1st And 2nd Samuel (2015)

Do you think of voodoo magic when you hear about witchcraft? Listen to this lesson to learn what the Bible uses as a comparison to the occult. Hear a number of Scriptures that emphasize why we should obey authority. See an explanation of rebellion beginning with the angelic revolt in eternity past and find how out all things will be brought under submission to Christ at His Second Coming. Look inward and see where you rebel against God verbally, by your thoughts, or by your actions.

Does God ever regret or become sorry for anything? Listen to this lesson to learn that God never changes and when Scripture applies certain figures of speech to God, it is to help us understand His policies. Hear Saul’s rationalizations for disobeying God and how we all have arrogance skills we need to confess. Understand that God prefers obedience from us rather than our sacrifices or going through rituals.

What instructions did God give to Israel when they went to war? Listen to this lesson to learn that the priests were to tell the military about the terms of warfare. See that not all war was to destroy civilizations, but only those people who had flaunted God’s grace for many, many years were to be utterly annihilated. Hear how Samuel told King Saul that God was the ultimate authority. Learn from this lesson that when things are not going right in our lives we need to keep our eyes on God and His character.

What can we learn from the conquest of the land when the Israelites were entering under Joshua’s command? See that archaeologists have located many of the sites of these battles. Hear about some of the controversy that occurs in deciding on an exact location. See that the wars that destroyed evil civilizations were a part of God’s sovereign plan and had to be carried out in strict accordance with His justice and righteousness. Learn about how one man sinned and 36 of the military were killed in battle. See that sin in our life must be dealt with by confession.

Are Christians supposed to destroy evil? Listen to this lesson to hear that God does not authorize individual acts of violence against evil people. Learn how God, under the principle of charam, used the Israelites to remove evil civilizations from the Promised Land. Learn how the archeological studies done in the site where Jericho was located substantiates what the Scripture says and can give us confidence in the Word of God.

Does God ever call for a holy war such as the Crusades? Listen to this lesson to learn that for a certain period of time after the Jews were given their land God authorized certain evil groups of people whose sins defiled the land to be destroyed under a principle called charam. See how this warfare differs from the Islamic belief of jihad. Find out that believers today are to engage in spiritual warfare with the same determination to root evil out of their own lives.

Was King Saul of Israel a thoroughly bad king? Listen to this lesson to hear that he was a good king in certain ways when he protected the people and secured the borders of his country. On the other hand he, like so many believers, compromised with his sin nature and became blind to his own faults. He wanted to write his own rules and not obey God’s authority. See Samuel’s condemnation of this attitude and how he ordered Saul to kill the Amalekites. Understand that God desires us to obey Him and respect His authority more than outward shows of worship.

Have you ever done or said something foolish? Listen to this lesson to learn that all of us are guilty of this at times but with King Saul it became a way of life when he failed to obey God. Continue hearing about the battle of Michmash and how Saul’s son, Jonathan, trusted the Lord and took initiative. Learn about Jonathan’s faithful armor bearer and how they won the battle. See the consequences of Saul’s foolish oath and how Jonathan accidentally disobeyed it. When you’re facing difficult decisions in your life, remember that the battle is the Lord’s. Human circumstances don’t deter Him and He will take care of all your needs.

If you enjoy studying warfare, this lesson is for you. Listen to hear about a battle between the Israelites and Philistines in a rugged area where King Saul tried to seek deliverance through religious observance but his son Jonathan focused on spiritual truth. Learn that there is no problem too big for the grace of God and that the battle is the Lord’s. Find out the meaning of a “man according to God’s own heart”. As we face our own battles in a pagan nation, we can learn to engage and defeat our spiritual enemy by trusting God and focusing on His Word.

What do the battles in the Old Testament have to do with us? Listen to this lesson to learn that they stand for the spiritual warfare we face in our own lives. Follow what happened to King Saul when he engaged in a battle with the Philistines and how the people panicked and hid in caves and anywhere they could find a hole. See that Saul also panicked and refused to wait for the Lord, offering a sacrifice outside the will of God. Hear the punishment Samuel announces on Saul for this act of disobedience. Understand that we are to obey God out of love for Him, and not in legalism.

