NAME: MRS OKECHUKWU N.

SUBJECT: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES CLASS: S S 2 SECOND TERM

SCHEME OF WORK

WEEKS TOPICS

Revision of last term’s work

TOPIC: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY (EXAMPLE OF ELI AND SAMUEL)
1. The irresponsible behaviour of Eli’s sons and Samuel 1 Samuel 2: 12-25; 8: 1-9. Ii. God’s
pronouncement of judgment on Eli and his sons, 1 Samuel 2; 27-36; 3: 1-18. Iii. The fulfillment
of god’s judgment on Eli and his family. 1 Samuel 4: 10-22.
2. Parental Responsibilities (Example of Asa): Asa the king pleased the God. 1 King 15: 9; (b) King
Jehoshaphat followed his father’s way of life 1 king 22: 41-44
CONSEQUENCES OF OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE
3. Consequences of obedience: (a) Joseph was honoured for obeying the God’s law. Ex. 20: 14-;
Gen. 39: 7-12 (b) David was rewarded for respecting a civil rule, Exodus. 20: 13; 1 Sam. 26: 1-12,
(c) The three Hebrew youths escaped death for obeying God to avoid idolatry, Ex. 20: 3; Daniel
3: 1-30 (d) Esther obeyed Mordecai, Esther 4: 1-16
4. Consequences of disobedience: (a) Saul’s disobedience 1 Sam.15; 1-19 (b) consequences of
Saul’s Disobedience i. Rejection as king 1 Sam. 15: 20-26; ii. Spirit of God left him 1 Sam. 16: 14-
23; iii. He and son died the same 1 Sam. 31: 1-13 (c) others who suffered for their disobedience
1 Kings 13: 11-24; 1 Sam. 2: 22-25; 4:10-11.
FRIENDSHIP
5. Friendship: (a) Friendship between Jesus, Martha and Mary was cordial, Lk. 10: 32-42;
Friendship between Jesus and Lazarus John 11: 1-44; David, Saul and Jonathan 1 Sam. 18: 19
(b) Types of friendship John 6: 60-71; (C) Characteristics of good and bad friends.
SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD
6. Trust in God: (a) David submits to the will of God; 1 Samuel 26: 1-25; 2 Samuel 12: 15-25, (b)
Jonah submits to the will of God, Jonah 1-2
MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN
7. Wisdom of Solomon: (a) Solomon’s request for wisdom from God, 1 Kings 3: 3-15. (b) How
Solomon applied his wisdom 1 King 3:16-23, 4: 29-34. (c) Building the temple and its dedication
1 Kings 5: 1-12; 8: 1-53
8. Unwise decisions of Solomon and Rehoboam: (a) Solomon unwise decision 1 King 9: 15-23;
11: 1-13 (b) Rehoboam’s unwise decision and its consequences, 1 Kings 12: 1-20
GREED AND ITS EFFECTS
9. The effect of greed (Ahab and Gehazi): (a) Ahab seize Naboth’s vineyard I Kings 21: 1- (b) The
effect of Ahab’s greed 1 Kings 21: 17-29 (c) Gehazi’s greed and its consequences, 2 Kings 5: 1-27
10. Revision
11. Examination

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 WEEK 1

TOPIC: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY (EXAMPLE OF ELI AND SAMUEL)

SUB-TOPICS
2 THE IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR OF ELI’S SONS AND SAMUEL 1 SAMUEL 2: 12-25; 8: 1-9.
3 GOD’S PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT ON ELI AND HIS SONS, 1 SAMUEL 2; 27-36; 3: 1-18.
4 THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S JUDGMENT ON ELI AND HIS FAMILY. 1 SAMUEL 4: 10-22.

THE IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR OF ELI’S SONS AND SAMUEL 1 SAMUEL 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 and 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. Eli as we all know was a priest in Israel, he ruled Israel as
a priest for forty years. He had two sons namely Hophini and Phinihas who were wayward they succeeded their
father Eli as a result of his old age. His children exhibited the following characters

1.) They had no regard for God

2.) They were greedy and corrupt
3.) The treated the offspring of the lord with contempt
4.) They took the meat of sacrifice raw instead of allowing it to boil
5.) They took bribe and perverted justice
6.) They also lay with women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting
7.) They blasphemed God
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 serves alongside Eli’s sons. Eli
replied Samuel ‘’He is the Lord; let Him do what seems Him good”. It must be noted that Eli did
his best to caution his children over their sins, but he did not back it up with action. His children refused
to listen to him, there by refusing to report and return to the path of righteousness
These messages of doom are:
i. Death of all young men in his family.
ii. Eli would be troubled and look with envy on all blessings He would give to other people of
Israel.
iii. The only man in his house who would be spared and allowed to be a priest would weep
bitterly.
iv. All his other descendants would die violently.
v. His two sons would die on the same day.
vi. 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.
THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S JUDGMENT ON ELI AND HIS FAMILY. 1 SAMUEL 4: 10-2
There was war between Philistines and the Israelites but the Israelites were given an over-whelming
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 (named the child ICHABOD meaning the
glory of God has departed from Israel), and the ark of God was taken.
 THE SINS OF THE SONS OF SAMUEL ( JOEL AND ABIJAH)

