Session # 4: Encountering the Historical Books

“Living out the covenant”

Covering the books of Samuel, Kings & Chronicles

The Covenant

“Just as Deuteronomy 32 is a ‘Bible’ for the OT prophets, Deuteronomy 28 specifically may be seen as the ‘Bible’ for the OT historical books.”

(Arnold & Beyer)

The OT is not just history, it is history as seen through the eyes of theology. It is salvation-history!

Deuteronomy

Torah/ instruction & Covenant/ agreement

Understand the lessons of history

Understand the message

of the prophets

Establishing the worship of the one true God

(Deut. 6)

A place for God’s nameA pattern of worshipA holy lifestyle

“Be holy for I am holy”

Removing the worship (& practices) of false gods

(Deut. 7)

Idolatry (Deut. 4:15-20; 32:17)Immorality (Deut. 18:9-13;

& chs. 21-26)Warfare! (Deut. 20:1-20)

Two goals:Two goals:

““The land will vomit you out” (Lev. 18:24-28; 20:22-24)The land will vomit you out” (Lev. 18:24-28; 20:22-24)

““Soon you will cross the River, and Soon you will cross the River, and if you if you obey the laws and teachings I'm obey the laws and teachings I'm giving you today, you will be strong giving you today, you will be strong enough to conquer the landenough to conquer the land that the that the LORD promised your ancestors and LORD promised your ancestors and their descendants. It's rich with milk and their descendants. It's rich with milk and honey, and you will live there and enjoy honey, and you will live there and enjoy it for a long time.” (Deut.11:8-9 it for a long time.” (Deut.11:8-9 CEVCEV))

SALVATION

“God is love” Covenant relationship

SecurityBlessing Life

JUDGEMENT

“God is holy” Outside covenant

relationship…or broken covenant relationship

InsecurityCurseDeath

Prophet - proclaim from his shrine

(one who would represent God to the people)

Priest – serve from his temple

(one who would represent the people to God)

King – lead from his throne

(one who would shepherd the people for God)

KING(leadership & faithfulness to the Covenant)

PROPHET PRIEST(proclamation & guidance) (intercession & sacrifice)

Chosen by (the Spirit of) God One of their own & equal to his peopleDirected by the Law of God

Must not trust in military strength Must not get caught up in sexual immorality Must not be given to greed for wealth

Chosen by GodFrom among the peopleResponsibility to declare the word/ will of God

Given messages by God Called to discern & accept words/ visions from God Proclaim the words of God

“You must listen to him”

Chosen… for holiness (the basin – Ex. 30:17-21)

to serve (the oil – Ex. 30:22-33)

to intercede (the incense – Ex. 30:1-10, 34-38)

“Sacred garments” (Ex. 28-30; 39)

The ephod (representative between God & people) Ex. 28:12The breastplate (prayer & inquiry) Ex. 28:29The golden sign (consecrated to the LORD) Ex. 28:38

(HEB) Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings

(LXX) Samuel/ Kings becomes 1 book (1-4 Kingdoms)

(Vulgate) 1-4 KingsAuthor = an anonymous editor (1 Chron. 29:29)

The records of Samuel, Nathan, Gad…Jasher (2 Sam. 1:18)Theme = “The events of David’s reign” (cf. Ruth 4:13-22)

(Prelude: Saul… Postlude: Solomon)

God’s promise & covenant with David (2 Sam. 7; 2 Chron. 21:7 - cf. Psalm 89:3-4; Is. 55:3; Jer. 33:14-22)

Time period: Monarchy 1050 - Divided monarchy 930 – Exiles 722 & 586 BCE (just over 460 yrs.)

Days of the judges: Philistine oppression (1095-1055)

Samson (1095/75-1055) / Samuel (c.1100-1000)

Saul anointed king (1050)

David anointed king (1010)

Solomon anointed king (970)

Construction of temple begins (966)

Kingdom divided into Israel/ north & Judah/ south (930)

(1st historical record) 1 Samuel: Birth of Samuel – Death of Saul 2 Samuel: Reign of David 1 Kings: Reign of Solomon – Passing of Elijah 2 Kings: Ministry of Elisha – Fall of Jerusalem

(2nd historical record) 1 Chronicles: Genealogy of Adam - Death of David 2 Chronicles: Reign of Solomon – Fall of Jerusalem

Priest (2:18; 9:12-13; 13:8-13)

…anoints Saul (10:1) & David (16:13) as kings

…records the responsibilities for the king (10:25) Prophet (3:20-21; 9:19 “the seer”; 19:20; ie.13:14; 15:22-23) Judge (ie. charismatic leader - 7:6, 15-17)

Contemporary of Samson Second greatest prophet (after Moses)

cf. Jer. 15:1; Acts 13:20; Hebrews 11:32 Pivotal role in transition from confederacy to monarchy

Samson (son of the sun; little sun)

Born c.1100-1095 Lived during 40yr. Philistine

dominance (6th oppression) Lived 1095-1055 (Saul 1050) Mother barren Birth confirmed by an angel A Nazirite Devoted to the LORD Role of the Spirit in his life Premature death (suicide)

