Kelly / Ortlund 1-2 Samuel

A 12-Week Study
1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4335-5377-6
Verlag: Crossway
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, 96 Seiten

Reihe: Knowing the Bible

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) 'Gospel Glimpses' highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) 'Whole-Bible Connections' show how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) 'Theological Soundings' identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on every page of the Bible. In this 12-week study through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, pastor Ryan Kelly offers insights into God's character through the stories of the prophet Samuel and Israel's first kings, Saul and David. With the inauguration of a monarchy in Israel, we see God's continued care for his people as he raises up leaders and promises to be faithful to his covenant by establishing a kingdom that will never pass away.

Ryan Kelly (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is the pastor for preaching at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and serves as a council member for the Gospel Coalition. Ryan and his wife, Sarah, have four children.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Kelly, Ryan

Ortlund, Dane

Leseproben

WEEK 3: ISRAEL DEFEATED, GOD DEFEATING

1 Samuel 4–7

The Place of the Passage

Although the word of the Lord has returned to Israel (1 Sam. 3:19–20), the glory of Israel is about to depart (4:21). Trusting in the ark of the covenant as a good-luck charm, Israel is trounced by the Philistines, who also steal the ark. Eli and his sons die, fulfilling the judgment foretold (3:13–14). God is breaking to pieces his enemies (2:10)—enemies abroad and at home. But the capture of the ark is far from a defeat of God, who can defeat thousands of Philistines without the help of a single Israelite (ch. 5). The Philistines, and later the Israelites, learn that the presence of God is no trifling matter (ch. 6). While Israel can find no immediate solution for the problems caused by the ark’s dwelling among them (6:19–21), Samuel leads the nation in repentance, restoration, and renewal of their covenant with God (7:3–17).

The Big Picture

God will not allow himself to be anyone’s good-luck charm (1 Sam. 4:3), trophy (5:2), or novelty (6:19), but he will hear and help a repentant people who call out to him (7:8–13).

Reflection and Discussion

Read through the complete passage for this study, 1 Samuel 4–7. Then review the questions below concerning this section of 1–2 Samuel and write your notes on them. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 497–503; available online at www.esv.org.)

1. The Ark Captured (ch. 4)

Samuel’s prophetic ministry is celebrated by the nation in 3:19–21. But, although there are several dilemmas for the people over the next couple of chapters (4:2–7:2), there is no mention of the prophet Samuel. What might be the significance of this fact for the opening scene of our passage (4:1–3)?

It was suggested above that when the elders call for the ark to go before them in battle, they are trusting in the ark as something like a good-luck charm. This was not always the case; sometimes the ark rightly led the way into battle (e.g., Joshua 6). But read 1 Samuel 4:3 carefully. What in this verse suggests that the elders trust the ark of God more than the God of the ark?

Giving the name “Ichabod” to a newborn child (4:19–22) indicates how devastating the capture of the ark is for Israel. Based on your present knowledge of the ark, why is its capture and removal so significant?

2. The Ark among the Philistines (ch. 5)

While Israel’s defeat and the ark’s capture seem like setbacks, even embarrassments, it is soon clear that God is orchestrating it all. There are at least four statements in chapter 5 that make God’s sovereign purposes explicit. Where are those statements?

In 1–2 Samuel God often reveals himself in ironic or surprising ways. List some of the ironic elements of the incident with Dagon in 5:1–5.

Dagon’s loss of hands (5:4) is one such irony, particularly in light of the rest of the chapter. How are Dagon’s severed hands contrasted with another’s “hand” in 5:6–11?

God can accomplish many goals at the same time, even with the same events. List four or five of the things God is accomplishing in chapters 4 and 5. Are these things apparent to the participants in the narrative?

3. The Ark Returned to Israel (ch. 6)

The men of Beth-shemesh rejoiced to see the ark returning (6:13), but their joy turned quickly to mourning when some “looked upon” the ark and were struck dead (6:19). Why was a mere look so deadly? (See Num. 4:19–20; 1 Sam. 6:20a; 2 Sam. 6:7.)

