Book of Samuel: Class #5, 05-08-2003

Previous classes:
(1) 3-27-2003 - Introduced the Map of Israel and the significant places. The action in Samuel is between three tribes: Judah, Ephraim, and Benjamin. These three tribes encircle the future (once and future) capital of Jerusalem.
(2) 4-3-2003 - Went through the authorship of the Book of Samuel vis-a-vis the authorship of all the books of Tanakh. Main source was Talmud Bavli, Baba Batra 15b. Made a chart of each book of the Bible, & who wrote it.
(3) 4-10-2003 - Necessary background to the Samuel is the Book of Ruth and Book of Judges. Spent time in chapter 17-21 in Judges.
(4) 5-1-2003 - Finished up the Book of Judges background material. The stories are of violence, idol-worship, and grave immorality. Samuel, the author, gives one cause: no king.

Class 5 went through the first line of Samuel (the pace may pick up) and discussed a collection of Midrashim about the character of Elkanah.