Heroes Of Israel - free ebook by Theodore Gerald Soares

HEROES OF ISRAEL

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Agents THE BAKER &amp; TAYLOR COMPANY NEW YORK THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON AND EDINBURGH...

22 minute read

Read Chapter

PREFACE

It is the purpose to present these Hero Studies in two books, one being the present volume which is intended as a textbook for the students, the other being the teacher's manual with fuller explanations and suggestions. The necessary prefatory statements will be found in the respective books under the titles "Foreword to the Student" and "Foreword to the Teacher". This volume contains the text of the stories, with explanatory notes and questions intended to stimulate study. Each lesson consists

3 minute read

Read Chapter

FOREWORD TO THE STUDENT

1. We are to study the heroes of Israel. What is a hero? We use this word of the chief character in a book or of one who does a very noble deed. It is also applied to the great men of the past, who have done deeds that have made their names famous in story and who have been the makers of nations. Call to mind some American heroes. 2. Why should we study the heroes of Israel? For three reasons: (1) The stories are very interesting and full of adventure. (2) Israel played a most important part in

2 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§1. The Old Home of Abraham (Gen. 11:31) Terah took Abraham his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son's son, and Sarah his daughter-in-law, his son Abraham's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there, and Terah died in Haran. §2. The Journey Westward (Gen. 12:1-5) Now the Lord said unto Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will sho

2 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

1 (§1). We begin with the man to whom Israel looked back as their first great hero. What was his name? What was his father's name? 2 (§1). Where did he come from? Look at the map of the Semitic world. You will see two great rivers which join and then flow into the Persian Gulf. It is not always possible to know where ancient cities were located, but it is supposed that Ur may have been on the Euphrates near the point where the rivers join. It is called Ur of the Chaldees, because people of that

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

This story deals with several journeys. Let us get them all before our eyes. Turn to the map of the Semitic world at the beginning of the book and make a very simple copy of it, according to the following directions: Mark the two great rivers in the east. Make the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea. Draw the River Nile. Make the coast line of the Red Sea. Locate Ur, Haran, Damascus, Canaan, Egypt. Make this map first in pencil and then ink it....

25 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§5. Abraham's Treatment of Lot (Gen. 13) And Abraham went out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South. And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the South even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Ai; unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abraham called on the name of the Lord. And Lot also, who went with Abraham,

6 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

11 (§5). Follow Abraham's journey back from Egypt along the coast road. He reached the district in Southern Canaan that was called "the South." What wealth did he have? What would he need for his cattle? Notice how this caused him to journey from place to place. 12 (§5). On the western plains of America there have been disputes between the cattle men over the rights of grazing. The big men have driven the little men away. Tell the story of this old dispute in Canaan. What plan of settlement did

1 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Think over and write out the three ways in which Abraham was magnanimous . If you watch carefully the conduct of the best people you know you will be sure to see somebody do a magnanimous act before the next lesson. When you see it write it down in your notebook as your review work....

17 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§8. Abraham's Devotion (Gen. 21:2, 3; 22:1-19) A. THE SACRIFICE OF THE FIRSTBORN And Sarah bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken unto him. And Abraham called the name of his son Isaac. And the child grew. And it came to pass, that God did prove Abraham and said unto him, "Abraham." And he said, "Here am I." And he said, "Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offeri

11 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

21. What promise had been made repeatedly to Abraham? But he had grown old and was still without a son. Yet the Lord repeated the promise and Abraham believed. At last to his great joy the son was born. It makes a man's life strong to believe that God will fulfil his promise. Faith and goodness are very near together (Gen. 15:6). A good boy believes his parents: surely he can believe God. 22 (§8A). In order to understand this story we must consider a strange and fearful custom of the old times.

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

We have finished the study of the "Father of the Faithful." He was a man who trusted God. Think over all that you have learned about him and write down in your notebook two or three ways in which you think that he showed his trust in God. Think whether there is any way in which you would be willing to trust God....