Samuel took over from Eli as the priest of Israel. When Samuel was old he appointed two of his
sons to succeed him as priest Joel and Abijah (1Sam8:1). They judge from Beersheba, just as the sins of
Eli, his two sons did not follow his ways. They were worthless and shameless. They equally took bribe
and perverted justice. Thus the whole Israel rejected them as judges and came to their father Samuel at
Ramah, demanding for a king to rule them like other nations of the world.

ASSIGNMENT: I. To what extent was the moral weakness of Eli’s sons due to their father’s lack of
parental responsibility? Ii. How did God react to this lapse? Iii Describe the sins of Eli’s son. iv. Give an
account of the prophecy of doom on the house of Eli.

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WEEK 2

TOPIC: PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY (EXAMPLE KING ASA)

SUB-TOPICS:
1. ASA THE KING PLEASED GOD. 1 KING 15: 9-15.
2. KING JEHOSHAPHAT FOLLOWED HIS FATHER’S WAY OF LIFE 1 KING 22: 41-44

SUB TOPIC 1: ASA THE KING PLEASED GOD. 1 KING 15: 9-15.
Asa of Judah became king during the twentieth year of king Jeroboam of Israel in the Northern
kingdom after the split of Israel into two separate monarchy. He ruled Judah for forty-one years. He
was the son of Abijah king of Judah – one of the worst kings of Israel - grandson of Rehoboam. His
mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. Unlike his father,he did not follow his father’s
principles but did what was right in the sight of God. Like David his father, he did all that was humanly
possible to reinstate the good image of Israel and reconcile Israelites once again with God Almighty .In order to
achieve this divine ambition he had some outstanding achievements. These are:
i. Removal and destroying of all idols which his father – Abijah had installed.
ii. Removal of cult prostitutes.
iii. Removal of his grandmother – Maacah from being queen mother because she had
abominable images made for Asherah.
iv. He cut down the image of Asherah and burnt it at the brook of Kidron (except for the high
places were not taken away).
v. He was steadfast before God.
vi. He stamped out Canaanite practices s he abolished idolatry in the land; thereby cleansing
the temple of evil worship.
vii. Asa brought votive gifts including gold, silver and vessels into the house of God.
viii. He finally raised his children in the way and fear of the Lord.

SUB TOPIC 2: KING JEHOSHAPHAT FOLLOWED HIS FATHER’S WAY OF 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.
ASSIGNMENT: 1.Mention those things Jehoshaphat had in common with his father. II. How far did Eli,
Samuel and King Asa succeed in discharging their parental responsibility? III. Describe the religious
reformation in Judah during the reign of Asa. IV. How did this influence his son Jehoshaphat?
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WEEK 3

TOPIC: Consequences of obedience

CONTENT:

1. JOSEPH WAS HONOURED FOR OBEYING THE GOD’S LAW EX. 20: 14; GEN. 39: 7-12
2. DAVID WAS REWARDED FOR RESPECTING A CIVIL RULE, EX. 20: 13, 1 SAM. 26: 1-12
3. THE THREE HEBREW YOUTHS ESCAPED DEATH FOR OBEYING GOD TO AVOID IDOLATRY, EX.
20: 3; DANIEL 3: 1-30
4. ESTHER OBEYED MORDECAI, ESTHER4: 1-16

SUB-TOPIC 1: JOSEPH WAS HONOURED FOR OBEYING THE GOD’S LAW EX. 20: 14; GEN. 39: 7-12

In Exodus 20:14 God commanded us saying,” Thou shall not commit adultery”. Joseph obeyed this
command. While he was serving Portiphar, his master’s wife casted her eyes upon Joseph, and said ‘Lie
with me.” But he vehemently refused to do such an abominable thing. His master’s wife lied against
him by accusing him of trying to rape her. This lie led Joseph into prison but God was with him. Joseph
continued to be obedient and faithful to God.

God used Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. This made Pharaoh to appoint Joseph as his second
in command (Prime minister). This was the reward for Joseph’s faithfulness, sincerity, fear of God and
obedience to God’s laws.

ASSIGNMENT: Narrate how Joseph was rewarded for obeying God’s law.

SUB-TOPIC 2: DAVID WAS REWARDED FOR RESPECTING A CIVIL RULE, EX. 20: 13, 1 SAM. 26: 1-12

God commanded us not to kill, this is the sixth commandment. David had an opportunity to kill Saul
when Saul was chasing him from one place to another.

