WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.140 Ethan: Welcome to Immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:03.257 --> 00:00:04.527 Day 100 and 83 00:00:07.222 --> 00:00:09.232 immersed in Samuel Kings. 00:00:11.122 --> 00:00:14.842 The books known today as First and Second Samuel and First and Second 00:00:14.842 --> 00:00:19.012 Kings were originally a single work later divided due to the size 00:00:19.012 --> 00:00:20.602 limitations of ancient scrolls. 00:00:21.382 --> 00:00:25.642 In its original unity, Samuel Kings tells the story of the Israel like 00:00:25.642 --> 00:00:27.112 monarchy from beginning to end. 00:00:28.507 --> 00:00:32.437 Hebrew tradition tells us that this grand work was put together over time 00:00:32.437 --> 00:00:36.997 from the records kept by prophets such as Samuel, Nathan and Gadd, who were 00:00:36.997 --> 00:00:38.977 God's messengers to the people of Israel. 00:00:39.637 --> 00:00:43.567 They observed crucial moments in the life of the nation, interpreted events 00:00:43.567 --> 00:00:47.467 in light of God's covenants, and recorded their insights for posterity. 00:00:48.337 --> 00:00:51.877 The royal history of Samuel Kings, therefore is also the 00:00:51.877 --> 00:00:53.647 story of the word of the Lord. 00:00:54.067 --> 00:00:57.457 Spoken through his prophets in response to the deeds of Israel's rulers. 00:00:58.687 --> 00:01:02.227 While Samuel Kings is drawn from the records of various prophets and 00:01:02.227 --> 00:01:05.947 collected to address the concerns of different historical periods, a 00:01:05.947 --> 00:01:09.757 single literary structural pattern runs all the way through the work. 00:01:10.357 --> 00:01:15.277 A repeated formula describes how long the kings reigned, where they reigned, and 00:01:15.277 --> 00:01:17.167 how old they were when their reigns began. 00:01:18.097 --> 00:01:21.847 But the two halves of Samuel Kings also have separate concerns. 00:01:22.777 --> 00:01:26.587 We can understand the intent of the first half by recalling one of the purposes 00:01:26.587 --> 00:01:31.027 of the preceding books to predict and defend the monarchy in Israel. 00:01:31.927 --> 00:01:35.437 The book of Deuteronomy made provision for the requirements of a future king. 00:01:36.157 --> 00:01:39.397 The book of Judges reminded Israel how bad things were 00:01:39.397 --> 00:01:40.867 before they had their first king. 00:01:41.587 --> 00:01:44.497 The story of Ruth revealed how the descendants of a Moabite 00:01:44.857 --> 00:01:46.657 could still be God's anointed. 00:01:47.527 --> 00:01:52.027 The first half of Samuel Kings is similarly a defense of a monarchy. 00:01:52.897 --> 00:01:56.527 It reminds the people that they asked for a king, even though the prophet 00:01:56.532 --> 00:02:00.127 Samuel warned them that a king would burden them with taxes and labor. 00:02:00.877 --> 00:02:04.777 Specifically, it describes the establishment of the monarchy and 00:02:04.782 --> 00:02:08.077 then explains why God ultimately rejected Saul the first king. 00:02:09.412 --> 00:02:13.192 Far more importantly, the first half of Samuel Kings describes 00:02:13.192 --> 00:02:16.792 the fourth covenant, which gives structure to the ongoing story of 00:02:16.792 --> 00:02:19.402 the Bible, Israel's second king. 00:02:19.402 --> 00:02:24.682 David is a man after God's own heart, and God promises that a lasting dynasty 00:02:24.687 --> 00:02:29.632 of kings will come from David Israel's future, thus comes to be tied up with the 00:02:29.632 --> 00:02:32.302 destiny of King David and his descendants. 00:02:33.547 --> 00:02:38.017 The second half of Samuel Kings returns to a focus on the earlier covenant God 00:02:38.017 --> 00:02:42.637 made with Israel through Moses that covenant promised them blessings or 00:02:42.637 --> 00:02:46.807 curses based on whether or not they were faithful to his instructions. 00:02:47.647 --> 00:02:52.057 The stories of Israel's successive kings demonstrate an increasing failure 00:02:52.057 --> 00:02:55.597 of the monarchy to lead the people into wholehearted allegiance to God. 00:02:56.437 --> 00:03:00.697 So the prophets build an extended covenant lawsuit, an indictment 00:03:00.727 --> 00:03:01.957 of the kings and people. 00:03:02.617 --> 00:03:06.667 Because the people haven't kept their part of the covenant, the nation first 00:03:06.667 --> 00:03:10.747 splits in two, then the territory of each remaining kingdom diminishes. 00:03:11.407 --> 00:03:15.907 Both kingdoms now called Israel and Judah are eventually 00:03:15.907 --> 00:03:17.527 conquered by foreign empires. 00:03:18.427 --> 00:03:20.017 Jerusalem itself is sacked. 