18 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§10. The Purchase of the Birthright (Gen. 25:25-34) Isaac and Rebekah had two sons who were twins. The first was red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau, and the name of his brother was called Jacob. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint:

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

31. No man is altogether good and no one is wholly bad. Good and evil struggle for the mastery in us. Jacob is a man in whom this is very clearly seen. He was the twin brother of Esau, but Esau had the right of the oldest son. This was called the birthright. It was very important in that day. It meant that after the father's death Esau would become the head of the tribe, and would have twice as much of the property as his brother. Jacob did not like this and began to scheme to get the better of

1 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Call to mind the meaning of magnanimous . Taking advantage of another's need as Jacob took advantage of Esau is the opposite of magnanimous. When the earthquake occurred in San Francisco some stores that had bread put up the price so high that very few could buy it. Soldiers compelled them to sell it for the regular price. How were those storekeepers like Jacob? Why was their conduct wrong? Write the answers to these two questions in your notebook....

23 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§13. Jacob's Return after Twenty Years (Gen. 29:1, 16, 23, 28; 30:43; 31:17, 18) And Jacob came to the land of the children of the East. And he served Laban, his mother's brother. And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. And Laban gave his two daughters to Jacob to be his wives. And Jacob increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and asses. And after twenty years Jacob rose up, and set his

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

43 (§13). There is a long and interesting story of Jacob's marriage and of his twenty years' service with Laban. It was a hard service, for Laban was a hard master and was very jealous of the prosperity of his son-in-law. But in spite of difficulty Jacob was successful, though in the game of wits he was not always very scrupulous. At last he determined to return to his own land, but was obliged to go secretly for fear of Laban. Even so, Laban pursued him and there was a hot dispute. But at last

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Tell your parents what you have learned about Jacob, and ask them if they ever knew a person who had done wrong and was in danger from it years afterward, and who was sorry for the wrong, and was helped by God's goodness. Write what they tell you in your notebook....

15 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§18. Joseph and His Dreams (Gen. 37:3-11) Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a long garment with sleeves. And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, "Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: for, behold, we w

5 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

52. The story of Joseph is remarkably beautiful and interesting. It is more fully told than many of the other stories, and we seem to know Joseph better than almost any of the older Bible characters. His life was full of startling adventure and shows how a strong, noble young hero can meet danger. 53 (§18). Joseph was the youngest but one of Jacob's sons. The others were grown up, and many statements show that they were not very good men. How did Jacob feel toward Joseph? He gave him a long garm

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Bear in mind Joseph's trouble in slavery and in prison, and try to find out about someone who has had a very hard time, but who is patiently and cheerfully doing his work, trusting in God. Write the account of it....

13 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§22. Joseph's Interpretation of the Dreams (Gen. 40) A. JOSEPH AND THE STATE PRISONERS And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against his two officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them,

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

61. Recall rapidly the story of Joseph as far as we have studied it. Read §21 and consider the situation of the young prisoner. 62 (§22A). Who were these two great men that were sent to prison? It was a high office to be cupbearer to the king. The butler's speech later shows that it was his duty to squeeze the grapes into a goblet of water, making the refreshing drink for his royal master. The officer who had charge of the kitchen in a great palace would also be an important man. In our time a F

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Like Joseph, you doubtless have some tasks put upon you that are unpleasant. Note one of those tasks this week. Do it as Joseph would have done. You will feel after you have done your best that it was worth while. Then think again how Joseph behaved. Write out in your notebook why Joseph always did his duty....

18 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§25. Joseph and the Guilty Brothers (Gen. 42) A. THE FIRST JOURNEY OF THE BROTHERS Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said unto his sons, "Why do ye look one upon another? Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die." And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, "Lest peradventure mischief befall

15 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

73. This a rather long chapter, but it is so full of interest that it would not be well to divide it. Recall the last chapter and tell what was the condition in Egypt and what was Joseph's position. 74 (§25A). We turn back in our story to what persons? What was happening to them? What was this journey, who went, why did they go, who remained behind? Compare this with Abraham's journey (§4). 75 (§25B). How did Joseph feel when he saw his brothers after so many years? How did he recognize them, wh

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Remember how happy Joseph was in forgiving his brethren. Read Rom. 12:20, 21. If anybody should annoy or anger you this week, try Joseph's plan. Instead of getting even with your enemy, be kind to him. See if you do not feel happier about it. Write in your notebook your own idea of whether Joseph was right in his forgiveness....

