WEEK 10

SUBJECT:    CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

CLASS:    SS 2

DATE:    ………………………………

TOPIC:    EXAMPLE    OF    ELI,    SAMUEL    AND    ASA    (THEME    4:    PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY)

CONTENT:

• The irresponsible behaviour of Eli’s sons and Samuel 1 Samuel 2: 12-25; 8: 1-9.

• God’s pronouncement of judgment on Eli and his sons, 1 Samuel 2; 27-36; 3: 1-18.

• The fulfillment of god’s judgment on Eli and his family. 1 Samuel 4: 10-22.

• Example of- Asa-(i) Asa the king pleased god. 1 king 15: 9-15.

(ii)King Jehoshaphat followed his father’s way of life 1 kings 22: 41-44

Sub Topic 1: THE IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR OF ELI’S SONS AND SAMUEL: 1SAMUEL 2: 12-25; 8: 1-9.

Hophni and Phinehas were two brothers – sons of Eli the Priest in Shiloh– whom God punished for their contempt, immorality and lack of repentance.

His sons were assistant Priests who helped him with the work of God. Hophni and Phinehas did so many evil in the sight of God with hardened heart.

Normally, they were entitled to fat, the breast and shoulder of any animal that was sacrificed to the Lord; but they forcefully requested for raw meat or thrust their large forks into the boiling pots of cooked meat for sacrifice. At other times, they would sleep with women right there in the temple.

The sons of Samuel, Joel and Abijah, succeeded their Father as judges. In spite of their father’s good and past records, these men were corrupt judges. i.e. they took bribe and prevented justice. This was unacceptable for the Israelites; They therefore demanded for a king.

EVALUATION:

1. State those things Hophni and Phinehas engaged in that made them spell bound for God’s judgment?

(b) In what four way did Israel suffer as a result Eli’s parental irresponsibility.?

1. Explain what led to Monarchy in Israel.

Sub-Topic 2: GOD’S PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT ON ELI AND HIS SONS 1 SAMUEL 2; 27-36; 3: 1-18.

God in his infinite mercy sent a message of doom to Eli through Samuel – the son of Hannah. He was dedicated to the Lord and thereby lived in the temple and served alongside Eli’s sons. Eli replied Samuel “it is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth Him good”.

These messages of doom are:

1. Death of all young men in his family.
2. Eli would be troubled and look with envy on all blessings He would give to other people of Israel.
3. The only man in his house who would be spared and allowed to be a priest would weep bitterly.
4. All his other descendants would die violently.
5. His two sons would die on the same day.
6. Any of his descendants who survived would have to go to the priest and ask for money and food, would beg to be allowed to help the priest in order to have something to eat.

EVALUATION:

1. List the six messages of doom sent through Samuel to Eli.

SUB TOPIC 3: THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S JUDGMENT ON ELI AND HIS FAMILY 1 SAMUEL 4: 10-22.

There was war between Philistines and the Israelites but the Israelites were given an overwhelming defeat. Thirty thousand of them including Hophni and Phinehas were killed and above all the ark of God was captured.

In the long run, a man from the tribe of Benjamin escaped and disclosed the sad news to Eli – who was ninety-eight years and has judged Israel for forty years.

On hearing these, he was shocked, fell from his chair, broke his neck and died.

The same day Eli died, his two sons died, his daughter-in-law – Phinehas’ wife died during child birth (she named the child Ichabod), and the ark of God was taken.

EVALUATION:

1. Narrate what led to the defeat of the Israelites and Eli’s untimely death.

SUB TOPIC:4. EXAMPLE OF ASA .

• : ASA THE KING PLEASED GOD. 1 KING 15: 9-15.
  

Asa of Judah became king during the twentieth year of king Jeroboam of Israel. He ruled Judah for forty-one years. He was the son of Abijah – one of the worst kings of Israel – grandson of Rehoboam. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. He did not follow his father’s principles but did what was right in the sight of God.