The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and told him that David was hiding in the hill country of Hhe
achilah. Saul went to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand men of Israel to look for David. When
David learnt that Saul had come to the wilderness of Ziph looking for him, David sent some spies. He
then confirmed Saul’s presence. He went to the place with Abishai, Joab’s brother, his chief army
commander. They met Saul sleeping with Abner commander of Saul’s army, Abishai said to David:
“God has given your enemy into your hand this day…..” but David said the Lord forbids that I should
put forth my hand against the Lord’s anointed”. David took Saul’s spear and the jar of water and left
Saul and his men. After leaving, David called Abner and rebuked him for not protecting his master,
Saul.
 Saul recognized David’s voice. He said ‘Is this your voice, my son David? David asked him why he
wanted to kill him. Saul was remorseful for wanting to kill David. David latter gave Saul his spear, he
said ‘The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness for the Lord gave you into
my hand today and I would not put forth my hand against the Lord’s anointed…’. Saul blessed David.
David later became the second king in Israel after Saul’s death on mount Gilboa.

ASSIGNMENT : I. Briefly explain how David was rewarded for respecting civil rule. II. Narrate how
Joseph was rewarded for obeying God’s law. III. Briefly explain how David was rewarded for respecting
civil rule. IV. What is obedience?

THE THREE HEBREW YOUTHS ESCAPED DEATH FOR OBEYING GOD TO AVOID IDOLATRY. EX. 20: 3;
DANIEL 3: 1-30

King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image and he had it set up in the plain of Dura in the Province
of Babylon. He called his officials for the dedication of this golden image. The herald urged everybody
to fall down and worship the golden image once the heard music playing. Anyone who did not fall
down and worship the golden image would be thrown into a burning fiery furnace; the people
worshipped the golden image as was commanded by king Nebuchadnezzar .However, three young
Hebrews refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. The three were Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego. They were reported to the king by some Chaldeans.

Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the three Hebrews should be thrown into the fiery burning furnace
after he had asked them whether it was true that they refused to worship his golden image. Without
mincing words, the three told the king that they would not worship the golden image which he had set
up.

The king was so angry with them; he ordered his men to heat the burning fiery furnace seven times
hotter than it used to be. Then he ordered the strongest men in his army to tie the three Jews and
throw them into the burning fiery furnace. The king was astonished and rose up in haste; he said to the
counsellors ‘Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? ...’

Nebuchadnezzar went up to the door of the burning fiery furnace and called the three Hebrews to
come out addressing them as the servants of the most high God. King Nebuchadnezzar praised the
Lord, He issued a decree that anyone who spoke against the God of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego
should be torn from limb and his house made a pile of ruins. Then he promoted them to high positions.

ASSIGNMENT: Narrate how the three Hebrew youths escaped death for obeying God to avoid Idolatry.

ESTHER OBEYED MORDECAI, ESTHER4: 1-16

Haman wanted the Jews destroyed. He went to king Ahasuerus and obtained permission to kill all
Jews. When Mordecai saw the letter, he went to Esther, his niece and one of the king’s wives. She took
a big risk to see the king because she was not supposed to do so. She fasted and all the Jews were told
to also fast. After fasting, Esther went to the king who agreed to listen to Esther. She invited the king
and Haman to dinner and narrated her ordeal to the king. Haman was destroyed instead of the Jews.
Esther obeyed Mordecai’s advice and through that, she was able to save her people from being
destroyed by Haman.
ASSIGNMENT: 1. Write short note on how Esther obeyed Mordecai II. Give an account of the golden
image Nebuchadnezzar set up, its dedication and the decree he issued concerning it.

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WEEK 4

TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE

CONTENT:

1. SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE 1SAM. 15; 1-19,

2 CONSEQUENCES OF SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE
3 THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET 1 KINGS 13:11-24

SUB-TOPIC 1: SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE 1SAM. 15; 1-19,

Disobedience is a deliberate failure to carry out an assignment. It is also means refusal to carry out
orders. Disobedience attracts some negative consequences which could be immediate or delayed.

SAUL ANOINTED KING OVER ISRAEL:

As a result of the Israelites’ request for a king, Saul the son of Kish from Benjamin was anointed
king by Samuel as directed by God. This took place when he went out to look for his father’s lost asses.
Samuel took the oil and anointed Saul with the oil, and kissed him. To confirm that God had chosen
and anointed Saul as king over Israel, Samuel gave him three signs which Saul would see on his way
home. These sign are

1 Saul was to meet two men at the Rachael’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah who will
inform him that his father’s asses had been found and that his father was anxious about him.

2. At the Oak of Tabor, three men going up to God at Bethel would meet Saul and give him three
loaves of bread. Saul was instructed to accept the loaves.