17 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§29. The Oppression of the Hebrews (Exod. 1:6-12, 22) And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, "Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come

4 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

84. In any nation one of the greatest heroes is the man who was the founder of the national life. The Italians look to the great Garibaldi, who delivered them from their enemies and brought about a united Italy. Americans call Washington the father of his country, because he was the leader in the great struggle to make America a nation. The Hebrews always looked back to Moses as their great deliverer, who brought them out of Egypt and made them a nation. The study of this hero takes us to the se

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Moses was obliged to be a shepherd instead of a wealthy Egyptian. So sometimes our plans are changed. But often it turns out for good. Ask your parents, or your pastor, or some friend, to tell you if anything ever happened to them that seemed at the time to upset all their plans of life, but which turned out to be of great value in their training. Write an account of it in your notebook....

22 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§34. The Call in the Wilderness (Exod. 3:1-11; 4:1-17) A. THE BURNING BUSH Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, wh

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

96 (§34A). We left Moses in Midian. Locate it again on the map. With whom did he live? What was his occupation? Notice that he came to Mt. Horeb, which is also called Mt. Sinai. Locate it on the map. 97 (§34A). As Moses was alone in the wilderness, his thoughts would naturally turn to his people. What would he wish for them? How greatly they needed a leader! If ever the thought occurred to him that he ought to be their leader, how would he feel about it? At last God's message came to him. It is

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Think over the story carefully and prepare for a debate, the students taking different sides on the question: Resolved that Moses was wrong in settling down in Midian and leaving his people so long without help....

12 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§37. The Plagues of Egypt (Exod. 7:14-18, 25; 8:1-4, 6, 8, 13, 15-17, 20-24, 28, 31, 32; 9:1-6, 8, 9, 22-28, 33, 34; 10:3-6, 14, 19-23, 28, 29; 11:4-8; 12:29-36) A. THE NILE TURNED TO BLOOD And the Lord said unto Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is stubborn, he refuseth to let the people go. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. And thou shalt sa

12 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

107. The story of the deliverance from Egypt makes a long chapter, but it is full of exciting interest and shows the fearless character of the great leader who trusted in his God. It was a bold thing for Moses to return to Egypt and try to persuade the king to let Israel go. But when he was sent to threaten Pharaoh it was indeed a task requiring courage. Imagine a single man to-day demanding of the sultan of Turkey that he should free his slaves. 108 (§37). Moses was sent to tell the king that t

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Let us try to see just what happened to the Hebrews. Draw a map of Egypt and the Sinai peninsula on a larger scale than that in your book. Mark Goshen, the region where the Hebrews lived. Mark the bitter lakes coming nearly to the Gulf of Suez. Connect these with a wavy line showing the shallow waters which were driven back for the passage of the Hebrews. Mark with a red line the road which the Hebrews might have taken along the coast road straight to Canaan and the road which they actually took

33 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§40. The Law at Sinai (Exod. 15:22-25, 27; 19:1) A. THE MARCH AND THE MURMURING And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters for they were bitter. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. And they came to Elim, where w

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

117. After the Revolutionary War, the thirteen American states adopted a constitution. Washington was the great leader. We all honor him now, but during his life many were jealous of him and the people often found fault with him and lost confidence in him. He was greatly tried and would have given up the presidency but for his sense of duty. So it was with Moses. He brought deliverance to the people and gave them their first great laws, but they constantly murmured against him and against God. T

5 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Draw a picture of two large tables of stone. Write the first five commandments on one, using just the first sentence of each commandment. Write the last five commandments on the other in full, except that for the tenth commandment use only its first four words. Do this very neatly....

