r
with the time each served, or the period of rest after his work had
been accomplished. (2) The enemy each judge had to combat and what
work was accomplished by each judge. (3) What elements of strength and
of weakness are to be found in the character of each judge. (4) From
the story of Gideon and Sampson, point out New Testament truths. (5)
From the story of Jephthah and Deborah gather lessons for practical
life today. (6) Religious apostasy as a cause of national decay. (7)
Political folly and social immorality as a sign of national decay. (8)
The method of divine deliverance.

Ruth.

This book together with the Judges treats the life of Israel from the
rule of death of Joshua to the rule of Eli.

Name. From the principal character.

Contents. It is properly a continuation of Judges, showing the life of
the times in its greatest simplicity. It is also especially important
because it shows the lineage of David through the whole history of
Israel and thereby is a link in the genealogy of Christ.

Typical Matters. (1) Ruth is a type of Christ's Gentile bride and her
experience is similar to that of any devout Christian. (2) Boaz the
rich Bethlehemite accepting this strange woman in an illustration of
the redemptive work of Jesus.

The Key-words are love and faith.

Analysis.

I. The Sojourn at Moab, 1:1-5.

II. The Return to Jerusalem, 1:6-22.

III. Ruth and Boaz, Chs. 2-4.

1. Gleaning the fields of Boaz, Ch. 2.

2. Ruth married to Boaz, Chs. 3-4.

A. A bold act, Ch. 3.

B. Redemption of Naomi's inheritance, 4:1-12.

C. Becomes wife of Boaz, 4:13-17.

D. Genealogy of David, 4:18-22.

Some one has said that Ch. 1 is Ruth deciding, Ch. 2 is Ruth serving,
Ch. 3 is Ruth resting, Ch. 4 is Ruth rewarded.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Each of the characters of the book. (2)
The whole story of Ruth in comparison with the stories of Judges (Chs.
17-21) to get a view of the best and worst in their social conditions.
(3) The value of a trusting soul (Ruth).

* * * * *

Chapter VIII. First and Second Samuel.

Name. The name is taken from the history of the life of Samuel
recorded in the early part of the book. It means "asked of God." The
two were formerly one book and called the "First Book of Kings," the
two books of Kings being one book and called Second Kings. Samuel and
Kings form a continuous story, and give us a record of the rise, glory
and fall of the Jewish Mona