In chapter 4, the elders sent for the ark so that “it” might save them (v. 3). But when the ark returns to Israel in chapter 6 and soon proves deadly, they soon wonder, “to whom shall he go up away from us?” (v. 20). What is so tragic about the different words (“it” in 4:3 and “he” in 6:20) in each context?

4. Israel’s Repentance and Restoration (ch. 7)

Based on 1 Samuel 7:1–3, how would you describe the spiritual state of Israel at this time?

Based on the rest of chapter 7, how would you describe (a) the nation’s response to Samuel’s call to repentance and (b) the results that follow?

Remembering that Hannah’s prayer foreshadowed many events to follow, reread 2:1–10 and write down connections you find there with chapters 4–7.

Read through the following three sections on Gospel Glimpses, Whole-Bible Connections, and Theological Soundings. Then take time to consider the Personal Implications these sections may have for you.

Gospel Glimpses

THE PROBLEM OF GOD’S PRESENCE. Adam and Eve were created to experience and enjoy the presence of God, but when they sinned, they rightly felt guilt, shame, and estrangement from him. They covered themselves; they fled and hid. Of course, God came to them and spoke words of judgment and hope (Gen. 3:16–19). But since all of their offspring (save one) have been born as sinners, their offspring are in a similar position of estrangement from God—even enmity (i.e., hostility or hatred) with him (see Gen. 3:15). There is a path to hope, indeed, but it starts with recognition that God’s presence is actually a problem for sinners. God is completely pure; evil “may not dwell” with him (Ps. 5:4). This is what the Philistines learn when they take the ark home. Wherever it goes, judgment is severe, even deadly (1 Sam. 5:11–12). The question asked by the men of Beth-shemesh summarizes the problem for every sinner: “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?” (1 Sam. 6:20). The answer, of course, is that none of us can. Tragically, when left to ourselves, we flee from God and stay in hiding from him; or worse—if we could, we would actually send God away!

THE PATHWAY TO GOD’S PRESENCE. The problem of God’s presence among sinners is not something that can be covered over with fig leaves (Gen. 3:7) or passed off to someone else (1 Sam. 5:8, 10). But when we bring our sin before the Lord openly, confess it, and desire to turn from it (1 Sam. 7:3–6), our sin and guilt can be covered. As David testified, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” But “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Ps. 32:3, 5). Indeed how happy “is the one . . . whose sin is covered” (Ps. 32:1). For those who have so confessed their sin and turned to God for forgiveness, his presence can then actually be a sweet “hiding place” as he surrounds his people with “shouts of deliverance” (Ps. 32:7).

Whole-Bible Connections

THE ARK, THE PRESENCE, AND THE BLOOD. The ark was the symbol of God’s mediated presence, by which God makes his presence known among his people. Angels adorned the sides, signifying that the top was like God’s throne or footstool. It was also on top of the ark that sacrificial blood was poured out on the Day of Atonement,1 signifying the covering of the people’s sin and guilt. God has never forgiven sin by sweeping it under some cosmic rug. We read in Hebrews, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb. 9:22). This principle was demonstrated in the coverings God made for Adam and Eve after the fall2 (Gen. 3:21), in the blood applied to doorposts on the night of the Passover (Exodus 12), and in the many blood sacrifices made by priests throughout the time of the old covenant. Yet, although these rituals taught Israel much about sin and sacrifice, they could not completely take away sin; they were merely foreshadows of the perfect, final sacrifice of Jesus. Only his blood can cover sin once and for all, and provide access to God’s presence (see Heb. 9:24–28; 10:18–22).

THE STUPIDITY OF IDOLATRY. The Philistines think they have beaten Israel’s God. They take the ark and put it in the temple of their god Dagon, as if the ark were his trophy. But God will not be mocked—in fact, he makes a mockery of such idol-foolery. The next morning, the statue of Dagon...