The History of Israel
Joshua to David
Table of Contents / Overview
- Joshua and the Conquest of the Land
- The Time of the Judges
- Israel - The Kingdom of God
- David
- Questions
THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL
INTRODUCTION
In the last lesson we considered the Covenant at Sinai and the Law of Moses. While the Children of Israel were camped at Sinai they built the Tabernacle as a place of worship and it was set up in the centre of the camp. The instructions for the building of the tabernacle and the altar and the ark and all things connected with it came from God through Moses. Moses himself, however, was not allowed to enter the promised land.
- READ
- Exodus 25 v 8-9 & v 40
JOSHUA AND THE CONQUEST OF THE LAND
Joshua was appointed leader of the people of Israel after the death of Moses. He led their successful campaign of conquest of the land. The first city to be taken was Jericho. Note Rahab's part in the campaign.
She was adopted into the tribe of Judah and had an inheritance in Israel. The history of this invasion of the land is given in the book of Joshua. The land east of the Jordan had been given by Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, but all the rest of the land was apportioned among the remaining tribes.
- READ
- Joshua 1 v 1-9
- Joshua ch. 6
- Numbers 33 v 50-56
- Joshua 13 v 7-8
THE TIME OF THE JUDGES
After the death of Joshua many different leaders "judged" or ruled the people. Read JUDGES ch. 2 carefully as this gives an account of the way in which the Children of Israel continually went astray from God and how God punished them. This continual falling away from God's laws occurred throughout the period of the Judges and was largely due to the influence of the surrounding nations.
- READ
- Judges ch. 2
- Deuteronomy 7 v 1-11
- Judges 3 v 1-7
Note this very important lesson of separation. The servants of God today should keep away from "the world" around and its evil influences which tend to separate them from God. This same lesson is apparent throughout the history of the people of Israel.
- READ
- I John 2 v 15-17
By contrast note also the continuing love and mercy of God towards his people, his forbearance and his repeated forgivenessof their transgressions. When the people repented and turned again to God then he gave them deliverance from their enemies, sometimes by spectacular victories e.g. Gideon, Barak and Samson.
- READ
- Judges ch. 4
- Judges ch. 6-7
- Judges chs. 14-16
Not all the Children of Israel went away from God during the times of the Judges. There were still some faithful God-fearing ones who tried to serve and obey Him. The book of Ruth shows this very clearly.
- READ
- Ruth ch. 1
Ruth was the great-grandmother of David.
- READ
- Ruth 4 v 18-22
Both Rahab and Ruth who were Gentile women were accepted into Israel to become "people of God" because of their faith and trust in Him. Matthew mentions both as being ancestors of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- READ
- Matthew 1 v 5-6
- Hebrews 11 v 31
- James 2 v 24-26
Samuel was the last of the Judges.
ISRAEL - THE KINGDOM OF GOD
During the days of Samuel the people asked him to appoint a king over them. God was displeased with this request because He was their king as they had been constituted at Sinai "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation". However, God told Samuel to grant their request but, at the same time, warn them of the consequences.
- READ
- I Samuel 8 v 1-9
- I Samuel 8 v 19-22
- Exodus 19 v 5-6
- I Samuel 12 v 12-19
Saul, the first king, was the sort of king the people wanted - a tall strong handsome man and a brave warrior. With the help of Samuel and the blessing of God he waged a successful war against the Philistines.
- READ
- I Samuel 14 v 47-48
However, the Philistines were a continual source of trouble to the Israelites until David eventually subdued them.
But Saul disobeyed God's commands given through Samuel.
- READ
- I Samuel ch.13
- I Samuel ch. 15
GOD REQUIRES OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS - THIS IS A FIRST ESSENTIAL IN GOD'S DEALINGS WITH MAN.
- READ
- Isaiah 66 v 1-2
- Hosea 6 v 6
- Micah 6 v 6-8
- Matthew 9 v 13
- Matthew 12 v 7
- Mark 12 v 32-33
DAVID
Samuel was instructed to anoint David to be king in place of Saul.
- READ
- I Samuel 16 v 1-13
The two books of Samuel and the first book of Chronicles tell of the events of David's life and reign.
David's trust in God was shown very clearly when he fought Goliath who had defied the God of Israel.
- READ
- I Samuel 17 v 26
- I Samuel 17 v 34-37
Saul became jealous of David and sought his life but David did not seek revenge. On at least two occasions he could have killed Saul, but he had trust in God and waited in patience for the day when he should become king as God had promised.
- READ
- I Samuel ch. 24
- I Samuel ch. 26
David was the first king from the tribe of Judah and throughhis line came Jesus Christ.
- READ
- Matthew 1 v 1
- Luke 2 v 4
THE NEXT LESSON WILL CONTINUE THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL
QUESTIONS
- Outline briefly the taking of Jericho and the part that Rahab played.
- What was the primary reason for Israel turning away from God and what is the lesson for us?
- Describe how one of the Judges delivered Israel.
- Why was God displeased that the people asked for a king?
- What was Saul's great weakness? Give ONE example.
- How did David show his trust in God?