Bible Essay Questions

what was the significance of hannah's prayer and oath to God

• In the Book of 1 Samuel, the primary government transition depicted is Israel's shift from a leadership structure based on judges to a monarchy, with the key figures being Samuel (the last judge), Saul (the first king), and later David (who became the established king after Saul's downfall); essentially, the narrative follows the progression from Samuel to Saul to David, marking the transition to a kingly rule. 

  
  

• Hannah's prayer is a model of prayer that God answers. Her life illustrates that God hears and answers the prayers of those who come to him in faith. She made an oath to God to give her child back to God and not cut his hair

• Hannah's oath was a promise to never have children.
• Hannah's prayer was about seeking revenge on her rivals.

what was Transition in government in 1 Samuel.

• The transition from judges to monarchy with the anointing of Saul as king.
• The appointment of judges to replace the monarchy.
• The division of the kingdom between Israel and Judah.
• The establishment of a theocracy under Samuel.

What happened to the Ark? Who stole it? How it was returned?  What did these people see the Ark as?

• The Ark was destroyed by the Egyptians and never returned.
• The Ark was hidden by the Israelites and lost forever.
• The Ark was captured by the Philistines, returned after misfortunes, and seen as a powerful sacred object.
• The Ark was taken by the Assyrians and used as a weapon.

What was Saul doing when God told Samuel to anoint him? When did this occur in relation to other key events?

• Saul was farming when God told Samuel to anoint him.
• Saul was searching for his father's lost donkeys when God told Samuel to anoint him.
• Saul was at a feast when God told Samuel to anoint him.
• Saul was building a house when God told Samuel to anoint him.

Describe the times that Saul disobeyed God and what happened to Saul when Samuel confronted him.

• Saul disobeyed God by offering unauthorized sacrifices and sparing Agag and the Amalekite livestock. When confronted by Samuel, Saul was told that God rejected him as king.
• Samuel praised Saul for his leadership and anointed him again as king.
• Saul was rewarded with wealth and power after his actions.
• Saul obeyed God by destroying all the Amalekites and their livestock.

When was David anointed king, when did he slay Goliath, and how is that timeline related to other key events?

• David was anointed King as a young shepherd before he killed Goliath after David gained fame and eventually became king

• David was anointed king in 1050 BC and slayed Goliath in 1045 BC.
• David was anointed king around 1000 BC and slayed Goliath in 990 BC.
• David was anointed king around 1025 BC and slayed Goliath in 1022 BC.

What happened to David, his wives, and his family?

• David and his family lived in peace and prosperity.
• While David and his men were encamped near Jezreel, the Amalekites raided Ziklag and captured David's wives and children, including Abigail and Ahinoam. David fought the Amalekites and recovered everything they had taken.

• David's family became rulers of the land without conflict.
• David and his wives traveled to a distant kingdom without issues.