00:03:20.317 --> 00:03:24.217 Its walls touring down and the temple burned to the ground. 00:03:25.117 --> 00:03:27.127 The people are carried away from the land. 00:03:27.772 --> 00:03:32.752 In other words, the second half of Samuel King's is a defense of the exile. 00:03:33.892 --> 00:03:38.662 Samuel King's seemingly ends on this note of failure, the failure of Israel, 00:03:38.962 --> 00:03:44.032 of God's plans for Israel, and indeed of God's plans for the world through Israel. 00:03:44.322 --> 00:03:49.252 But at the end of the whole work, jokin, the surviving heir to David's 00:03:49.252 --> 00:03:53.182 throne is released from prison and treated as an honored vassal by 00:03:53.182 --> 00:03:54.772 the king of the Babylonian empire. 00:03:55.837 --> 00:03:58.537 A thin sliver of hope remains. 00:03:59.767 --> 00:04:02.347 The Bible portrays the Lord as the creator of the earth, 00:04:02.797 --> 00:04:04.717 the true king of all nations. 00:04:05.662 --> 00:04:09.772 With Israel now and shambles, the question returns to God himself. 00:04:10.702 --> 00:04:15.712 How will he keep his promise to redeem and restore the world now that 00:04:15.712 --> 00:04:17.752 his chosen instrument has fallen? 00:04:24.112 --> 00:04:25.932 The Book of Samuel Kings. 00:04:28.162 --> 00:04:32.092 There was a man named Chea who lived in Rama in the region of 00:04:32.092 --> 00:04:34.432 Zf, in the Hill country of Efram. 00:04:35.002 --> 00:04:36.802 He was the son of Roham. 00:04:37.072 --> 00:04:37.792 Son of Elihu. 00:04:38.422 --> 00:04:39.442 Son of Tohu. 00:04:39.742 --> 00:04:41.342 Son of Zf, of Efram. 00:04:42.772 --> 00:04:45.712 Chea had two wives, Hannah and Panina. 00:04:46.792 --> 00:04:49.882 Panina had children, but Hannah did not. 00:04:51.307 --> 00:04:56.137 Each year, Alcan would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord 00:04:56.137 --> 00:04:58.177 of Heaven's armies at the tabernacle. 00:04:58.987 --> 00:05:04.237 The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli, HNI and Phineas. 00:05:04.987 --> 00:05:09.457 On the days Chena presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat 00:05:09.457 --> 00:05:11.317 to Panina and each of her children. 00:05:11.977 --> 00:05:16.717 And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because 00:05:16.717 --> 00:05:18.457 the Lord had given her no children. 00:05:19.267 --> 00:05:23.047 So Panina would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord 00:05:23.047 --> 00:05:24.817 had kept her from having children. 00:05:25.567 --> 00:05:27.517 Year after year, it was the same. 00:05:27.937 --> 00:05:30.757 Panina would taunt Hannah as they went to the tabernacle. 00:05:31.297 --> 00:05:35.527 Each time Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 00:05:36.397 --> 00:05:37.567 Why are you crying? 00:05:37.567 --> 00:05:40.957 Hannah Elna would ask, why aren't you eating? 00:05:41.377 --> 00:05:42.547 Why be downhearted? 00:05:42.547 --> 00:05:44.107 Just because you have no children? 00:05:44.782 --> 00:05:45.742 You have me. 00:05:46.162 --> 00:05:48.592 Isn't that better than having 10 sons? 00:05:49.732 --> 00:05:54.922 Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. 00:05:55.642 --> 00:05:59.212 Eli, the priest, was sitting at his customary place beside 00:05:59.212 --> 00:06:00.712 the entrance of the tabernacle. 00:06:01.312 --> 00:06:04.672 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to 00:06:04.672 --> 00:06:07.132 the Lord, and she made this vow. 00:06:07.747 --> 00:06:09.397 Oh Lord of heaven's armies. 00:06:09.877 --> 00:06:14.107 If you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, 00:06:14.707 --> 00:06:16.477 then I will give him back to you. 00:06:17.017 --> 00:06:21.007 He will be yours for his entire lifetime and as a sign that he 00:06:21.007 --> 00:06:22.567 has been dedicated to the Lord. 00:06:22.717 --> 00:06:27.457 His hair will never be cut as she was praying to the Lord. 00:06:27.817 --> 00:06:31.987 Eli watched her, seeing her lips moving, but hearing no sound. 00:06:32.287 --> 00:06:33.817 He thought she had been drinking. 00:06:34.582 --> 00:06:36.172 Must you come here drunk? 00:06:36.352 --> 00:06:38.842 He demanded, throw away your wine. 00:06:39.742 --> 00:06:40.642 Oh, no sir. 00:06:40.792 --> 00:06:41.602 She replied. 00:06:42.142 --> 00:06:47.722 I haven't been drinking wine or anything stronger, but I am very discouraged and 00:06:47.722 --> 00:06:49.612 I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. 00:06:50.302 --> 00:06:53.422 Don't think I am a wicked woman for I have been praying out 00:06:53.422 --> 00:06:55.162 of great anguish and sorrow. 00:06:56.332 --> 00:06:59.842 In that case, Eli said, go in peace. 