14 minute read

Read Chapter

XIII. THE HEROES OF ISRAEL'S WANDERINGS

128. Our studies have brought us to the time when the Hebrews were about to enter the land of Canaan. Up to that time they were a wandering people going from place to place, seeking pasture for their flocks or refuge from famine. After they settled down they used to tell the stories of the heroes of the old wandering days. We have studied five of these. Who was called the Father of the Faithful? Who was his son? Who was the man who gave his name to the nation? Which of his sons became the ruler

2 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§43. The Twelve Spies (Num. 13:1, 2, 17-21, 25-28, 30-33; 14:1-10, 26-33) A. THE MISSION OF THE SPIES The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Send thou men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a prince among them." And Moses sent twelve men of the tribes of Israel, and of them Caleb was of the tribe of Judah and Joshua of the tribe of Ephraim. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Cana

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

141. We have followed the story of Moses to the time of his death. Now we shall go back to notice the part that two other heroes played in the wilderness. It was at the time when Moses had led the people from Mount Sinai toward the southern part of Canaan. Locate this journey on the map. 142 (§43A). Notice that we take up the Book of Numbers, which is so called because it tells of the census of the people in the wilderness. Try to imagine the feelings of the people who had come from slavery in E

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

This week you will undoubtedly have some difficult lessons assigned in school. It will seem that they are too hard and you will feel inclined to give them up. Do not be afraid of the giants, be like Joshua and Caleb and you can conquer if you are brave enough. Make up your mind to conquer some hard task each day. When you are sure you have really conquered a difficulty think how those heroes must have felt about the giants. Write in your notebook the reason why Caleb and Joshua wanted to do the

28 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§45. The Call of Gideon (Judg. 6:2-6, 11-24, 36-40) A. THE OPPRESSION OF THE MIDIANITES The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of Midian the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up and encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, and left no sustenance in Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and t

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

153. After the death of Joshua, the Hebrews had a hard time from their many enemies. Just as our forefathers were constantly in danger from the Indians, so the Hebrew settlers were often attacked and their goods taken from them. But in their case it was worse, because their enemies often came against them in great armies and conquered them. Israel had no king or governor, but from time to time some hero rose up to deliver them. These men were called "judges," because in addition to leading the p

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Make a search during the next week for an example of some brave person standing up like Gideon for a good cause when others hold back. There is sure to be someone if you are keen enough to find him. It may be at school or in the city, or you may hear of someone in the newspapers. Talk it over with your companions until you have found the best example. Write about it in your notebook....

23 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§48. The Birth of Samson (Judg. 13:2-6, 24) There was a certain man of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife bare no child. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, "Behold now, thou shalt bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: for, lo, thou shalt bear a son; and no razor shall come upon his head: for the child shall be a Nazirite unto God from his birth: and he shall begin to save

11 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

163. All peoples have their old stories of heroes who had great strength. The Greeks had their Hercules and the Hebrews had their Samson. In reading his story we must remember that it belongs to a rude age, when men's passions were strong and they had not learned the gentler ways of life. The story is full of adventure; it is very well told; it shows us much of the old Hebrew life; and it helps us to see how hard the lot of the people must have been under their oppressors. Of course they remembe

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Discuss the question whether Samson ought to have been put among the heroes of Israel. Read over the story carefully and see why the Hebrews would have wished to class him with their heroes. Read it again to see what there is against giving him that distinction. Prepare for a debate upon the question....

15 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§53. The Three Widows (Ruth 1:1-5) And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech, Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they to

11 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

176. We study one of the heroines of Israel. She was a foreigner of the country of Moab, but held a most important place in Israel's history as the great-grandmother of King David. The story tells of her devotion and of its reward. 177 (§53). Notice the time in which the story is placed. The town which is mentioned is well known to us because of one who was born there long afterward: who was he? The farmer with his wife and two sons went over to the rich high country of Moab. Locate it on the ma

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

We do not always see the heroism that is just about us. The only women whom we think about as heroines are those who have done some great public work, but there is many a heroine who is quietly giving up her ambitions to make the home happy as Ruth gave up herself to go with Naomi. Ask your mother to tell you about some young woman who gave up opportunity of education, or ease, or pleasure, in order to help the family. Write about it in your notebook....