3. At Gibeath-elohim, where there was a garment of Philistines, Saul would meet a band pf prophets
coming down from the high place with musical instruments, prophesying, and the spirit of God would
come mightily upon Saul and he would join in prophesying. The above prophecies were fulfilled and
when Saul met the bands of prophet , he prophesied and the people out of surprise , questioned
among themselves, ‘’Is Saul also among the prophet?

SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE

God commanded Saul through Samuel to attack and completely destroy the Amalekites and
everything they had. He should not leave anything but destroy all the men, women, children and
babies, the oxen, sheep, camels and asses. God decided to punish them because they attacked the
Israelites when they were on their way from Egypt. He instructed the Kenites who dwelt among
Amalekites and showed kindness to the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt, to depart from city
before the total destruction.
 Saul attacked the Amalekites, he defeated the Amalekites from Havilah to Shur but spared Agag the
king and the best of the sheep, lambs, all that was good. Because of Saul’s disobedience, God regretted
making him the king. God sent Samuel to him but he failed to accept his fault. He tried to justified
himself and shifted the blame to others. Saul told him that obedience is better than sacrifice and to
hearken than the fat of ram.

ASSIGNMENT: i. Define disobedience ii. Narrate how Saul was anointed and mention the signs he saw.

CONSEQUENCES OF SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE.

Saul’ failure to carry out the instruction of God through Samuel brought the following consequences
on him, his family and Israel.

1. Saul was rejected as a king of Israel. According to Samuel, because Saul rejected the word of
God, God also rejected him from being king.
2. The anointing of David as successor to Saul and king of Israel.
3. The spirit of God departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. This led
him to occasional psychological imbalance and insanity.
4. Saul and his three sons died at Mount Gilboa. In a battle with the Philistines, the Israelites were
defeated, recording a great number of casualties. The Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab and
Malchishua, sons of Saul.

ASSIGNMENT : Outline four consequences of Saul’s disobedience. II. Narrate how Saul disobey God

THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET 1 KINGS 13:11-24

Another example of disobedient can be seen in the story of a disobedient prophet who came from
Judah to Bethel. He was instructed by God not to bread nor drink water nor return by the way he
came. But he was deceived by another prophet. As he ate with his host, the word of the Lord came to
the prophet who deceived him: “Thus says the Lord, because you have not kept the commandment
which the Lord your God commanded you, but have come back, and have eaten bread and drunk
water in the place of which he said to you ‘Eat no bread, and drink no water’ your body shall not come
to the tomb of your fathers’. After the young disobedient prophet had eaten, he went away. On his
way, a lion met and attacked him. The lion killed him. This was a result of disobedience.

ASSIGNMENT: What was the punishment the young prophet received as a result of his disobedient?

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WEEK 6

TOPIC: FRIENDSHIP

SUB-TOPICS: 1. FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JESUS, MARTHA AND MARY WAS CORDIAL, LK 10: 32-42.
2. FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JESUS AND LAZARUS JOHN 11: 1-44; 3. DAVID AND JONATHAN 1SAM. 18:19
4.TYPES OF FRIENDS 5. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD AND BAD FRIENDS

FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JESUS, MARTHA AND MARY WAS CORDIAL, LK 10: 32-42
 Friendship may be define as an association or loving companionship, the most recognizable example
being that between David and Saul’s son, Jonathan.

Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus, Lazarus was their brother. Martha was the first to receive
Jesus into her house. She later called Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to his teaching. Martha
wanted to please Jesus by making sure that everything was fine but the serving distracted her from
listening to Jesus. She asked Jesus why He did not care that Mary left her alone to serve and that He
should tell Mary to help. Jesus answered her that Mary had chosen the best thing which would not be
taken from her and that Martha was only worried and anxious about many things.

ASSIGNMENT: I. What is friendship? II. Explain the friendship between Jesus, Mary and Martha

FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JESUS AND LAZARUS JOHN 11: 1-44;

Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha, they lived in Bethany he was also the friend of Jesus.
One day he became ill his sisters sent to Jesus saying Lord the one you love is sick, Jesus said the
sickness is not unto death, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means
of it. Jesus stayed two days longer instead of going immediately. After four days, Jesus and his
disciples went to Bethany. When they got there, they found that Lazarus had died and been buried.
Martha went to meet Jesus and told Him that if He had been around her brother would not have died.
Jesus told her that her brother would rise again. When Mary also heard of Jesus’ arrival, she ran
quickly to meet him. When she got to Jesus, she fell at his feet weeping, when Jesus saw her weeping,
He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. When they showed him where Lazarus was laid, He wept.
When he got to the tomb He asked his disciples to take away the stone. Martha told him that Lazarus
would be smelling already. Jesus told her if she believes she will see the glory of God. Jesus lifted up his
eyes and prayed to God. Jesus cried with aloud voice that ‘Lazarus, come out’. The dead man came
out. Jesus ordered them to unbind him and let him go.

