Quiz 75 – 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 3:1-15

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.

Deeper Dive into the Passage

**Hypotheses:**

1.**Divine Calling:** This passage illustrates the theme of divine calling and revelation. Samuel’s initial confusion and Eli’s guidance highlight the importance of spiritual mentorship and discernment in recognising God’s voice

2. **Judgment on Eli’s House:** The passage also serves as a prelude to God’s judgment on Eli’s house due to the sins of his sons. It underscores the consequences of failing to uphold divine commandments.

**Writer’s Intent:**The writer aimed to convey the importance of obedience and attentiveness to God’s call. During this period, Israel was in a state of moral and spiritual decline, and the narrative serves as a reminder of the need for faithful leadership.

**Modern Interpretation:**Today, this passage can be seen as a call to be attentive to spiritual guidance and mentorship. Just as Samuel needed Eli’s help to recognise God’s voice, modern believers can benefit from spiritual mentors. For example, a young person might seek guidance from a pastor or spiritual advisor to discern their vocation.

**Historical Accuracy:**While the account is likely based on historical events, the specific details may have been shaped by theological motives to emphasise divine calling and judgment.

1 Samuel 8:4-20 (NRSV)

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the Lord, 7 and the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 Just as they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. 9 Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” 10 So Samuel reported all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots; 12 and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers. 15 He will take one-tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers. 16 He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” 19 But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, 20 so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

**Hypotheses:**

1. **Rejection of Divine Kingship:** The Israelites’ request for a king is portrayed as a rejection of God’s kingship. This reflects the tension between divine authority and human governance

2. **Warning Against Monarchy:** Samuel’s warning about the potential abuses of a monarchy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of concentrated power.

**Writer’s Intent:**The writer intended to highlight the Israelites’ desire to conform to surrounding nations, which led them to reject God’s unique kingship. This narrative serves as a critique of human governance and a reminder of the potential pitfalls of earthly power.

**Modern Interpretation:**In contemporary terms, this passage can be seen as a warning against the dangers of placing too much trust in human leaders. For instance, in modern democracies, it serves as a reminder to hold leaders accountable and not to idolise political figures.

**Historical Accuracy:**The request for a king is historically plausible, reflecting Israel’s transition from tribal confederation to monarchy. However, the theological interpretation may have been emphasised to convey specific religious messages.

1 Samuel 17:40-54 (NRSV)

40 Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” 45 But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” 48 When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David’s hand. 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine; he grasped his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him; then he cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 The troops of Israel and Judah rose up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 The Israelites came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. 54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.

Deeper Dive into the Passage

**Hypotheses:**

1. **Divine Empowerment:** David’s victory over Goliath is often interpreted as a demonstration of God’s power working through unlikely individuals

2. **Faith and Courage:** The narrative underscores the themes of faith and courage, showing that trust in God can lead to overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.

**Writer’s Intent:**The writer aimed to inspire faith and courage among the Israelites by showcasing David’s reliance on God rather than conventional weapons. This story would have been particularly resonant during times of conflict or oppression.

**Modern Interpretation:**Today, this passage can be seen as an encouragement to face challenges with faith and trust in God. For example, someone facing a difficult personal situation might draw strength from David’s example of courage and reliance on divine help.

**Historical Accuracy:**While the story of David and Goliath is iconic, its historical accuracy is debated. It may have been embellished to highlight theological themes of divine empowerment and faith.

Mark 9:30-37, NRSV

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

Hypotheses and Insights:

**Hypothesis 1:** Jesus uses the disciples’ argument about greatness to teach a counter-cultural lesson on humility and service. In the Greco-Roman world, status and honor were highly valued, but Jesus flips this notion by valuing servanthood

**Hypothesis 2:** By placing a child in their midst, Jesus emphasizes the importance of welcoming and valuing those who are vulnerable and powerless. This act symbolizes the kingdom of God, where the least are the greatest

**Historical Context:** For Mark’s audience, who were likely experiencing social marginalization, this teaching would have been revolutionary and encouraging. Today, it challenges us to rethink our values and priorities, urging us to serve others selflessly. For instance, in a corporate setting, a leader might choose to mentor and support junior employees rather than seeking personal advancement.

#### Historical Accuracy:

The account in Mark 9:30-37 is considered to have a high degree of historical reliability. The prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection is a consistent theme across the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), suggesting it was a well-established tradition in early Christian communities. The argument about greatness and Jesus’ teaching on servanthood also align with the broader themes of Jesus’ ministry, making it likely that these events occurred as described.