1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
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4 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 2007 Editionrecord <strong>of</strong> what happens to individuals and nations when they trust and obey God's Wordor fail to do so have identified the primary purpose. 13For the Israelites, their commitment to obey the Mosaic Covenant out <strong>of</strong> trust in God andgratitude for His calling them to receive His grace would result in God blessing them(Deut. 28:1-14). However if they despised His grace and departed from His will asexpressed for them in the Mosaic Covenant, He would curse them (Deut. 28:15-68).Moses had explained God's "blessing" in Deuteronomy. It included fertility for theIsraelites personally as well as for their herds and crops. It included the ability to defeattheir neighbor enemies and to enjoy peace and prosperity. It also included other materialand social advantages as well as the enjoyment <strong>of</strong> an intimate spiritual relationship withGod. God's "curse" on the other hand would be barrenness, defeat, oppression, and manyother undesirable conditions.In <strong>Samuel</strong> we have a record <strong>of</strong> how commitment to the will <strong>of</strong> God results in blessing forindividuals, groups <strong>of</strong> individuals, and whole nations. This commitment should rest on anappreciation for God's initiative in reaching out to undeserving sinners in grace. We alsosee how disregard for God's Word because <strong>of</strong> a failure to appreciate God's graceinevitably leads to blasting, a curse from God. These lessons are not new; the Books <strong>of</strong><strong>Samuel</strong> are not emphasizing these things for the first time in Scripture. The Book <strong>of</strong>Joshua is a positive lesson that people who trust and obey God succeed. They evenaccomplish supernatural feats and prosper. The Book <strong>of</strong> Judges gives the other side <strong>of</strong>that coin. People who disregard God fail, become unproductive, suffer defeat, and die.The Books <strong>of</strong> <strong>Samuel</strong> continue the emphasis begun in Genesis and Exodus thatDeuteronomy clarified, namely, that our response to God's grace will determine ourdestiny.OUTLINEI. Eli and <strong>Samuel</strong> 1:1—4:1aA. The change from barrenness to fertility 1:1—2:101. Hannah's deliverance ch. 12. Hannah's song 2:1-10B. The contrast between <strong>Samuel</strong> and Eli's sons 2:11-361. Eli's sons' wickedness 2:11-172. Hannah's godly influence on <strong>Samuel</strong> and its effect 2:18-213. Eli's lack <strong>of</strong> influence on his sons and its effect 2:22-264. The oracle against Eli's house 2:27-36C. God's first revelation to <strong>Samuel</strong> 3:1—4:1a1. <strong>Samuel</strong>'s call 3:1-182. <strong>Samuel</strong>'s ministry 3:19—4:1a13 E.g., Walther Eichrodt, Theology <strong>of</strong> the Old Testament, 1:26.