1) In what way does 1 Samuel pick up the themes from Judges and carry them forward?
The overall theme from Judges is that of disobedience on behalf of the Israelites and the consequences from God that follow, which carries on into 1 Samuel. One particular instance of disobedience lies in Judges 1:27-2:3. In this excerpt, the Israelites disobey God by not totally annihilating the Canaanites as they are spreading out to conquer the land and God punishes them for their disobedience. The consequences for their failure to carry out God’s command are made known to them when a messenger from heaven delivers God’s verdict in Judges 2:1-3. God declares that since they have not completely killed or driven out the Canaanites, the Canaanites “shall
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become adversaries to you and their gods shall be a snare to you” and that he will not help the Israelites conquer them again. The same theme of disobedience and consequences can be seen in 1 Samuel 15 in the story of how Saul, king of the Israelites, disobeys God’s command to obliterate Amalek and all the citizens who live there. Not even a single animal from Amalek was to be spared, but Saul let King Agag of the Amalekites live, along with “the best of the sheep and of the cattle” and he did not “utterly destroy them” as God had commanded. Saul’s punishment for sinning in such a way against the Lord is spelled out in 1 Samuel 15:28-29 where Samuel informs Saul that “the Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this very day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.” This neighbor turns out to be the future King David, who God next chooses to be king of the Israelites. Bottom line, the Israelites could have learned from their mistakes in not doing what God told them to do. It turns out that the Israelites must have been hard-headed since they make the same mistakes over and over again. Another theme that carries on from Judges to 1 Samuel is the blatant rejection of God by the Israelites. It is said that the people abandoned the Lord and “followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them” in Judges 2:12. The Israelites rejected God repeatedly in Judges and they continue to do so in 1 Samuel. In this book, the Israelites demand that a king be appointed over them and God responds by saying to Samuel, “they have rejected me from being king over them” in 1 Samuel 8:17. It does not matter that the manner of rejection is different between Judges, where the people reject God for other gods, and that of 1 Samuel, where they still technically follow God, but ask for a king. They reject God in both cases, which is equally horrible and still a sin, no matter how one looks at it. 2) Discuss the portrayal of Eli and Samuel in this narrative. Are they positive or negative portraits? The author of 1 Samuel does not seem to favor Eli as much as Samuel and tends to portray him in a more negative manner.
At first, one would think that Eli is not a bad character when reading the beginning of the book because of his interactions with Hannah in the temple. He reassures Hannah that God will hear and answer her request for a child in 1 Samuel 1:17 and later, after Samuel is born to Hannah and she gives him to God to become a Nazirite, he blesses Hannah and asked that God would grant her further children in 1 Samuel 2:20. However, one who reads further into the story sees that Eli is not very hands on in his priestly duties. Eli’s sons prove themselves to be very scandalous as priests of the temple and do not act in the way that they should. Eli is fully aware of their behavior, but does not adequately discipline them. As a punishment, God tells Eli that all of his house will not lead prosperous lives and God goes even further to say that both of his sons will die on the same day. Eli does not seem to be terribly troubled by this news or even when it is told to him a second time by Samuel who receives this message from God directly. In 1 Samuel 3:18, he simply says, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him” when Samuel reports the same message from God. When the time does come, and Eli’s sons are killed in battle, the author does not make any note about Eli being saddened by their deaths, which implies that he did not love them or that he is a …show more content…
terrible father. When he learns that the ark of God has been taken by the Philistines, however, Eli “fell backward . . . and his neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and heavy” according to the author in 1 Samuel 4:18. The combined remarks about being heavy and his neck breaking from falling out of a chair help the author convey a picture of a weak and perhaps lazy judge of the people. The author portrays Samuel, the judge and prophet who succeeds Eli, in a more positive and favorable light. In fact, the author says that Samuel grew up “both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people in 1 Samuel 2:26. Later, in 1 Samuel 3:19-21, the author makes references to the fact that God was always with Samuel and whatever he prophesied came true. The Lord speaks to the people through Samuel and the people ask Samuel to speak on their behalf to God, as well. Samuel’s only downfall was that he, like Eli, has sons who “did not follow in his ways” and this was known among the Israelites (1 Samuel 8:3). It is because of this that the Israelites ask Samuel to appoint a king over Israel. Samuel is angry and displeased by their request, and makes it known to God in prayer. God confirms what Samuel already knows, that “they have rejected [him] from being king over them” in 1 Samuel 8:7. Even after warning the Israelites what having a king will mean for them in the future, the people still want a king. Thus, Samuel is depicted as a very wise man, who knows how to stand by what is right in the sight of God, even though all of those around him would rather do different. The image of Samuel as wise and righteous is strengthened once he hears what Saul has failed to do in battling the Amalekites.