25 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§58. The Birth of Samuel (I Sam. 1:1-4, 8-28; 2:11) A. HANNAH'S GRIEF Now there was a certain man of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah. And the name of his wife was Hannah and she had no children. And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests unto the Lord, were there. And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, Hannah wept, and did not eat. And Elka

9 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

189. We turn to the Books of Samuel, which take their name from one of the great heroes of Israel. He did not write the books, for they contain the story of what happened long after his death, but as he was the noblest character in the books they were named after him. 190 (§58A). At the beginning of this story we learn that Elkanah the husband and Hannah his wife had no children. They had gone up to Shiloh to the sacred building that was called the house of God, and had celebrated a sacred feast

4 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Think of what paragraph 196 means to you. It is at Samuel's age that most young people come into the full membership of the church. Write what you think that means....

10 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§62. The Meeting of Samuel and Saul (I Sam. 9:1-25) A. SAUL SEEKING THE DONKEYS Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, a mighty man of valor. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a young man and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. And the asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, "Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go s

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

202 (§62A). Look at the map of Canaan and find the tribe of Benjamin. Is it a very large tribe? The tribes occupied separate districts, something like our states. This story is going to tell us about how the first king was chosen, so it is particular to tell us where he came from and how it happened. What kind of man was Saul? Some animals that are used very much in Palestine had strayed: tell about them. 203 (§62A). Saul and the servant had wandered a long way looking for the donkeys, probably

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Consider which man you would rather have been: A wise, good man who was magnanimous enough to see that a king was needed and to choose him, or the vigorous man who could conquer the enemies and win the kingship. Think carefully of the heroic qualities of each of them. Write down which you admire the most and why you would rather be that one....

19 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§65. The New King and the Old Foes (I Sam. 13:2-7, 15-17; 14:1-23) A. THE OUTBREAK OF WAR When Saul had reigned two years over Israel, he chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with him in Michmash and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet thr

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

215 (§65A). There was a strong enemy on the western coast that was the most serious trouble to Israel. It was to save themselves from these people that the Hebrews had longed for a king. Imagine how we should feel if some foreign nation should capture New York and Chicago and St. Louis and San Francisco and should compel us to give up a large part of our crops every year. We should look for a great general to lead us to turn them out. What then did Saul feel was his first duty as king? He had wi

4 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Imagine that you were Jonathan's armorbearer. Write a letter home, just as the young man might, telling what happened that day. Make it as full of description as possible....

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§67. The Anointing of David (I Sam. 16:1-13) And the Lord said unto Samuel, "I have rejected Saul from being king over Israel. Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons." And Samuel said, "How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me." And the Lord said, "Take an heifer with thee, and say, 'I am come to sacrifice to the Lord.' And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt

10 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

225 (§67). It is a surprise to read that Saul who had begun his reign so well had made a failure so early. But he was a headstrong man. He would not take Samuel's advice, and the old prophet realized that a new king would have to be chosen. We have now the interesting story of how David was given his first knowledge of the great future that was before him. 226 (§67). Tell the story of the plan for a visit to Bethlehem. What did Samuel think when he saw Jesse's oldest son? What did the Lord tell

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

When David was practicing with his sling and keeping his flocks he little thought that he would ever be king of Israel. We do not know how our common duties are getting us ready for a greater work. Make a list of the principal things that you will have to do this week. Write them down in your notebook. Then write down what good you think they will do to prepare you for your work when you are grown up....

24 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§70. Saul's Jealousy of David (I Sam. 18:6-9, 27-29; 19:1-18) A. THE BEGINNING OF THE JEALOUSY And it came to pass as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, And Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed unto David ten

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

234. When David returned victorious from the fight with Goliath, Jonathan, the king's son, made a fast friendship with him. Read §69. What do you think each of these young men would admire in the other? There was the beginning that day of a life-long friendship. 235 (§70A). It is still the custom among the Arabs for the women to go dancing and singing to meet the warriors returning from a fight. The women of Israel had the simplest musical instrument, the tambourine, such as the Salvation Army w

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Have you known a friend who was magnanimous when he might have been jealous? Write about it in your notebook....