"Why is God letting this happen to me?” Listen to this lesson to see how Samuel reminds the Israelites of the children of Israel who complained and rebelled against God when they were traveling from Egypt to the Promised Land. Hear about seven of these events and how God punished them. Learn that whining against God shows they were not willing to trust and obey Him. Understand that Samuel tells them they are to confess their sin of rebellion and turn back in obedience and they will be blessed again. See that when we whine and complain we, too, are rebelling against God and that the answer is always obedience to Him.

When things go wrong in our lives, are we ever justified in blaming God? Listen to this lesson to learn that God gives us the freedom to choose and when we choose the wrong things, we will suffer the consequences. Learn the difference between God’s revealed will and His permissive will. See that it is only through learning God’s Word that we gain the wisdom to make right decisions. Find out how the Israelites in the Old Testament failed God. See that sometimes God gives us what we ask for so we can learn that the details of life cannot satisfy us.

Coronation Day! Long live the king! At last the people of Israel had the king they wanted. Hear Samuel’s speech as he reminds them of the covenant God had with them and the warning of what would happen if they weren’t obedient. See how he emphasizes God’s faithfulness to them but assures them that a part of God’s grace is discipline. Learn about the pattern the people were following and ask yourself is you are putting the details and pleasures of life first in your life instead of growing to spiritual maturity.

What does a snake have to do with Saul when he was the new king of the Israelites? Listen to this lesson to find out that beginning in Genesis a snake is a type of Satan who is at war with God. Learn who Nahash and the Ammonites were and a brief overview of the history of Israel and the Palestinians. See how Saul’s protection of Israel is an authentication of his role as king. Find out how Saul deceived the Ammonites and defeated them. As we face the rise of the Satanic opposition of Islam, help us to trust You to deliver us.

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is said to come upon certain believers. Listen to this lesson to learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in these peoples' lives. See how the Holy Spirit was not inward or permanent but was an external power for specific purposes. Find out that it had nothing to do with their spiritual lives but included military and civil leadership, enhanced wisdom, understanding, and skill, and in the case of kings brought about prosperity and success. Understand that in the Church Age all believers receive the Holy Spirit internally at the point of trusting Christ as Savior.

Does the Holy Spirit refer to a force or an influence or is He a distinct person? Listen to this lesson to learn that the Scriptures reveal that just like God the Father and God the Son, the Holy Spirit has personhood which includes intellect and will. Find out the basic meaning of the Hebrew word for spirit and its many uses. Hear about the role of the Holy Spirit in creation and in the ministry of the Old Testament prophets. See that the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is not the same as in the Church Age but involves enhancing leadership to the Israelites.

Was Saul chosen by God to be king of Israel? Listen to this lesson to hear how Saul was anointed and underwent a transformation that enabled him to rule Israel. See how Saul sang with the prophets but showed no signs of being spiritually inclined at this point. Understand the significance of what occurred at Mizpah and the importance of Ebenezer. See how Saul was hiding and had to be brought out to be presented to the people of Israel and what meaning his height conveyed. As we see these events from the Old Testament, let us understand that if a nation turns back to God, it can recover from its downward spiral.

Imagine if you found out God had selected you to be the king over His people. Listen to this lesson to learn about a young man named Saul who was anointed by Samuel to become the commander of Israel. Find out what Samuel told Saul would specifically happen to confirm his selection. Understand the meaning of ecstasy and how the pagan view of religion differs from Christianity. See the role of the prophet and how it involves announcing God’s Word rather than any mysticism.

Tall, dark, and handsome! In other words, a perfect king. Listen to this lesson to learn that while Saul seemed to have everything going for him, he was not the king that would prosper Israel. Find out that outward appearances can be deceiving and it’s what a person is like inside that counts. See the comparisons between Samuel and Saul. Learn about how spiritually dense Saul was. For your own life, realize that what you think will make you happy and fulfilled may not be God’s answer for the plan for your life.

Can we trust our inner desires to bring us happiness? Listen to this lesson to see that our wants are not always what’s best for us. Gain an overview of the life of Saul, the king that God permitted for Israel even though he was not what they needed. See a broader use of the term prophecy. Find out three validating events concerning Saul’s choice as king. Learn about an event that reveals Saul’s character flaws when he disobeys Samuel. Remember from the reign of Saul that God is pleased with those who learn His Word and obey it.