The Book of Jonah is a battle of wills. If there ever was a book of the Bible that dealt with a man matching his will and wits against the Lord, it’s the Book of Jonah. You don’t have to read very far to realize the fruitlessness of that endeavor! Have you ever battled the Lord over anything?

To understand the gospel record of Jesus Christ, we must go back before the beginning of time where the Son of God already dwells. This lesson deals with the very important truth that God’s Son did not begin at the time of His birth in a manger. He existed in eternity past and was the Creator of all things.

The crossing of the Jordan River marks a major change in the lives of the Israelites. They are leaving the wilderness behind and entering into the Promised Land.

In this lesson, the people of Israel are granted their request for a king. This lesson tells of Saul’s call, anointing and presentation to the people.

After the record of the miraculous birth of Samuel in chapter one and the praiseful prayer of Hannah in chapter two (1 Samuel 2:1-10), we are introduced to the spiritual famine of this time – which is still the time of the judges.

Samson’s life is a riddle—much like the riddle that he tells to his companions. In the end, Samson’s strength is destroyed by his lust after the so-called sweet things of the flesh.

Though all men are doing what is right in their own eyes, God is still keeping account and judging the wicked.

Gideon wins the war against the Midianites, righteously refuses to be king and judges Israel for forty years. Yet in making the ephod, he sets Israel up for their next plunge into idolatry and rebellion.

After the death of Ehud, the Israelites begin again to do what is right in their own eyes. As is often the case, what is right in the eyes of man is evil in the eyes of the Lord.

When God’s people get away from the Lord, they begin to give Him the leftovers. Their service to God becomes a weariness to them.