Please read through my study questions for I Samuel and then through I Samuel 1-14. Which of the many episodes in this book do you find the most tragic? What is the lesson to be learned from this story? Alternatively, choose an episode/incident you find uplifting, and explain why you like this particular passage.Thursday, February 13, 2014
I Samuel--Discussion I
Please read through my study questions for I Samuel and then through I Samuel 1-14. Which of the many episodes in this book do you find the most tragic? What is the lesson to be learned from this story? Alternatively, choose an episode/incident you find uplifting, and explain why you like this particular passage.
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To me, one of the most overlooked tragic episodes of the whole book is poor Ichabod, the infant son of Phinehas. Even though his father and grandfather left nothing to be proud of, Ichabod hadn't even gotten a chance to do anything yet but is still named "no glory" as his mother died. An interesting story for him to tell his grandkids, no doubt.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot of stories and messages in these chapters. The main point that I noticed was the same one that Josh made with the raising your sons right. There's not a whole lot I could add to his two page essay, but I would say that the same thing happened to Eli as with Samual. It's tragic when a child grows up to be evil when the father is a good man. There is definitely a message in that. Part of being a good follower of God is raising your children the right way, not just controlling your own actions.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found uplifting was how God blessed his faithful subjects. Such as Hannah and David. These were definite "good parts," but they seemed kind of few and far between.
I chose Gideon for my hero with warts. I think that he has a lot more warts than hero qualities. From the very beginning he is a lot like most people. He doesn’t believe that God could be speaking to him. Gideon test God with a fleece to make sure he’s talking to the right guy. I think if I started hearing voices, I’d at least hope it was God speaking to me. I’m glad that God did prove himself. It shows he cares about human concern; he was willing to bear with us as we show our warts. Once Gideon has his confidence he does some great things. He unites the tribes, only takes the select few who want to go to war, and tries to keep his people on the right path worshiping the one true God of Abraham.
ReplyDeleteWhere things go sour is after the successful war, Gideon’s people are looking for a leader, a king. He seemed to be speaking with great wisdom when he said he & his son would not be king, God was the only king. Only problem was he didn’t relinquish control completely. His ephod became like an idol, a source of power & the person who controlled it ends up with a little bit of an ego, to say the least. He’s right back to showing his warts, just like the rest of us.
Good comment, but why on this thread? This belonged with Judges.
DeleteIn an odd way I find the story of Eli and Samuel to be extremely uplifting. Eli is a poor father who doesn't raise his sons properly and according to scripture. He would accept God's punishment instead of trying to reform his sons. This is to me is really tragic. Samuel's mother had to part from him due to her promise to God. This is also tragic for Samuel as he would rarely see his mother and probably never truly understand why he was put into the situation he is currently in except that God wills it.
ReplyDeleteDespite how both of these characters have tragedy effect them I found it rather nice to see Eli take care of Samuel. While I had a feeling that Eli was treating Samuel as more of a son then he was treating his actual sons I still found Eli's treatment of Samuel quite nice in the beginning. Especially when Samuel kept hearing voices and Eli helped him know it was God. It may be a simple and brief story but I liked seeing how patient Eli is with Samuel and it makes my imagination go a bit to see how Eli may have instructed Samuel through the years. It brings to my eyes pleasant imagery.
I like Hannah. It is tragic how her life is at first with not being able to bare a child and the other wife, Penin'nah, could. Penin'nah would make fun and belittle Hannah for not being able to have a child. That to me is sad and awful and should never ever happen to a woman. I love though when she prays to the lord for a child it isn't all about her even. She is putting her concerns for her country there too. That to me is a sign of hope in the story about her. I like that about her, that she has all of this faith and extreme optimism towards the future. Everyone has concerns, but it is the people that have hope and optimism that are the strongest. I think that's is what God sees in her too. So he bless her with a child, not just any child but a son, Samuel. That made me feel good.
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