Lesson 15

SAMUEL

Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." (1 Sam. 3:10)

Text: 1 Samuel 1-28

Name: "Heard of God" or "Asked of God"

Time: End of Judges period, Beginning of

King period

Place: Hill country of Ephraim

Occupation: Judge, prophet

References: Psa. 99:6; Jer. 15:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20

SAMUEL'S CHILDHOOD
1 Samuel 1-3
· His birth an answer to the prayers of Hannah (1:1-20)
· Given to the Lord as a Nazirite (1:11, 20-28)
· Hannah's prayer of joy (2:1-10)
· Samuel grew up assisting Eli the high priest (2:11, 18-21, 26)
· Eli's death predicted by an unnamed prophet (2:27-36; cf. 2:12-17)

SAMUEL AND ELI
1 Samuel 1-3
· A child who served well (2:11, 18; 3:1)
· A student who grew under Eli's training (2:26)
· A prophet who announced God's judgment against the house of Eli (3:11-18)
· Samuel was established as a prophet in Israel (3:19-4:1)

SAMUEL AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
1 Samuel 4-8
· Philistines defeated Israel and took the ark of the covenant (4:1-11)
· The death of Eli (4:12-22)
· The Philistines and the ark (5:1-7:2)
· Israel defeated the Philistines and Samuel judged Israel (7:2-17)
· Israel demanded a king (8:1-22)

SAMUEL AND SAUL
1 Samuel 9-15, 28
· Samuel meets and anoints Saul (9:1-10:1)
· Samuel instructs Saul and proclaims him king over Israel (10:2-27)
· Samuel's address at Saul's coronation (12:1-25)
· Samuel announced God's rejection of Saul as king (15:1-35)
· Samuel appeared to Saul after his death (28:1-25)

SAMUEL AND DAVID
1 Samuel 16
· Samuel sent to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king (16:1)
· Samuel's fear is eased (16:2-5)
· Samuel anointed David (16:6-13)

SAMUEL'S CHARACTER
· Devoted, holy servant of God (1:11)
· Faithful and favored (2:26; Heb. 11:32)
· Truthful (3:18)
· Honorable (9:6)
· Courageous (15:10-33)
· Humble (Psa. 99:6)

LESSONS FROM SAMUEL
· When we are troubled we should turn to the Lord.
· God hears and answers prayer.
· We should receive God's blessings with thanksgiving.
· We can sometimes judge others unfairly (1 Sam. 1:14).
· We should grow in favor with both the Lord and men (1 Sam. 2:26).
· Like Samuel, we must listen and heed the word of the Lord.
· God's word is truth and will not fail.
· Faithful servants of God are recognized by others.
· God sees men's hearts.

QUESTIONS
1. What was at Shiloh? What happened there? (1:3)

2. What vow did Hannah make? Was she sincere? (1:8-18, 20-28)

3. Name the attributes of God praised by Hannah in her prayer of thanksgiving. (2:1-10)

4. How did Hannah show herself to be a godly mother?

5. Who were the sons of Eli? Contrast them with Samuel. (1:3; 2:11-17)

6. Why did the Lord bring judgment upon the house of Eli? (2:1)

7. What annual circuit did Samuel make while judging Israel? (7:15-17)

8. What did Samuel's sons do? (8:1-3)

9. Why did Israel demand a king? (8:4-9, 19-22; 12:12; Hosea 13:10-11)

10. What was the purpose of anointing?

11. On what occasions did Samuel show courage?

12. Did the medium cause Samuel to speak to Saul? (27:3-19)