Psalm 78
“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
and the wonders which he has wrought.”
Psalm 78 is a recounting of the history of Israel – How do we think about history? – Not “did it happen?” but “do you remember?”
Major Themes of Samuel
Fathers and Sons (Eli, Samuel, Saul, David)
Leadership – Is Kingship a good thing? – competing voices in Samuel – Saul v. David
God’s sovereignty/favor
Birth of Samuel
Hannah’s song – echoes Samson’s birth (Judges) & Magnificat (Luke) – God’s sovereignty – “The LORD kills and brings to life”
Samuel’s calling – Samuel serving God but did not know the LORD (3:1,7) – out with the old and in with the new – Samuel’s fear and Eli’s understanding
Saul’s Reign
Why do the people want a king? – the Philistines – Saul’s first battle 13:9
Saul as “good” – utterly memorable and tragic – comparisons with Moses
Why did Saul fall out of favor?
A) Political – north (Israel, Saul) v south (Judah, David)?
B) Theological – Saul’s disobedience and failure to repent
C) Symbolic – Saul represents something beyond himself (the people) – 722 B.C. fall of Northern Kingdom – Saul is one who stood head and shoulders above everyone else (as did Israel) – God & Promise on Israel
The Story at Temple Baptist Church 