Institute
Lesson 24: 1 Samuel 1–15

“Lesson 24: 1 Samuel 1–15,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 47–48

“1 Samuel 1–15,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 47–48

24

1 Samuel 1–15

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. 1 Samuel 1–3. Samuel Was Raised Up As a Prophet to Israel

    1. Hannah prayed for a son and bore Samuel (see 1 Samuel 1:1–21).

    2. Hannah lent Samuel for service to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 1:22–28).

    3. Hannah praised and thanked the Lord (see 1 Samuel 2:1–10).

    4. Samuel served faithfully in the temple under the direction of Eli the priest (see 1 Samuel 2:11, 18–21, 26).

    5. Eli’s sons sinned grievously, and a man of God prophesied of their death and the rejection of the house of Eli (see 1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22–25, 27–36).

    6. The Lord called Samuel as a prophet to all Israel (see 1 Samuel 3).

Religion 301 student manual, 24-1 through 24-13.

Genesis 16:1–2; 17:15–19. How were the events attending the birth of Samuel similar to those that attended the birth of other promised children? (see also Judges 13:2–7).

Luke 2:39–52. Who are some others who have been about their Father’s business while yet in their youth? (see also 1 Nephi 2:16; Mormon 1:1–2, 15; JS—H 1:7–11).

1 Kings 2:26–27, 35. How was the prophecy against the house of Eli fulfilled? (see also Bible dictionary, s.v. “Abiathar”; 1 Samuel 2:31–35; 4:10–22; 1 Kings 1:5–7).

  1. 1 Samuel 4–6. Israel Lost the Ark of the Covenant Because They Were Wicked

    1. The Israelites took the ark of the covenant to the battlefield thinking its presence would protect them from the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 4:1–9).

    2. The Philistines captured the ark and killed Eli’s sons (see 1 Samuel 4:10–11).

    3. When the events were reported to Eli, he fell, broke his neck, and died; Eli’s daughter-in-law died in childbirth (see 1 Samuel 4:12–22).

    4. The Philistines were plagued and slain for taking the ark, and they sent it back to Israel (see 1 Samuel 5–6).

Religion 301 student manual, 24-14 through 24-17.

Exodus 25:22. Why was the ark of the covenant so important to ancient Israel? (see also Numbers 10:33).

1 Samuel 2:34. What is significant about the death of Eli’s sons? (see also Deuteronomy 21:18–21).

  1. 1 Samuel 7–8. Samuel Ministered to Israel

    1. Samuel’s exhortation caused Israel to repent, and the Lord smote the attacking Philistines (see 1 Samuel 7).

    2. Samuel’s sons judged unrighteously, and Israel sought a king such as other nations had (see 1 Samuel 8:1–5).

    3. Samuel warned Israel against the evils of having a king rule them (see 1 Samuel 8:6–18).

    4. Israel rejected Samuel’s counsel, and the Lord directed him to appoint a king over Israel (1 Samuel 8:19–22).

Religion 301 student manual, 24-18 through 24-21.

Mosiah 23:7; 29:10–24. Why did Alma and Mosiah feel that the Nephites should not have a king?

Deuteronomy 17:14–20. Moses prophesied that Israel would want a king. What criteria did Moses say any king of Israel must meet?

Marion G. Romney, in CR, Oct. 1968, p. 66. The Lord would not interfere with Israel’s right of choice, even though their choice was to reject him.

Spencer W. Kimball, “‛Like All the Nations,’” Church News, 15 Oct. 1960, p. 14. This article gives excellent examples of the ways in which the Lord’s people follow the world.

  1. 1 Samuel 9–12. Saul Was Chosen and Reigned As King of Israel

    1. Samuel met Saul, and the Lord revealed to him that Saul was to be king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 9; JST, 1 Samuel 9:16).

    2. Samuel anointed Saul, and Saul prophesied and was made king over all Israel (see 1 Samuel 10).

    3. Saul rescued Israelites from the Ammonites, and support for his kingship was renewed (see 1 Samuel 11).

    4. Samuel exhorted Israel to serve and obey the Lord (see 1 Samuel 12).

Religion 301 student manual, 24-22 through 24-28.