00:07:00.412 --> 00:07:03.562 May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him. 00:07:04.987 --> 00:07:05.857 Thank you, sir. 00:07:06.277 --> 00:07:07.177 She exclaimed. 00:07:07.807 --> 00:07:11.857 Then she went back and began to eat again and she was no longer sad. 00:07:12.907 --> 00:07:16.447 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to 00:07:16.447 --> 00:07:18.007 worship the Lord once more. 00:07:18.667 --> 00:07:20.347 Then they returned home to Rama. 00:07:21.247 --> 00:07:26.107 When Chea slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea and in 00:07:26.107 --> 00:07:28.357 due time she gave birth to a son. 00:07:28.987 --> 00:07:33.487 She named him Samuel for she said, I ask the Lord for him. 00:07:34.252 --> 00:07:38.692 The next year, Al Cana and his family went on their annual trip to offer 00:07:38.692 --> 00:07:43.642 a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow, but Hannah did not go. 00:07:44.062 --> 00:07:47.152 She told her husband wait until the boy is weaned. 00:07:47.632 --> 00:07:51.922 Then I will take him to the tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently. 00:07:52.702 --> 00:07:54.172 Whatever you think is best. 00:07:54.412 --> 00:07:55.432 Alcan agreed. 00:07:55.912 --> 00:07:59.842 Stay here for now and may the Lord help you keep your promise. 00:08:00.652 --> 00:08:04.072 So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned. 00:08:05.062 --> 00:08:09.022 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. 00:08:09.652 --> 00:08:13.342 They brought along a three year old bull for the sacrifice and 00:08:13.342 --> 00:08:15.442 a basket of flour and some wine. 00:08:16.252 --> 00:08:19.882 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. 00:08:20.542 --> 00:08:22.402 Sir, do you remember me? 00:08:22.732 --> 00:08:23.512 Hannah asked. 00:08:24.232 --> 00:08:28.522 I am the very woman who stood here several years ago, praying to the Lord. 00:08:29.107 --> 00:08:33.637 I asked the Lord to give me this boy and he has granted my request. 00:08:34.237 --> 00:08:38.647 Now I am giving him to the Lord and he will belong to the Lord his whole 00:08:38.647 --> 00:08:41.587 life, and they worshiped the Lord there. 00:08:43.057 --> 00:08:44.167 Then Hannah prayed. 00:08:44.587 --> 00:08:46.747 My heart rejoices in the Lord. 00:08:47.077 --> 00:08:48.967 The Lord has made me strong. 00:08:49.507 --> 00:08:51.967 Now I have an answer for my enemies. 00:08:52.297 --> 00:08:54.427 I rejoice because you rescued me. 00:08:55.087 --> 00:08:57.187 No one is holy like the Lord. 00:08:57.532 --> 00:08:59.302 There is no one besides you. 00:08:59.452 --> 00:09:01.462 There is no rock like our God. 00:09:02.302 --> 00:09:04.822 Stop acting so proud and haughty. 00:09:05.062 --> 00:09:07.132 Don't speak with such arrogance. 00:09:07.612 --> 00:09:10.462 For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done. 00:09:10.882 --> 00:09:12.442 He will judge your actions. 00:09:13.072 --> 00:09:17.542 The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. 00:09:18.202 --> 00:09:23.032 Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. 00:09:23.812 --> 00:09:27.502 The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman 00:09:27.502 --> 00:09:29.482 with many children wastes away. 00:09:30.322 --> 00:09:32.962 The Lord gives both death and life. 00:09:33.352 --> 00:09:36.802 He brings some down to the grave, but raises others up. 00:09:37.552 --> 00:09:40.522 The Lord makes some poor and others rich. 00:09:40.912 --> 00:09:43.522 He brings some down and lifts others up. 00:09:43.942 --> 00:09:48.022 He lifts the pore from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. 00:09:48.712 --> 00:09:52.702 He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. 00:09:53.317 --> 00:09:57.697 For all the Earth is the Lord's, and he has set the world in order. 00:09:58.657 --> 00:10:02.917 He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. 00:10:03.487 --> 00:10:05.917 No one will succeed by strength alone. 00:10:06.427 --> 00:10:09.097 Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered. 00:10:09.157 --> 00:10:11.287 He thunders against them from heaven. 00:10:11.647 --> 00:10:13.717 The Lord judges throughout the earth. 00:10:14.347 --> 00:10:16.117 He gives power to his king. 00:10:16.537 --> 00:10:19.237 He increases the strength of his anointed one. 00:10:21.367 --> 00:10:25.657 Returned home to Rama without Samuel, and the boy served the 00:10:25.657 --> 00:10:28.387 Lord by assisting Eli the priest. 00:10:30.517 --> 00:10:33.337 This concludes today's immerse reading experience. 00:10:33.487 --> 00:10:34.717 Thank you for joining us.