After the Lord tells Samuel how Saul has disobeyed his commands, the 1 Samuel 15:11 says, “Samuel was angry; and he cried out to the Lord all night.” Samuel’s anger serves as proof that he is a man who truly does seek to do God’s will and disapproves of those who fail to do so. This is also a confirmation of what Samuel suspects might happen if a king is appointed over Israel; he knows that a human king will fail, whereas God will never fail. It is Samuel who goes to meet Saul and delivers God’s message of what the consequences are for disobeying him. The author achieves a positive portrayal of Samuel in this side-by-side comparison. Samuel’s goodness and wisdom is favorable compared to Saul, who did not do what the Lord asked him to do even though he has high status of a king. Samuel is also depicted as more hands-on when compared to Eli. Eli does not appear to do much of anything when he is mentioned in 1 Samuel, whereas Samuel travels all over, even to where Saul is, in order to deliver the word of God. This may also back up the author in believing that Samuel is an overall better judge than
Eli.
Towards the end of the book Elie says, “On my return from the bread distribution, I found my father crying like a child” (page 109). Elie most likely felt very insecure and scared because he saw his father crying. As Elie Wiesel points out, “I remained more than an hour leaning over him, looking at him, etching his bloody, broken face into my mind” (page 112). Elie had to live with looking at his father who was broken inside and scarred on the outside, which in could leave a long term stress on the boy because he could never get the picture out of his mind of a loved one being beaten up and scared to die. He was psychologically affected because of what he had experienced. When seeing something like this happen (especially to a family member) could leave people affected for life, leaving them only the picture of their family being broken down into fine powder making them feel that they’re going completely insane.
... his sons to take over. Therefore, it would be hard not to be emotionally connected to the business because it was passed down from generation to generation. Lastly, in my opinion I believe that Eli is willing to do anything for his brother. Even though, he didn’t want to go on a mission for the commander, but he did it for his brother. Eli went to the extreme measure to protect his brother and himself by killing the commander “Casting the plug blade to the ground I pressed down on his shoulders so that his head dropped beneath the surface of the water”(Dewitt p. 317). This shows that Eli has the killing instinct in him, and he will do whatever it takes to protect himself and his brother. In conclusion, I believe that Eli and Charlie cannot live the life they want to live without any danger harming them due to the circumstances of their background history and past.
When his father was beat up by the guard or even he was getting beat up by the Kapo. Elie could only think of himself, which is a good thing not wanting to get hurt for others in my opinion. Also, when Rabbi’s son ran away from him I would guess Elie would think of the same thing but instead wanted to protect his father. Then last when Elie’s father was about to die his last words was, “Elizer” which was Elies name. Elie was finally think that his duty is over on protecting his father. Also, Elie also thought, “free at last” which meant his can fend for him. So, his relationship with his father wasn’t good. Cause Elie thought the reason he is alive because of his father. That is why his relationship with his father wasn’t a good
For example, in one of the cattle car rides in between camps, workers were throwing pieces of bread into the karts for amusement. The consequence of this is that the Jews began fighting each other for the few crumbs. This effect one elder jew to sneak into the fighting to snatch a two pieces one for him and one for his son, however he is attacked and killed by his own son for the food and is only a few seconds after that killed by onlookers for the food. The results in Elie promising to himself to never be like that and to take care of his father, however he later on when his father gets sick he thinks it better if he were to die so he can focus on his own survival. He then feels ashamed for thinking so and those are some of the last thoughts he has about his father before his dismissal and is affected even greatly because of
Elie seems to lose faith in God. “"Yisgadal, veyiskadash, shmey raba…May His name be celebrated and sanctified…" whispered my father. For the first time, I felt anger rising within me. Why should I sanctify His name? The Almighty, the eternal and terrible Master of the Universe, chose to be silent. What was there to thank Him for?” (33) The God Elie once prayed and cried out to before was allowing his people to die in horrible ways. God, a being who is supposed to be loving and merciful was allowing them to die alongside millions of other
Upon their arrival of Birkenau, Elie was stuck like glue to his father “I felt the pressure of my father’s hand: we were alone.” (pg. 27) He would do anything to make sure his father did not feel a burden for him “ I bit my lips so that my father did not hear my teeth chattering.” (pg. 31) For some reason, Eliezer felt that it was his responsibility to care for his father and make him as relaxed as possible. Despite that, he eventually started to drift away from his original intentions. While his father was on his deathbed he begged for water, and frequently Eliezer would deliver him some, except for one time. During this one time, his father yelled out and was told several times to be quiet. Eliezer lay on the top bunk of the bed and watched the SS men deal him a violent blow on the head. Even after, he begged again for water and Ellie just lay there until the morning when he discovered his father was taken away to the crematories. If this were to happen in the very beginning, Eliezer would have gone right to his father's side with some water to hush him
...nd the doctor refused to help him because there was nothing he could do. He started to hallucinate and the others made fun of him. Did they not realize they suffer the same fate as him? When Eliezer woke, his father was no longer there. Possibly taken to the crematorium, all Eliezer could think was that he was free at last. What happened to not wanting to be separated from his father? He had become selfish and it is now hard to feel sympathy for him.