ASSIGNMENT: Explain the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus.

DAVID AND JONATHAN 1SAM. 18:19

Jonathan was Saul’s son while David was a son of Jesse from Bethlehem. Because of the way and
manner David defeated Goliath, Jonathan loved David. Jonathan made a covenant of friendship with
David. He gave him his robe, his armour, his sword, bow and girdle. Jonathan’s friendship with David
was so strong that it was compared to that of a woman’s love for a man. Jonathan rescued David from
Saul’s murderous attempt not once but twice, Even after Jonathan’s death, David showed kindness to
Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son.

ASSIGNMENT I. Explain the friendship between Jonathan and David

TYPES OF FRIENDS (JOHN 6: 60-71)

There are two main types of friends—good and bad friends. Under the two groups, we still have
different types.

For the good type of friend, we have:

 1. Loyal and faithful friends: These are friends who will not plan against you or do any harm too
you. They keep friendship intact, they are trustworthy and one could confide in them. They are
always available for their friends when it is good or bad.
2. Committed friends: These are friends who can go to any length to make their friends
comfortable every time. They are generous to their friends

For the bad types of friends, we have

1. Trickish friends: These types of friends are so smart doing evil. They are usually pretenders
and deceivers. They give bad advice in order to see their friends fail. They usually lure their
friends into bad acts like stealing, cultism, fighting, and at times, murdering.
2. Opportunist friends: These are types of friends who take selfish advantage of their friends.
They are not ready to be good. They run away when their friends are in trouble.

ASSIGNMENT: List the different types of friendship

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD FRIENDS:

1. Good friends keep us safe. They preserve life just as Jonathan protected David.
2. Good friends love sincerely
3. Good friends are unhappy anytime their friends are in problem
4. Good friends stay around to see that all is well
5. Good friends help their friends to achieve their good ambition
6. Good friends look for what they can give to you.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BAD FRIENDS:

1. Bad friends expose their friends to danger

2. Bad friends hate their friends secretly
3. Bad friends are interested in the downfall of their friends
4. Bad friends abandon their friends in time of trouble
5. Bad friends discourage and destroy good ambitions
6. Bad friends are only after what they can gain from you.

ASSIGNMET: What are the differences between good and bad friends? II. List four types of friendship.

List five types of friendship

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WEEK 8
TOPIC: SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD
CONTENT: I. DAVID SUBMITS TO THE WILL OF GOD. 1 SAMUEL 26: 1-25; 2 SAMUEL 12: 15-25.
II. JONAH SUBMITS TO THE WILL OF GOD. JONAH 1-2

DAVID SUBMITS TO THE WILL OF GOD. 1 SAMUEL 26: 1-25; 2 SAMUEL 12: 15-25.
Submission means total compliance and surrender to comply and adjust in any given situation. This
means we choose to obey God’s will in humility and meekness even when an opportunity to disobey
comes. David was an outstanding example.
David the son of Jesse submitted to God’s will in his relationship with Saul. Saul seeks to kill David at
different occasions. When he was at Gibeah, the Ziphites came to him to report David’s movements.
He was informed of the hiding place of David in the hill of Hachilah on the east side of Jeshimon.
Immediately Saul heard this, he went with three thousand men in search of David in the wilderness of
Ziph, but fell into deep sleep with all his men on the hill of Hachilah.
David went with Abishai to Saul’s camp as they were all fast asleep. Abishai saw the opportunity to kill
Saul by pinning him to the ground while Abner his captain was fast asleep too. David refused to grant
his permission but told him to pick Saul’s spear and the jar of water near Saul’s head.
David went to the other side of the hill and called for Abner stating his fault and guilt of death for
sleeping while he was supposed to keep watch over his lord. David made some prayers and ordered
for one of Saul’s men to come for the Saul’s spear and the jar of water he took earlier.

Effects of God’s Fear and Submission to God on David’s Life

David’s fear and submission to God had the following effects:
i. He had joy and happiness of heart
ii. He became acceptable to God
iii. God called him a man after His own heart
iv. He gained courage to commune with God
v. God became his strength and shield
vi. His enemies feared him and so desist from seeking his life.
vii. The mention of his name or appearance made most nations quiver.

ASSIGNMENT: I. Narrate how David spared the life of Saul on the hill of Hachilah. II. Mention five
outcome of David’s godly lifestyle – on him and his environs.