Mosiah 5:2–4. What is meant by the statement that the Lord gave Saul a “new heart”? (1 Samuel 10:9).

Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Oct. 1958, pp. 55–57. What special elements were present at the choosing of Saul as Israel’s king? In what other instances was this same procedure followed?

  1. 1 Samuel 13–15. Because of Saul’s Disobedience the Lord Rejected Him As King of Israel

    1. Saul offered sacrifice without priesthood authority and was rebuked by Samuel (see 1 Samuel 13:1–14).

    2. Jonathan and his young armor bearer smote a garrison of the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 13:15–14:14).

    3. The Lord intervened for Israel, and the Philistines were defeated in battle (see 1 Samuel 14:15–23).

    4. Jonathan, unaware of his father’s edict to fast, partook of honey, but the people rescued him from the penalty of death (see 1 Samuel 14:24–45).

    5. Saul prevailed against the enemies of Israel on every side (see 1 Samuel 14:47–52).

    6. When Saul disobeyed the Lord’s command to destroy the Amalekites and all they had, he was rejected from being king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 15; see also JST, 1 Samuel 15:11, 35).

Religion 301 student manual, 24-29 through 24-35.

2 Chronicles 26:16–21. What happened to Uzziah, who, like Saul, performed an unauthorized priesthood function?

D&C 56:3. What is the result for those who do not obey the commandments of God? (see also 1 Samuel 15:23, 26).

Luke 11:28. How might Saul have retained the Lord’s blessings?

Spencer W. Kimball, Humility, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year (Provo, 16 Jan. 1963), pp. 9–10. What steps led to Saul’s downfall?

Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Oct. 1958, p. 55. What appears to have occurred in Saul’s life to change him from a man of great promise into one rejected by the Lord?

Spencer W. Kimball, in CR, Oct. 1954, p. 51. How are the rationalizations made by many in the Church today like those made by Saul when he failed to destroy the Amalekites completely?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Eli Failed to Discipline His Sons (Sections A–B)

Eli rebuked his sons for their wickedness, but they did not hearken to him (1 Samuel 2:22–25). Ask students what else Eli should have done (see 1 Samuel 3:11–14; Alma 39:8–14). Ask why children sometimes refuse to follow their parent’s counsel. What should parents do when their children refuse to follow their counsel?

Point out that Eli was the judge and priesthood leader of all Israel. Note that individuals are condemned not only for their own sins but also for tolerating wickedness within their areas of responsibility (see Jacob 1:19; Moroni 9:3–6). Since Eli did not act to stop the wickedness of his sons, the Lord removed Eli and his sons from the priestly office and gave it to another. What message or implication does this example hold for parents and priesthood leaders in the Church today? (see D&C 68:25; 90:18; D&C 93:38–49; 121:34–36, 41–43). Should unrepented sin ever be tolerated? Why or why not?

Like the Other Nations (Section C)

The story of Israel’s desire for a king provides an excellent example of rejecting the Lord’s counsel to be like the people of the world. Using the following quotation from Elder Spencer W. Kimball, discuss the folly of disregarding the counsel of prophets to follow after the ways of the world:

“‛Give us a king’ cried the children of Israel when they had seen the glory of the surrounding kingdoms. From Moses and Joshua through about three centuries they had been led by the less colorful judges. There was an absence of glory and pageantry, and then the people led by their elders demanded ’Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ (1 Samuel 8) …

“And Samuel called the people together and explained to them that the people of the Lord should be different with higher standards. ’We want to be like other peoples’ they demanded. ’We do not want to be different.’ … [1 Samuel 8:11–18 quoted.]

“Not so different are we today! We want the glamor and frothiness of the world, not always realizing the penalties of our folly. … We cannot stand to be different! …

“The Lord says he will have a peculiar people but we do not wish to be peculiar. …

“When, oh when, will our Latter-day Saints stand firm on their own feet, establish their own standards, follow proper patterns and live their own glorious lives in accordance with Gospel inspired patterns, aping no one who has not a better program! Certainly good times and happy lives and clean fun are not dependent upon the glamorous, the pompous, the extremes.” (Church News, 15 Oct. 1960, p. 14.)