I. First impressions
1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?
According to the book of SOURCVIEW, the author is anonymous. Who the author was cannot be known since the book itself gives no indication of his identity.
Nevertheless, we can find a clue from 1Chronicle29:29;"All the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer.
Whoever he was, he had recorded the life and times of Samuel, Saul and David. And, the original readers could be the Israelites who lived under the reign of Kings Saul,David and Solomon.
And, in the book of Samuel, we meet many kinds of rebellions of Israelites. For example, in the rebellion of David's son Asalom, we can find another rebellion of David's friend Hushai.
"Is this the way you treat your friend David?" Absalom asked him. "Why aren't you with him?" "I'm here because I work for the man who is chosen by the LORD and by Israel," Hushai replied(2 Samuel Ch.16:17-18). Through this verses we can understand the character of Israelites at that time.
They all insisted they were doing it by the LORD's command while they were doing it for themselves according to their own thoughts and decisions. They were very similar to the pharisee in the era of Jesus.
1.2)What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?
Nevertheless, we can find a clue from 1Chronicle29:29;"All the events of King David's reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer.
Whoever he was, he had recorded the life and times of Samuel, Saul and David. And, the original readers could be the Israelites who lived under the reign of Kings Saul,David and Solomon.
And, in the book of Samuel, we meet many kinds of rebellions of Israelites. For example, in the rebellion of David's son Asalom, we can find another rebellion of David's friend Hushai.
"Is this the way you treat your friend David?" Absalom asked him. "Why aren't you with him?" "I'm here because I work for the man who is chosen by the LORD and by Israel," Hushai replied(2 Samuel Ch.16:17-18). Through this verses we can understand the character of Israelites at that time.
They all insisted they were doing it by the LORD's command while they were doing it for themselves according to their own thoughts and decisions. They were very similar to the pharisee in the era of Jesus.
According to the book of SOURCVIEW, the prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad all kept records, which later may have been combined to form 1 and 2 Samuel. Some think official court historians may have chroincled these events(2Samuel8:16-17;1Kings4:3)
1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:
2Samuel Ch.22:24~26 says "I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right, because of my innocence in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity."
And, 2Samuel Ch.23:1~3 says "These are the last words of David: David, the son of Jesse, speaks - David, the man to whom God gave such wonderful success, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. The Spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: 'The person who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God"
Through these verses we can find that the Kingship was given from God to David who feared God and kept His words-covenant.
So, I regard the theme of this book is Kingship and Covenant.
1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?
According to the book of SOURCVIEW, this book traces the history of Israel from the death of Saul to the end of David's reigh- approximately 1010-970BC. It vividly shows the consequences of both faithfulness and disbedience.
II. Theme Tracing
2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?
In the Hannah's prayer of praise, we can find one of God's character. "The LORD brings both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes one poor and another rich; he brings one down and lifts another up."(1Samuel Ch.2:6~7) Here, we can find God's absoluteness of authority over our Human life.
While, In the David's song of praise, we can find that one more God's character that he is merciful to the humble people only.(2Samuel Ch.22:28 "You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.)
2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
In 2Samuel Ch8:6, it was described as "~So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went." I think this verse prophesies that God's redemptive plan for mankind is not depends on our human's act, but it's like a gift which God gives us free according to His plan.
III. Application
3.1)Personal application:
In the book of Samuel, the most impressive part for me was David's faithfulness risking his life. Every time Saul pursued David to kill him in spite of his innocence(1Samuel24:11), David didn't make a counterattack. On the contrary, not only David did not kill Saul whenever he got the chances to kill him, but also he promised he will never kill Saul and his family(1Samuel24:22). Even though he knew if he spare Saul's life then Saul will try to kill him again, David didn't kill him. What's the reason? It was because Saul was the Lord's anointed one(1Samuel24:10).
Like this, David didn't make a judgement in his point of view, instead he decided his act in a view of God even though it's to risk his life.
Then how about me? Can I risk my life on God's commands? Can I find any one who risk his life on God's commands? Yes, I see many missionaries are living that kind of life. By the way, what make me think that their lives are far from mine?
How can I learn from them and be resemble them?
Perhaps it can be a first step to make acquaintances with missionaries in the campus and listen to their stories. Lord, help me not to pass by or pretend ignorance when I see the missionaries and let me have relationship with them.
3.2)Point of Passion Assignment
I want to help nonbelievers to know and believe in God. Meanwhile, if I cannot convince whether I can risk my life on God or not, how can I make them believe that our God is the only truth and faith is the most precious one in this world? I have to have much more time to have intimate relationship with God. -end-
2Samuel Ch.22:24~26 says "I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right, because of my innocence in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity."
And, 2Samuel Ch.23:1~3 says "These are the last words of David: David, the son of Jesse, speaks - David, the man to whom God gave such wonderful success, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. The Spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: 'The person who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God"
Through these verses we can find that the Kingship was given from God to David who feared God and kept His words-covenant.
So, I regard the theme of this book is Kingship and Covenant.
2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?
In the Hannah's prayer of praise, we can find one of God's character. "The LORD brings both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes one poor and another rich; he brings one down and lifts another up."(1Samuel Ch.2:6~7) Here, we can find God's absoluteness of authority over our Human life.
While, In the David's song of praise, we can find that one more God's character that he is merciful to the humble people only.(2Samuel Ch.22:28 "You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.)
While, In the David's song of praise, we can find that one more God's character that he is merciful to the humble people only.(2Samuel Ch.22:28 "You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.)
2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
3.1)Personal application:
Like this, David didn't make a judgement in his point of view, instead he decided his act in a view of God even though it's to risk his life.
Then how about me? Can I risk my life on God's commands? Can I find any one who risk his life on God's commands? Yes, I see many missionaries are living that kind of life. By the way, what make me think that their lives are far from mine?
How can I learn from them and be resemble them?
Perhaps it can be a first step to make acquaintances with missionaries in the campus and listen to their stories. Lord, help me not to pass by or pretend ignorance when I see the missionaries and let me have relationship with them.
3.2)Point of Passion Assignment
I want to help nonbelievers to know and believe in God. Meanwhile, if I cannot convince whether I can risk my life on God or not, how can I make them believe that our God is the only truth and faith is the most precious one in this world? I have to have much more time to have intimate relationship with God. -end-
I enjoyed reading your psalms and your Samuel homework.Your practical application was excellent. I am glad you are caught up with your homework, lets try to keep it on time. Very good job.
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