within the nation of Israel was to be a moral model for the country.
The word of the Lord under Eli and his son's was rare with no frequent visions. Eli was old and his eyesight had begun to grow dim so he could not see. His spiritual eyesight was also dim due to his doing his work according to his own understanding, instead of God's.
This is why the Lord came to Samuel, in the predawn hours when the lamps were low, but still burning. The Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!" Samuel runs to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me. But he (Eli) said "I did not call, my son; lie down again." This happens 3 times before Eli, the High Priest understands that is God calling. (1 Samuel 3: 4 - 8) This is very interesting; why was God calling Samuel and not Eli, the High Priest? Why did it take Eli, 3 times before he understood it was God that was calling. This shows how far Eli had fallen from his rightful place before the Lord. Eli suspects it is the Lord calling and instructs Samuel to lie down again, and if the Lord calls you, you shall say, 'Speak Lord, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3: 9).
There is a lot of information in these first several verses of 1 Samuel Chapter 3. It should be noted that Samuel was a boy, and did not yet know the Lord. (verse 7). Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Be very careful to understand that Samuel was sleeping inside the Tent of Meeting, not necessarily in the same room as the Ark. Since verse 7 says Samuel did not yet know the Lord, he could not have been in side the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of God was kept. The Lord comes to Samuel again, but this time God not only speaks but provides Samuel with a vision, God continues with the statements "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end." 1 Samuel 3: 11 & 12
The word of the Lord under Eli and his son's was rare with no frequent visions. Eli was old and his eyesight had begun to grow dim so he could not see. His spiritual eyesight was also dim due to his doing his work according to his own understanding, instead of God's.
This is why the Lord came to Samuel, in the predawn hours when the lamps were low, but still burning. The Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!" Samuel runs to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me. But he (Eli) said "I did not call, my son; lie down again." This happens 3 times before Eli, the High Priest understands that is God calling. (1 Samuel 3: 4 - 8) This is very interesting; why was God calling Samuel and not Eli, the High Priest? Why did it take Eli, 3 times before he understood it was God that was calling. This shows how far Eli had fallen from his rightful place before the Lord. Eli suspects it is the Lord calling and instructs Samuel to lie down again, and if the Lord calls you, you shall say, 'Speak Lord, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3: 9).
There is a lot of information in these first several verses of 1 Samuel Chapter 3. It should be noted that Samuel was a boy, and did not yet know the Lord. (verse 7). Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Be very careful to understand that Samuel was sleeping inside the Tent of Meeting, not necessarily in the same room as the Ark. Since verse 7 says Samuel did not yet know the Lord, he could not have been in side the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of God was kept. The Lord comes to Samuel again, but this time God not only speaks but provides Samuel with a vision, God continues with the statements "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end." 1 Samuel 3: 11 & 12
1 Samuel Chapters 1 - 3
The group decided to start at Chapter 1 of 1 Samuel, instead of Chapter 16 with the birth of David. Chapter 1 starts with The parents of Samuel, and Hannah's prayer. Elkannah Samuel's father had two wives Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah bore children, but Hannah was barren. Elkannah would give Hannah a double portion as a sign of his love for her. Peninnah would taunt Hannah, because she had no children. Even though Elkannah loved Hannah very much, the fact that she had not borne him any children caused her much pain.
Hannah went to the Tabernacle located in the city of Shiloh, to ask the Lord to open her womb. It was during her prayer in the Tabernacle that Eli the High Priest, came to her and asked if she was ok? Eli took her to be drunk, because she was deep in prayer and praying in silence, but moving her lips. Hannah told Eli, she was not drunk but deep in prayer. Hannah was asking the Lord to bless her with a son and if He did so, she would give her child back to the Lord to work in the Tabernacle. The Lord heard Hannah's prayer and gave her a son; after he was weaned (about 3 years of age), Hannah brought Samuel to the Tabernacle and put him in Eli's charge.
Eli was the High Priest and he had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who helped him in his duties in the Tabernacle. These sons were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. And did not fear God, while a man was offering his sacrifice, they would come with a three pronged fork while the meat was boiling , and thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This account is in 1 Samuel 2: 12 - 16, it has been over 2,000 years since any type of sacrifice of this type has been done. For this reason, if you just read the account in 1 Samuel 2; you won't get the whole understanding of this passage. The book of Leviticus Chapter 1, gives the direction of how the High Priest is to attend to his duty. The part the High Priest was to take from the Burnt Offering prepared on the Altar, not the sacrifice being prepared in liquid in the pots listed above. The sacrifice prepared in liquid is for the Lord only, and is not to be shared by the Priests. These men were stealing not only from the worshippers, but also God. This is a very serious offense to cheat God. Since we are all fallen, we commit this type of sin without even thinking about it. God demands perfection, we are not perfect, this is why we need a Savior! We need Jesus Christ. The end of Chapter 2 of 1 Samuel lists more proof of how worthless these two men were. Eli, their father is also going to receive God's wrath, for not bringing up his son's better, or not disciplining them as adults when they were out of line. Being a parent does not stop when a child becomes one and twenty.