Samuel (son of God; heard by God)

Born c.1100-1095 Lived during 40 yr. Philistine

dominance (6th oppression) Lived 1095-1005 (David 1010) Mother barren Birth confirmed by a priest A Nazirite Devoted to the LORD Role of the Spirit in his life Died in old age (naturally)

nazir = “consecrated, devoted, separated one”nezer = a diadem, crown (ie. uncut hair)

Period of consecration “to the Lord”, based on a vow Dedicated to God, endowed with special ability (Amos 2:11-12) Rules for Nazirites: Numbers 6

1. Abstain from wine/ intoxicating drinks2. Abstain from cutting their hair during time of vow3. Abstain from contact with a dead body

Instructions for a violationInstructions for termination

Examples: Samson, Samuel, John the Baptist (Luke 1:14-17) & Paul (cf. Acts 18:18;

21:23)

The vital link between the days of the Judges & the Monarchy (Priest, Prophet & Judge)

His birth through the intervention of God (1:19-21) His dedication to the service of God (1:28) His development under Eli (1: 19-21; 2:18, 21, 26) His calling from God (3:1-21 - when 10 yrs old!) The Philistines & the Ark of the Covenant (ch.4-7) The death of Eli & emergence of Samuel

“Ebenezer: thus far the LORD has helped us” (7:12) Priest & prophet to Saul & David Death (25:1) & reappearance as a ghost? (cf. 28:1-20)

“If you will give me a son (daughter) I will give him (her) to the Lord for all the days of his (her) life”

“The boy grew in stature & in favour with the Lord and with men”

“Those who honour me I will honour” “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” “He revealed himself to…through his word” “Ichabod…the glory has departed” “Ebenezer…thus far the Lord has helped us” “A man after God’s own heart” “Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord

looks upon the heart”

The request for “Monarchy”?

(Compare to Deut. 17)The rejection of “Theocracy”?

(A king…“like the other nations”)

The King (1 Sam. 9) Chosen by God Anointing by the Spirit Commissioned to lead

Always remember the Always remember the king (or a leader) is a king (or a leader) is a

representative representative ofof God not God not a replacement a replacement forfor God! God!

Saul: Bad(A man with a wayward heart)

David: Good(A man after God’s heart)

Solomon: Good Bad(A man with a wise & discerning heart)

His potential (1 Sam. 9:2; 10:6-7; 13:13) His failure – why? …he never learned patience (13:11-12) …he never learned simple obedience (15:11, 22-23) …he never learned repentance (15:12) His outcome …he sought to oppose the will of God (22:6-19) …he became incredibly devious & jealous (18:9) …he was oppressed by an evil spirit (16:14-16;18:10; 19:9) …he was rejected by God (15:26) …he became utterly weak & desperate (chs. 28, 31)

His early years & selection by GodHis victory over GoliathHis relationship with SaulHis friendship with JonathanHis anointing to be kingHis military victories (& compassion)His capture of JerusalemHis covenant with God (& life of prayer)His sin with BathshebaHis heart for worship (Psalms cf. 72:20)

The beginning of his reign His request for wisdom The glory of his reign The construction of the temple (& palace) The ark is brought into the temple (his prayer) The LORD appears to Solomon The downfall of Solomon (women, wealth & false worship) The division of his kingdom (1 Kings 11:11-13, 31) His prolific writings (Wisdom cf. Proverbs 1:1;

Ecclesiastes 1:1; Songs of songs 1:1)

““He ruled over all the kings He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River from the Euphrates River to the land of the to the land of the Philistines, as far as the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.” 1 Chron. border of Egypt.” 1 Chron. 9:26)9:26)

JUDAH (South)JUDAH (South)

1 Rehoboam

2 Abijah

3 Asa

4 Jehoshaphat

5 Jehoram

6 Ahaziah

(Queen) Athaliah

7 Joash

8 Amaziah

9 Uzziah (Azariah)

10 Jotham

11 Ahaz

12 Hezekiah

13 Manasseh

14 Amon

15 Josiah

16 Jehoahaz

17 Jehoiakim (Eliakim)

18 Jehoiachin

19 Zedekiah (Mattaniah)

ISRAEL (North)ISRAEL (North)

1 Jeroboam I

2 Nadab

3 Baasha

4 Elah

5 Zimri

6 Omri

7 Ahab

8 Ahaziah

9 Joram (Jehoram)

10 Jehu

11 Jehoahaz

12 Joash (Jehoash)

13 Jeroboam II

14 Zechariah

15 Shallum

16 Menahem

17 Pekahiah

18 Pekah

19 Hoshea

586 BC (Babylonian invasion)586 BC (Babylonian invasion)

722 BC (Assyrian invasion)722 BC (Assyrian invasion)

“He did what was right… evil in the eyes of the LORD”

Identify some of the key actions they did.How did they view God, themselves & others?What made them good or bad?

Hezekiah 2 Kings 18-20/ 2 Chron. 29-32

Manasseh 2 Kings 21/ 2 Chron. 33

Josiah 2 Kings 22-23/ 2 Chron. 34-35