JONAH SUBMITS TO THE WILL OF GOD. JONAH 1-2

The people of Nineveh were evil in their ways. They were wicked.
God told the Prophet – Jonah to go and call the people of Nineveh to repentance otherwise He would
destroy them.
Jonah refused and ran away from God’s directive. He went to Joppa and boarded a ship to Tarshish.
Unfortunately for him, God sent a great wind that was against their sail and all efforts (cried to their
gods, emptied their ship of goods) to stable the ship proved abortive. They decided to cast lot and the
lot fell on Jonah. He told them of his predicament as a Hebrew born and asked to be thrown into the
sea which they objected to at first but had to after praying and asking God not to count it a sin against
them. The result was immediate calmness and they were amazed.
God had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah; where he stayed for three days and nights. He
repented, prayed and God heard him. The fish was commanded by God to vomit him on the shores of
Nineveh where he went to declare God message of judgment and doom if the people failed to repent.
The people felt sorry of all the bad things that they had done. They repented, asked God for
forgiveness and God forgave them.

ASSIGNMENT: I. How did Jonah submit to God’s will? II. What significant lesson can be learnt from
Jonah’s divine assignment to Nineveh.
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WEEK 9

TOPIC: MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN (WISDOM OF SOLOMON)

SUB-TOPICS :
1. SOLOMON’S REQUEST FOR WISDOM FROM GOD.
2. HOW SOLOMON APPLIED HIS WISDOM.
3. BUILDING THE TEMPLE AND ITS DEDICATION.

UNWISE DECISIONS OF SOLOMON AND REHOBOAM.

4. SOLOMON UNWISE DECISION 1 KING 9: 15-23; 11: 1-13.
5. REHOBOAM’S UNWISE DECISION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, 1 KINGS 12: 1-20

SOLOMON’S REQUEST FOR WISDOM FROM GOD, 1 KINGS 3: 3-15.

David commissioned Solomon before his death as King. At Gibeon, Solomon offered a thousand burnt
offerings on the altar before God. While asleep in Gibeon, God appeared to him and asked him
whatever he wanted. Solomon thanked God for His kind dealings with his father and thereafter
requested wisdom to judge the people. God promised to give him wisdom alongside riches, long life
and honour so that he would be the wisest and richest king that ever lived if he would keep His
commandment.
ASSIGNMENT: I. State how Solomon got his wisdom. II. How did he get the revelation of God? Where
and when?

HOW SOLOMON APPLIED HIS WISDOM 1 KING 3:16-23, 4: 29-34.

During the reign of Solomon, two harlots came to him claiming the same child as one of them slept
over her child while both were asleep.
Solomon called on one of his guards to slice the living child into two after much argument between the
two harlots. One of the harlots was shouting and urged the king to slice the child while the real
mother said the king should not. She persuaded the child be given her friend that the child would
know its mother when grown. The king told his guard to give this first woman that desires the child be
spared. The news got to everyone and they wondered at Solomon’s wisdom.
Solomon became wiser than all the famous men – Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda the
son of Mahol and the wisest men of Egypt and the east. He was so versatile that he uttered three
thousand proverbs, sang one thousand and five songs, spoke of trees, beasts, birds, reptiles and fish.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. The dead son was given to the right woman. How? II. How can you ascertain that Solomon was
the wisest king?

BUILDING THE TEMPLE AND ITS DEDICATION 1 KINGS 5: 1-12; 8: 1-53

Building:
While Solomon was busy administering right rule in the Israel, King Hiram of Tyre sent a message of
good will to him and Solomon replied him. Solomon sent a message of need for building a temple for
the Lord, stating why his father could not (BECAUSE OF MUCH BLOOD SHED due to WAR) and the dire
need for him to fulfill this great task.
He laid request that Hiram should send men to Lebanon to cut timber for him. He would send some
Israelites down to work with his men and pay them. He added that Hiram knew that the Israelite did
not know how to cut timber as the Tyrians.
Hiram agreed to supply Solomon with cedar and cypress timber. His men would bring the logs to the
sea, tied them together in rafts and float them down the coast to him and he would pay and provide
food for them.
The quantity of timber was supplied. Solomon was charged to pay twenty thousand measures of wheat
and oil respectively. The agreement was signed and both parties honoured it.
Dedication:
King Solomon brought decided to bring the Ark and the tent of meeting from Zion into the temple he
built. He called all the elders in Israel as they helped in bringing these as well as all the sacred objects
that were in the tent. Many sheep and oxen were killed for sacrifice.
The Ark was kept in the Most Holy Place under the wings of the Cherubim. There was nothing in the
Ark except the two stone tablets which Moses put in it at Mount Horeb. As the priests and Levites who
carried the Ark were coming out, the entire temple was suddenly covered with cloud and filled with
the glory of the Lord.
This was a demonstration of his wisdom as the Ark represented Israelite’s religion; thereby making the
temple a centre of religious activities. It also made the DYNASTY of David more acceptable to the
people than ever. He took time to address the people after placing the Ark in the temple, praising God
for its reality and how the promise was passed on to him from his father – as David desired to build but
God objected as a result of much blood he had shed during wars.