Hannah went to the Tabernacle located in the city of Shiloh, to ask the Lord to open her womb. It was during her prayer in the Tabernacle that Eli the High Priest, came to her and asked if she was ok? Eli took her to be drunk, because she was deep in prayer and praying in silence, but moving her lips. Hannah told Eli, she was not drunk but deep in prayer. Hannah was asking the Lord to bless her with a son and if He did so, she would give her child back to the Lord to work in the Tabernacle. The Lord heard Hannah's prayer and gave her a son; after he was weaned (about 3 years of age), Hannah brought Samuel to the Tabernacle and put him in Eli's charge.
Eli was the High Priest and he had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who helped him in his duties in the Tabernacle. These sons were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. And did not fear God, while a man was offering his sacrifice, they would come with a three pronged fork while the meat was boiling , and thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This account is in 1 Samuel 2: 12 - 16, it has been over 2,000 years since any type of sacrifice of this type has been done. For this reason, if you just read the account in 1 Samuel 2; you won't get the whole understanding of this passage. The book of Leviticus Chapter 1, gives the direction of how the High Priest is to attend to his duty. The part the High Priest was to take from the Burnt Offering prepared on the Altar, not the sacrifice being prepared in liquid in the pots listed above. The sacrifice prepared in liquid is for the Lord only, and is not to be shared by the Priests. These men were stealing not only from the worshippers, but also God. This is a very serious offense to cheat God. Since we are all fallen, we commit this type of sin without even thinking about it. God demands perfection, we are not perfect, this is why we need a Savior! We need Jesus Christ. The end of Chapter 2 of 1 Samuel lists more proof of how worthless these two men were. Eli, their father is also going to receive God's wrath, for not bringing up his son's better, or not disciplining them as adults when they were out of line. Being a parent does not stop when a child becomes one and twenty.
CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE STUDY of DAVID
This is an introduction of this new Bible Study, starting this coming Monday evening. We will be studying the life of David as told through the Old Testament books along with trying to put the Psalms that David wrote in chronological order to help to tell the story. This is not a usual way Bible Studies on David have been taught; we are not totally sure where all of the Psalms of David should go. When we are not sure, we will post possible location of the Psalms, and the number of Psalms affected.
David is a very significant historical figure in the Bible, Not only was he a great king, and military general; but he had a softer side, witnessed by his large volume of Psalms (songs) he wrote. David also plays an important role historically, he is of the birth line that the Jewish Messiah, and the Savior of the world would come from.
David's home town is also significant, because the Roman Caesar Augustus commanded that the whole world should be taxed, by returning to the home of their forefathers, to be registered and then taxed.
In this study, we will show how God used David to accomplish what He had ordained for that time and place. God still is very much part of our world and ordaining His Will still.
The more I study, the more I see God's Hand working. He is still Very, Very Large, and still in Charge. God created the world and everything in it, and is ultimately responsible for all creation.
I am looking forward to sharing this study with you, hopefully, you will gain a greater understanding of God and His Word.
David is a type of Christ, shown in the Old Testament. David unlike Jesus, was totally man and was born in sin. David still shows some of the qualities Jesus has. We will discuss this further as we get into this study.
The prophecy Jacob made to Judah, his son: "Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey my son, you have gone up. He stooped down ; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk."
Genesis 49: 8 - 12.
David is a very significant historical figure in the Bible, Not only was he a great king, and military general; but he had a softer side, witnessed by his large volume of Psalms (songs) he wrote. David also plays an important role historically, he is of the birth line that the Jewish Messiah, and the Savior of the world would come from.
David's home town is also significant, because the Roman Caesar Augustus commanded that the whole world should be taxed, by returning to the home of their forefathers, to be registered and then taxed.
In this study, we will show how God used David to accomplish what He had ordained for that time and place. God still is very much part of our world and ordaining His Will still.
The more I study, the more I see God's Hand working. He is still Very, Very Large, and still in Charge. God created the world and everything in it, and is ultimately responsible for all creation.
I am looking forward to sharing this study with you, hopefully, you will gain a greater understanding of God and His Word.
David is a type of Christ, shown in the Old Testament. David unlike Jesus, was totally man and was born in sin. David still shows some of the qualities Jesus has. We will discuss this further as we get into this study.
The prophecy Jacob made to Judah, his son: "Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey my son, you have gone up. He stooped down ; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk."
Genesis 49: 8 - 12.
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