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§72. The Band of Outlaws (I Sam. 22:1, 2; 23:1-8, 13, 14; 25:2-42) A. THE GATHERING OF THE BAND David arose and fled for fear of Saul, and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And they told David, sa

11 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

244. It was clear to David that Saul had determined to kill him. He therefore decided to flee to his own tribe of Judah and to dwell in the mountains where it would be hard for Saul to reach him. The caves in the Judean hills have been the refuge all through the centuries for those who were in danger from the government. In thus fleeing from the king, David became an outlaw, that is, one who refuses to be under the law. Of course he was obliged to do so by the king's tyranny. 245 (§72A). Adullam

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Imagine that you were Abishai. Write the story as though you were telling your brother Joab about that night when you crept with David to the sleeping camp. Describe all that happened and tell what you thought of David....

12 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§74. The Way to the Throne (I Sam. 31:1-6; II Sam. 1:1-4, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27; 2:1-4, 8-11; 3:1; 5:1-3) A. THE BATTLE OF GILBOA Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was gr

7 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

257. David spent many years as captain of his outlaw band, first in the mountains of Judah and then in Philistia. The Philistines thought he had given up his own people and become one of them. Fortunately, however, they did not wish him to fight against Saul, so he was not obliged to meet that difficulty. He had simply to wait till the end of Saul's reign. It came very tragically. 258 (§74A). The battles of Israel were generally fought on the broad plain of Esdraelon. Find it on the map southeas

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Draw an outline map of Canaan. Mark Jerusalem which David made his capital. Mark the territory of each of the enemies whom David conquered. You will find that you will have to go all around the map showing that David had to defend his people on every side....

15 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§76. The Treacherous Son and the Loyal Friends (II Sam. 14:25, 26; 15:1-15, 18-37) A. ABSALOM'S BEAUTY AND TREACHERY Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head, (now it was at every year's end that he cut it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he cut it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's

11 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

265. David did not bring up his sons well and there were very bad family quarrels. At last Absalom murdered one of his brothers and was obliged to flee. The king allowed him to return, but the wicked young man planned to rebel against his father. 266 (§76A). What are we told of this handsome young man? Beauty of face and figure is very desirable, but it frequently makes a person vain and selfish. Probably Absalom had been admired and spoiled, and had come to think only of himself. 267 (§76A). Ho

4 minute read

Read Chapter

XXVI. TEN HEROES OF ISRAEL

After we had studied the heroes of Israel's wanderings we looked back over the stories and tried to remember the great characters we had learned to know. Now we have added ten more heroes to our acquaintance since Moses. Let us look back over the stories of these ten, and see if we can remember about them. 277. Moses brought the people near to Canaan and then sent twelve spies into the land to find out about it. Ten of the men were afraid, and said that the Hebrews could not conquer it, but two

2 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§78. Solomon's Wise Choice (I Kings 2:12; 3:3-15) Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly. And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, "Ask what I shall give thee." And Solomon said, "Thou hast showed un

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

290. We are to study the story of the man whom the Hebrews loved to think of as one of their heroes, because of his great wisdom and wealth. He was the most splendid of all their kings. To be sure he laid very heavy taxes upon the people to raise money for his magnificence, but the later ages forgot all that in admiration of his glory. 291 (§78). When David died he left a throne to his son that was secure from all enemies. The young king had a great opportunity to be a noble ruler. Read carefull

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Recall the lines about the Duke of Wellington and write them in your notebook. Find out if there is any man in your own state of whom that would be true. Find someone in politics or business or in one of the professions who has been more anxious to do his duty than for anything else and to whom reward has come. Write an account of it....