King Solomon offered petitions to the Lord (Prayers):

i. The Lord should please judge the guilty and acquit the righteous when they are brought to
the temple;
ii. Whenever there was drought in the land because the people had sinned against him, he
should forgive their sins if they prayed in the temple;
iii. Whenever there was epidemic, famine, scorching wind, swarm of locust, or the people
were attacked by their enemies, disease, sickness or any form of pestilence as a result of
sin, he should forgive them their sins if they prayed to him in the temple;
iv. If a foreigner comes to pray in the temple, he should be answered;
v. When the Israelites go to war and face the temple direction to pray, they should be
victorious;
vi. Even if the Israelites were on exile as a result of their sins, when they faced the direction of
the temple, their enemies should forgive their sins and treat them kindly.
The dedication was really a celebration time.
ASSIGNMENT: I. King Solomon sent a reply message to a king who sent a good will message to him.
What were the content of Solomon’s message and the reply of that king? II. State SIX PETITIONS of
King Solomon while dedicating the temple.

UNWISE DECISIONS OF SOLOMON AND REHOBOAM.

SOLOMON UNWISE DECISION 1 KING 9: 15-23; 11: 1-13.
Solomon embarked on expensive, wasteful, gigantic projects . He built all these at the same time:
i. The Temple
ii. The Palace
iii. The Millo
iv. Wall of Jerusalem
v. Rebuilding of Hazor, Meggido, Gaza
vi. Rebuilding of the cities of lower Bethoron, Baalath, Tamar in the wilderness of Judah.
vii. Numerous store cities
viii. Cities for his horsemen and chariots
ix. Buildings in Jerusalem, Lebanon and the lands of his dominion.
x. The paid through their noses as they were heavily lavied
xi. He married women from countries God had warned Israeliests not to marryfrom.
xii. He made an uncontrollable desire for women. All together he married seven hundred wives
(700) and three hundred concubines
The administrative, material and labour cost of these numerous gigantic building projects were too
much for the state to bear. All the descendants of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and
Jebusites, whom the Israelites did not utterly kill, were turned into state slaves. All the energies of the
slaves were entirely deployed to the building projects. Five hundred and fifty (550) Israelites worked
as supervisors apart from hundreds of thousands who must have been engaged in manual labour.
As the sector of the state economy was grossly starved of human, materials and financial resources,
Israel became BANKRUPT. The situation was so deplorable that Solomon had to sell twenty Israelites
cities in payment of the money he borrowed from Hiram king of Tyre.
The most unwise decision of Solomon was connected with his marriage. He had seven hundred legally
married wives and three hundred concubines, making a total of one thousand ladies in his possession –
an Egyptian, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites and Sidonians – whom he built places of idol worship for
the gods, goddesses of his wives including the Moabites Chemish and the Ammonites Molech.
Most of these women were foreigners. He did this against the commandment God gave them not to
marry or exchange their children with strangers – non Jews.
God became angry with Solomon. He told him that since he had broken his covenant and disobeyed his
commandments, he would surely tear the kingdom from him and give it to one of his servants. This
would not happen in his life time but in the reign of his son and successor because of David his father.
In addition to that, he would leave his son with one tribe because of David and Jerusalem which He
had chosen.

ASSIGNMEMT: I. Mention the building projects Solomon engaged in at the same period. II. What was
the state and condition of Israel as at the time of Solomon’s project? Explain.

5. REHOBOAM’S UNWISE DECISION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, 1 KINGS 12: 1-20

After the death of Solomon, his son – Rehoboam – went to Shechem where all Israel assembled
formally to crown him king. He was made to understand the plight they passed through under his
father’s reign. They pledge their loyalty to him on condition that he would lighten those burdens his
father placed on them. He asked for permission to think for three days before giving answers. He
visited Jerusalem for advice from the elders. They advised him rightly to heed the people’s cry.
He went ahead to the youths for same advice but he was told to tell the people that his little finger
would be greater than his father’s waist , that he would put heavier burdens on them than his father
did and whereas his father flogged them with whips but he would flog them with scorpions.
The people came after three days and heard him spoke in the advice given to him by the youths.
Immediately the people reacted by declaring themselves independent of Rehoboam. They said “what
portions have we in David? ....we have no inheritance in the house of Jesse……to your tents O Israel.
Look to your house, David.”
Rehoboam sent Adoniran to re-negotiate with the people but they stoned him to death. When
Rehoboam saw this, he fled to Jerusalem in his chariot. This made the northern tribes crown Jeroboam
(on self-exiled to Egypt but had returned by this time) king. Only the house of Judah remained loyal to
the dynasty of David.
ASSIGNMENT: I. Enumerate the process of Jeroboam’s fall as king in Israel. II. What was the advice
given him by the youths? III. In what ways was Rehoboam directed by the elders in Israel and what was
his reaction?
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WEEK 10
TOPIC: THE EFFECT OF GREED (AHAB AND GEHAZI):
CONTENT:
1. AHAB SEIZE NABOTH’S VINEYARD I KINGS 21: 1- 2:16
2. THE EFFECT OF AHAB’S GREED 1 KINGS 21: 17-29
3. GEHAZI’S GREED AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, 2 KINGS 5: 1-27
SUB TOPIC 1: AHAB SEIZE NABOTH’S VINEYARD I KINGS 21: 1- 2:16

