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Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)

1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)

February 2015 - November 2020

The quote from the title slide is from the words of a young David in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine”, that we derive the central theme for this study of 1st and 2nd Samuel, THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’s.

We all face overwhelming circumstances in our life and the only thing that can give us strength to overcome those horrific circumstances is a realization that it is not by our might or power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the only way that we can overcome and address the challenges that we have in life.

One scholar has praised the writing of Samuel: “It is no exaggeration to say that the author of Samuel produced what is still the best book ever written in the Hebrew language.”

In this series we will cover an array of significant biblical teachings on everything from how to face and surmount the giants in our lives, to biblical worship and praise, to the divine viewpoint of politics and leadership, to the importance of the Davidic Covenant and Messianic prophecies, and so much more. An understanding of these key teachings in Samuel is foundational to the rest of the Old Testament, the arrival and mission of the Messiah, the gospel, and many passages in the New Testament. Every believer should have a thorough understanding of the material covered in this series.

Note: Classes in this series are arranged with the most recent class appearing first.

Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here and here.

To view all video Bible studies in the 1st and 2nd Samuel series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

To listen to this series as a podcast, copy and paste the following URL into your podcast software.
www.deanbibleministries.org/podcasts/2015-12samuel.xml
 
Tue, Feb 16, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 10:1-16
Duration: 54 mins 27 secs
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.
Tue, Feb 23, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 10:1-16
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 9 secs
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.
Tue, Mar 01, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 11:1-15
Duration: 1 hr 11 mins 24 secs
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.
Tue, Mar 08, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 12:1-25
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 59 secs
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.
Tue, Mar 22, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 12:14-25
Duration: 55 mins 50 secs
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.
Tue, Mar 29, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 12:14-25
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 20 secs
"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.
Tue, Apr 05, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-15
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 38 secs
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.
Tue, Apr 12, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 13:14-14:15
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 42 secs
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.
Tue, Apr 19, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 14:15-46
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 46 secs
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.
Tue, Apr 26, 2016
Passage: 1 Samuel 14:46-15:4
Duration: 59 mins 14 secs
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.