19 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§81. Elijah and the Drought (I Kings 16:30-17:24) A. THE STARTLING PROPHECY Ahab the son of Omri did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab did yet more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings o

10 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

301. In the beautiful city of Florence in Italy there was once a great prince named Lorenzo, whose reign was very splendid, but who oppressed the people and lived an evil life. The people followed his bad example and there was great immorality in Florence. But a fearless preacher came to the city who told the prince and the people plainly of their sins. Great crowds went to hear him and he became the most influential man in Florence. By his stirring words he compelled the government to give back

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Imagine yourself present at the scene on Mt. Carmel and that your parents were unable to go. How would you tell them the story of all that happened that day? Write it out just as you would have told it, if you were a young Israelite on that great occasion....

16 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§83. Elijah's Discouragement (I Kings 19:1-21) A. THE BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time." And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself

9 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

313. How did the great day close after Elijah had defeated the prophets of Baal? How do you think Ahab felt about it? Elijah probably hoped to see a complete return of the people to the Lord and he expected the wicked queen Jezebel to be prevented from interfering with the prophets of the Lord. 314 (§83A). What did Ahab do when he returned home? What did Jezebel decide? Was she willing to give up her power? Elijah saw that nothing had been gained, for the wicked queen was still in control. Where

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Ahab, although in many respects an able king, showed himself in this incident a bully. A bully is one who does wrong to a person who is too weak to resist. There is generally a bully in every school. Is there also a hero? Write what you think a hero ought to do with a bully....

18 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§86. The Payment of the Widow's Debt (II Kings 4:1-7) Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, "Thy servant my husband is dead: and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be slaves." And Elisha said unto her, "What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house?" And she said, "Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil." Then he said, "Go,

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

325. Different kinds of men are needed for different times. Severe contests require vigorous men: times of trouble require patient men. When the king and all Israel were going into heathen worship, the strong, stern Elijah was the man to force them back to right conduct. But when the kingdom of Israel fell into great weakness and was beaten again and again by the Syrians, there was need of a prophet who could comfort and encourage the nation. The young man who had been trained by Elijah was fitt

3 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Tell your parents, or some friend, what you have learned about Elisha, and explain that you are to write a short story in your notebook on "A Hero of Helpfulness." Ask them if they can tell you about some good doctor who was unselfish and kindly and gave himself for the good of others. Or perhaps they know some pastor who was always seeking to help his people and cared very little what good things he got himself. Or they may be able to tell you of a good woman who spent her life in doing good to

34 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§90. Nehemiah's Plans (Neh. 1:1-4, 11. 2:1-9, 11-13, 16-18) A. NEHEMIAH'S SORROW FOR JERUSALEM Now it came to pass as I was in Shushan the palace, that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, "The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken do

8 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

335. When a man has been prominent in a great undertaking it is very interesting to have his own account of it. General Grant was persuaded by friends to write a story of his own campaigns. It was called "Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant," the word "memoirs" meaning his own recollections of the events. Perhaps the first man who ever wrote such a personal story was the Governor of Judah, 2,300 years ago. The story we study here might be called "Personal Memoirs of Nehemiah." 336. Nehemiah was

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

You will probably find that people to-day are opposed in their determination to do what is right in just the same three ways that Nehemiah suffered. Keep a good lookout during the week and see if you can find anyone, young or old, trying to do some right thing while somebody else laughs, or while somebody tries to stop it by force, or while somebody tells falsehoods about it. If you find any hero who goes straight on in right-doing in spite of these oppositions, give a short account of it in you

27 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§93. Esther Made Queen (Esther 1:1, 5, 7, 9, 11-13, 15, 16, 19, 21; 2:1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 15-18, 20) A. QUEEN VASHTI DEPOSED King Ahasuerus made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace. And they gave them in vessels of gold royal wine in abundance, according to every man's pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house. On the seventh day, when the heart of t

11 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

346. Among the stories of their heroes the Jews preserved several stories of heroines, and none is more striking than that of the patriot queen, whose extraordinary bravery saved her people. There are many kinds of bravery, some in doing, some in suffering. Let us try to get a correct judgment of Esther. 347 (§93A). The first part of the story shows how Esther became the queen of Persia. What kind of feast did the king give? What command did he give to Vashti? Let us remember that ladies in the

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Recall Mordecai's suggestion to Esther (p. 356). In the days of chivalry knights had a motto: Noblesse oblige meaning that those of noble rank had an obligation to serve those in need. Any strength or good we have is not for our own use, but to help others with. Take this as your motto. Draw a banner and inscribe in colors: Noblesse oblige ....

