1 Samuel 8

We often wonder about the childhoods of really great people. We have very little information about the early years of most of the people mentioned in the bible. One exception to this is Samuel. He came as an answer to HannahŐs passionate prayer to God for a son. God shaped Samuel from the start and he was to become judge, priest, prophet, counselor and GodŐs man at the turning point in the history of Israel.

God worked through Samuel because Samuel was willing to be one thing, GodŐs servant.

 

Before your bible study meeting, try to brush up on the history of Samuel up to chapter 8.

 

1/ As Samuel grew old he nominates his sons to take over his role in guiding Israel.

-       What were the sonŐs negative leadership qualities? (v3)

 

 

-       At the start of verse 3 it says, ÔBut the sons did not walk in his waysŐ. What do you think this means?

 

 

2/ In verse 4, the elders come to Samuel with a new direction plan for Israel. They list a couple of very good arguments for this plan (v5), firstly, that Samuels sons are obviously corrupt and not fit to lead Israel and secondly, that a King may unite Israel and her 12 tribes.

What was the third reason they give?

 

 

At this point try to imagine what God must have been thinking. Verse 7, who were the people rejecting.

 

In this rejection what were the people giving up?  ie Gods protection etc

 

 

3/ Samuel consults God on this news through prayer and then from verse 11, God tells Samuel what will happen if the people pursue a kingdom.

List the things that the King will take –

Verse 11 –

Verse 12 –

Verse 13-

Verse 14 –

Verse 15 –

Verse 16 –

Verse 17 –

Count how many times the word take (or similar) is mentioned from verses 11 – 17.

 

4/ Do the people listen to the prophecy from Samuel? (v19)

 

Was this a prophecy?

How many prophecys from the bible have come true?

 

5/ In the end what does God do?

In the NIV what is the 4th last word of verse 22?

 

We see throughout the history of mankind that we humans seem to want to take, take, take. But as the bible shows us, God is always consistent and constantly gives.

 

 

From this point the first king of Israel would be appointed. Remember it was not the desire to have a king that was wrong but their motives for a king ie. to be like everyone else.

 

Obviously SamuelŐs sons wore a few hats but their spiritual hats were found to not fit.

6/ Do you have a Christian hat that only comes out on Sundays?

 

 

What other ÔhatsŐ do we tend to wear?

 

 

Is it easier to be like everyone else or a Christian?

 

 

1100 years would pass from the time of Samuel before God gives us the final and ultimate king.

The Israelite people were waiting for a warrior king to unite the tribes and lead by force.

Little did they know that in an obscure barn in regional Israel that the King of Kings would be born.

Jesus comes into the world to unite the world with servitude and friendship

 

Read Matthew 3:16-17 and Matthew 8:28-29

One of the arguments, against Jesus, of other religions is that nowhere in the bible is Jesus referred to as the son of God! These passages are very specific and leave us in no doubt as to whom Jesus is.

 

7/ Discuss these passages as if you where there as a witness. List your reaction and emotions.

3:16-17 -

 

8:28-29 -

 

8/Jesus proved who He was by what He said, what He did and His resurrection. He is Gods son and He is our final king. We will stand before Him one day. You are of great value to God and he has shown us just how much he thinks of us by allowing Jesus to give up His life for you.

What is your reaction to this knowledge that Jesus is your savior?

 

9/ With your answers in mind,

a/ list the ministries that are active in our church.

 

 

 

 

 

   b/ list the ones that you are involved in.

 

10/ We are blessed to belong to such a vibrant and God honoring church. We are certainly blessed to have a minister of the caliber of Brett to be our teacher. What are some real ways that we can show our appreciation to Brett, to our Sunday School teachers, our Youth Leaders, etc? List then, do!

 

 

 

 

 

Please pray for those ministries that faithfully present the gospel in our church and indeed throughout the world.

Remember them now and in your own personal prayer time.