First of all, the father-son relationship between Eliezer and his father in the novel experiences an emotional change. At first, the relationship between these two characters is rather stressed and awkward. They were ever close to each other, and Eliezer illustrates the painful atmosphere by describing, “My father was a cultured, rather unsentimental man. There was never any display of emotion, even at home. He was more concerned with others than with his own family” (Wiesel 2).
Eliezer loses faith in god. He struggles physically and mentally for life and no longer believes there is a god. "Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my god and my soul and turned my dreams to dust..."(pg 32). Elie worked hard to save himself and asks god many times to help him and take him out of his misery. "Why should I bless his name? The eternal, lord of the universe, the all-powerful and terrible was silent..."(pg 31). Eliezer is confused, because he does not know why the Germans would kill his face, and does not know why god could let such a thing happen. "I did not deny god's existence, but I doubted his absolute justice..."(pg 42). These conditions gave him confidence, and courage to live.
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in their own sight” (Judg. 21:25). This quote at the end of Judges sets up an optimistic view of kings for the rest of the Deuteronomistic History. King David is considered perhaps the greatest king over all of Israel, whereas King Hezekiah is praised for never turning away from God and being the greatest king among all the kings of Judah (2 Kgs. 5). However, despite the high need for a praise of kings throughout the Deuteronomistic history, Solomon is viewed with a skeptical eye and is the cause of the demise of Israel. Unlike the positive view of kings portrayed throughout the Deuteronomistic history, King Solomon is framed in a negative light in 1 Kings 11: 1-13, which
The book of 1 Samuel, a part of the Old Testament, sparks the dawn of the United Kingdom of Israel by telling of its first king, Saul. Samuel is one of the first talked about pre-literary prophets in the bible perhaps because he anointed the first king of the United Kingdom. He is a prophet by definition because he possessed the ability to converse with the almighty Yahweh. Samuel and Saul are key players to the rise of the kingdom but Saul runs into trouble and disobeys God, which leads him to his own inevitable demise.
We need not to excuse David's sin, because he confessed it and expressed his renewed trust in God. When we read Psalm 34, we are to understand that it was written by the same man who had already acknowledge his sin and is forgiven. The trust which David speaks in Psalm 34 is that which he reaffirmed in Psalm 56. The key to understanding of the relationship of Psalm 34 to 1 Samuel 21 states that David was forgiven and renewed as a result of his experience described in Psalm 56. David begins this psalm with a vow, or a promise: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (v.1). Here David promise to persistently praise His God. David praise, while based upon a specific event in his life, is ongoing. It should be
However, there is one fact I noticed. Thankfully, Samuel’s brother, Isaiah, adores him and shows so much patience; but, he made an interesting
He could not believe that the God he followed tolerated such things. During times of sorrow, when everyone was praying and sanctifying His name, Elie no longer wanted to praise the Lord; he was at the point of giving up. The fact that the “Terrible Master of the Universe, chose to be silent”(33) caused Elie to lose hope and faith. When one chooses to keep silent about such inhumanity going on, they are just as destructive as the one causing the brutality.... ...
The book of Judges is the sequel to Joshua. It is the seventh book of the Old Testament. It recounts stories and events from the death of the hebrew leader and prophet Joshua to the birth of the hebrew Samuel. That is roughly, from the end of the Israelite conquest of Canan in the 13th Century B.C to the begining of the monarchy in the 11 th century B.C. It tells about the hebrews from Joshua’s Death to the time of Samuel. It was written in about 550 BC, on tablets named the Ras Shamra tablets. The Ras Shamra tablets where later discovered in the early 20th Century, even though the stories and acountings of the judges where already known and written. The book of Judges belongs to a specific historical tradition which is called the Deuteronomic history. The author of the book of Judges, was in exile in Babylonia. While in exile he was deeply concerned with foreign domination. So he wrote many of his stories on the migration of the tribe of Dan to the North and the sins of the Benjamites. The author emphasized that Israel was being influenced by foreign powers and the loss of freedom and prosperity. Recurring throughout the book is the stereotyped formula: "The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the lord." Then after each period or subjection the author introduces another formula: " But when the people of Israel cried the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people. Through-out the book, the book of judges tells about prophets, rulers and influencial people such as: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tilian and Samson. There are also many more minor people.