20 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§96. The Tyrant and the Heroes (I Macc. 1:41-50, 54-57; 2:1-7, 14, 15, 17-25, 27, 28, 44, 45, 48-50, 64-66, 70) A. THE TYRANNY OF ANTIOCHUS Antiochus, king of Syria, who had rule over many peoples and over the Jews, wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, and that each should forsake his own laws. And all the nations agreed according to the word of the king, and many of Israel consented to his worship, and sacrificed to the idols, and profaned the sabbath. And the king sent le

6 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

357. Three hundred years ago King Philip II of Spain was the most powerful king in Europe. He was a bitter tyrant, determined to rule his people according to his own will. He was a Roman Catholic and hated all Protestants. The little country of Holland was part of his territory and he ordered the people to become Roman Catholics. They refused, for they were loyal to their own religion. He sent against them a great army under the command of a brutal general, Alva, and all Europe thought that the

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Imagine yourself a boy (or girl) about thirteen years old, living in the village of Modin a little over two thousand years ago. Imagine that you were present on the day when the officers came to command the heathen sacrifice. Then imagine yourself writing a letter describing everything that took place that day. Write it in the first person to some friend who was absent. Describe the whole scene just as it lies in your mind, and tell what you think of the heroes....

25 minute read

Read Chapter

THE STORY

§98. The Training of the Young Men (Daniel 1:1-19) When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came against Jerusalem and captured it, certain of the youths of the nobility were taken and given into the charge of the master of the king's servants that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they might stand

10 minute read

Read Chapter

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

367. In the last chapter we studied the bitter persecution of the Jews in the time of Antiochus. God sent them a great deliverer in Judas the Hammerer. He also sent them a helper who told them heroic stories of the olden time to encourage them to believe that God would surely deliver them. These stories were of Daniel and his three friends who were taken to Babylon in the captivity. They were under great temptation to be untrue to their religion. We can see how these stories would help the peopl

2 minute read

Read Chapter

WRITTEN REVIEW

Think about Daniel's refusal to do wrong. You have probably known one of your companions who refused to do some wrong when it was hard to refuse. Young people can be heroes in standing up for duty. Write about anybody whom you have known who did this. Or perhaps you will find somebody actually doing such a thing now. Make a good story of it for your notebook....

19 minute read

Read Chapter

XXXV. SEVEN HEROIC NAMES

376. The Hebrews always looked back to their magnificent king, whom they thought of as the wisest of men. What was his name? Tell the story of his great building. (§79; I Kings 5:2-6. [2] ) 377. What great prophet was the champion of pure religion? Tell the story of the test at Mount Carmel. (§82; I Kings 18:20-24.) 378. King Ahab had a fine palace in Jezreel and Naboth had a vineyard near by. Tell the story of the king's covetousness. Why did Elijah interfere? (§84; I Kings 21:17-23.) 379. Who

2 minute read

Read Chapter

CONSTRUCTIVE BIBLE STUDIES

Kindergarten Series The Sunday Kindergarten: Game, Gift, and Story. By Carrie S. Ferris . Teacher's manual, $1.25 net; postpaid $1.40. Pupil's material: Permanent, $1.00 net, postage extra; Temporary, 35 cents net, postage extra. Elementary Series Grades I-VIII Child Religion in Song and Story. (The Child in His World.) By Georgia L. Chamberlin and Mary Root Kern . Teacher's manual, $1.25 net; postpaid $1.39. Sunday Story Reminders, for the pupil, 40 cents net; postpaid 45 cents. Child Religion

3 minute read

Read Chapter