Asa had some outstanding achievements. These includes:

1. Removal and destroying of all idols which his father – Abijah had installed.
2. Removal of male cult prostitutes from the land
3. Removal of his grandmother – Maacah from being queen mother because she had abominable images made for Asherah.
4. He cut down the image of Asherah and burnt it at the brook of Kidron (except for the high places were not taken away).
5. He was steadfast before God.
6. He stamped out Canaanite practices, he abolished idolatry in the land; thereby cleansing the temple of evil worship.
7. Asa brought votive gifts including gold, silver and vessels into the house of God.

iix.    He finally raised his children in the way and fear of the Lord.

EVALUATION:

• To what extent was the moral uprightness of King Asa’s son due to his father’s parental responsibility.?

• List five outstanding achievements of Asa during his reign.

• How did Asa discharge his parental responsibility to his offspring?

• : KING JEHOSHAPHAT FOLLOWED HIS FATHER’S WAYOF LIFE 1 KING 22: 41-44

Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of the reign of Ahab in Israel. Although he did not remove the high places where the people still sacrificed and burnt incense to them, he was faithful to the Lord throughout his life and made peace with king of Israel. It was recorded that he walked in the ways of his father – Asa as he was influenced by his father’s religious reforms.

EVALUATION:

State how Jehoshaphat sustained his father’s achievement as King in Israel.

GENERAL EVALUATION:

Objective Test:

• Hophni and Phinehas had treated the sacrifice of the Lord with contempt at Shiloh for they

1. demanded for raw meat rather than boiled ones. b. demanded for a larger part of the burnt offering. c. conceals the people’s offering from God. d. demanded for better part of the meat.

1. Eli, the priest in Shiloh, was condemned because he     a. allowed his children to deprive God his share of the sacrifice. B. allowed the ark of God to be taken c. did not allow his children to officiate in the temple
2. Eli’s lack of parental responsibility led his sons into doing all the followingexcept    a. Taking meat forcefully b. violent behaviour against temple worshippers c. treating God’s sacrifice with respect d. paying little regard to their father’s voice
3. The boy Samuel wearing a linen ephod means that he was a boy     a. Judge b. prophet c. priest

1. seer

1. Ichabod means     a. The morning glory b. the glory has departed c. glory has come d. God’s

patience in glory.

• Asa was regarded as a responsible king because he

1. 1. 1. Tolerated the male cults prostitutes of his day
      2. Allowed his mother to remain the queen
      3. Allowed the high places to remain
      4. Made his heart wholly true to the Lord all his day

• Asa, the king of Judah, did what was right in the eyes of the Lord because he

1. 1. 1. Completed the building of the temple
      2. Put away the male cult prostitutes
      3. Built the city fortress
      4. Removed the high places

• Which of the following did not form the religious reform of Asa?

1. 1. 1. Abolition of male cults
      2. Removal of all idols
      3. Destruction of the high places
      4. Removal of Maacah from being queen mother

• During his reign, he cut down and burnt the image made for Asherah at

1. 1. 1. Brook Cherith
      2. Brook Kidron
      3. River Jordan
      4. River Nile

• All were imperfect in child up-bringingexcept

a.Samuel b.Eli c.David d.Asa

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

• Describe the sins of Eli’s sons.

• Briefly account on the prophecy of doom on the house of Eli.

• How did the Bible assess the reign of Kings Asa and Jehoshaphat?

• Briefly explain how Eli, Samuel and King Asa succeeded in discharging their parental responsibility?

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:

1. To what extent was the moral weakness of Eli’s sons due to their father’s lack of parental responsibility? How did God react to this lapse?(JUNE 1994 SSCE)
2. Describe the religious reformation in Judah during the reign of Asa.(SSCE DECEMBER 1994)

(b) How did this influence his son Jehoshaphat?(SSCE DECEMBER 1994) PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT:

1. Study the reign of king Asa and how it effected Jehoshaphat positively.
2. READ FROM WEEK 2-11 as preparation for the next (revision) week.

WEEKEND ACTIVITY:

1. Write an essay on how your Parents way of life has had effect on your lifestyle.

REFERENCE TEXTS:

• CRS for SS2 by L.O Udokporo et al; by Melrose Publishers.

• Fundamentals of CRK for SSS Book One/SSCE Section A by A.E. Osubele; Doves Publishers.

• Essential CRK for SSS by Edmond Okoli; Tonad Publishers Limited.

• Revised Standard Version Holy Bible (RSV); Bible Society.