Naboth had a vineyard he inherited beside Ahab the king son of Omri – who was one of the wicked
kings in northern Israel. During the reign of Ahab, the land experienced astronomical increase in
victimization, utter disrespect for Yahweh, worship of Baal, Asherah and other foreign gods. Indeed
during his reign, apostasy attained its peak. Ahab asked for possession of Naboth’s vineyard in
exchange for money or kindness, but Naboth turned the offer down stating he inherited it. This
depressed Ahab to the extent he couldn’t eat. His wife Jezebel – a Sidonian princess and an arch
enemy of the worshippers of Yahweh, daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon – promised to get the
vineyard for him at all cost. Jezebel wrote a letter in Ahab’s name and sealed it with the King’s seal.
She sent the letters to the elders and nobles in Jezreel stating, a fast should be proclaimed as Naboth
should be set on high among the people with two base men opposite him who would bring a charge of
cursing God and the king against him and thereafter be stoned to death. The mission was carried out
as the men did exactly what she wanted. The report got to her and immediately she went to Ahab that
he can now possess the vineyard Ahab would not give him while alive.

ASSIGNMENT: I. What did Elijah condemn Ahab for? II. Why did Naboth reject Ahab’s offer? III. Who
was Jezebel? IV. What was Jezebel’s evil part in Ahab’s greed?

THE EFFECT OF AHAB’S GREED 1 KINGS 21: 17-29

As soon as Ahab heard about Naboth’s death, he went to view the vineyard and take possession. God
sent Elijah to him immediately to tell him of His judgment. These were:

i. In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, there shall dogs lick yours too;
ii. I will bring evil upon you;
iii. I will utterly sweep you away;
iv. I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free in Israel;
v. Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city, the dogs shall eat;
vi. Anyone who dies in the open country, the birds of the air shall eat;
vii. And of Jezebel, the dogs shall eat her within the bounds of Jezreel.

After hearing these from God through the Prophet, Ahab rent his clothes, put on sackcloth, laid in
sackcloth and fasted. He humbled himself before God. All these showed signs of repentance and God
had mercy on him averting all his judgment on him but postponed it till the time of his children.
However, Ahab and Jezebel died exactly the way Prophet Elijah prophesied.

ASSIGNMEN: I. How did greed lead Ahab to sin and what were the consequences of his sins?
II. Mention five evil Elijah prophesied would come on Ahab’s house. III. Ahab’s reaction was negative or
positive to God’s judgment? Explain.

GEHAZI’S GREED AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, 2 KINGS 5: 1-27

Gehazi was the servant of Prophet Elisha, who helped Elisha in administration. He met his waterloo
when a leper – Naaman came for healing. Naaman was a great man - the commander of the Syrian
army but a leper. Naaman had a house maid who was captured from Israel during a war. She told her
mistress about a man of God (Elisha) in Israel who can proffer solution to Naaman’s leprosy. Naaman
went to king of Syria who gave him letter to the king of Israel – Joram. When Joram saw the letter, he
rent his clothes thinking it was an invitation to war in disguise. The news got to Elisha and he asked
Naaman be brought to him. When Naaman got to Elijah, he sent his messenger to tell Naaman to go
and wash seven times in river Jordan. Naaman became annoyed as he thought Elisha would give him
instant cure, stating that the rivers in Abana and Pharpah in Damascus were better than all the rivers in
Israel. Naaman decided to go after much persuasion from his servants. He dipped himself seven times
and had an instant cure. He was very happy and utterly amazed. Immediately he went back to give gifts
to Elisha but Elisha refused to accept it. He further asked for permission to go with two mules burden
of earth to build an altar for the Living God. Gehazi ran after him seeking for the gifts his master
rejected. He told Naaman that two sons of the prophets had just visited Elisha and Elisha requested
that Naaman should give them through him a talent of gold and two garments, which Naaman did.
When he returned, Elisha asked him why he took presents from Naaman. He then cursed him that the
leprosy of Naaman should cleave to the body of Gehazi and he became a leper immediately.

ASSIGNMET: I. How did greed cause Gehazi to sin and what was the effect of his sin? II.Narrate the
story of Naaman and Gehazi and indicate the consequence of greed.

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