WELCOME TO SHEPHERD’S COLLEGE!

Our God is truly AWESOME! My first day of class was really a life-changing experience. It was not just about learning, but it's growing deeper in God's word and pursuing a deeper relationship with Him and understanding God's purpose that gives passion, energy and commitment to all students. It was learning to know God through prayer and the scriptures as well.

First, I had no idea what I was getting into.. But was very blessed with the instruction and depth of material that was provided. We learned the historical books of FIRST SAMUEL and SECOND SAMUEL. First Samuel is a Narrative History that includes a great deal of Drama. It was written around 930 B.C. Key people include Samuel the prophet, Saul the disobedient king, and David the shepherd. It was written to show Israel and how its people chose a king. In the process, these people neglected and abandoned God. The book of Second Samuel is a Narration of David as he becomes the King of Israel and the time during his reign. In the final chapters, two psalms are included in hymns of praise. Samuel the prophet, the author, wrote the book around 930 B.C. The key people are David, Bathsheba, Nathan, Absalom, Joab, Amnon, and Ahithophel. It was written to record the history of David’s reign and to demonstrate effective leadership by submitting to God. Nearly half of the book talks about King David’s success while the other part shows his failures.

FIRST SAMUEL (Transition From Judges to Kingship)

Theme and Purpose:

Beginning with birth of Samuel and his training in the temple, 1 Samuel describes how this great man of God led Israel as prophet, priest, and the last judge. During Samuel's leadership, the people of Israel, wanting to be like the nations, demanded a king. Under God's direction, Samuel then anointed Saul to be the first King. Later, God rejected Saul because of his disobedience. To replace Saul, again under God's direction, Samuel anointed David, a man after God's own heart to become the King of Israel. The rest of the book describes the struggles between jealous and demented Saul and godly David.

First Samuel picks up the history of Israel where Judges left off with Samuel following Samson [Judge 16:31]. This book traces the transition of leadership in the nation from judges to kings, from a theocracy to monarchy [8:7].

The clamor for an earthly king in First Samuel was a natural outcome of the rejection of God [8:7]. God had intended to give Israel a king. [Gen. 49:10; Deut. 17:14-20], but the people insisted on the king of their choice instead of waiting for God's king. [15:22; 16:7].

SECOND SAMUEL (David's Reign; Expansion of the Nation)

Theme and Purpose:

1. 2 Samuel continues the narrative of the beginning of Israel's kingdom beginning with Saul's death and continuing with reign of David [5:4-5].

2. 2 Samuel recounts David's reign, could be summarized as "How sin turns triumphs into troubles."

"I CHOSE You and my WORD is with You."

What is anointing?

These are the answers given by students: 

God’s approval, appointment, special purpose, authority, presence, wisdom, choice, power, guaranty, provision, grace, favor, protection and honor.

According to Webster's Dictionary, to anoint means to "rub oil or ointment on," "to put oil on in a ceremony of consecration." So, to anoint something or someone is to apply something, in this case oil, to an object.

In the book of First and Second Samuel, God would anoint an individual to function effectively to a particular office. For example, He would choose a person and anoint him to stand in the office of a prophet. He would choose another and anoint him to stand in the office of a priest. He would choose still another one and anoint him to stand in the office of a king.

David, God's chosen one, had the anointing of a king, a prophet and also a priest.

David as king –

"Arise, anoint him..." 1 Samuel 16"12

1 Samuel 16:3,13 says, "Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate . . . 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah,".

David as prophet -

"...The spirit of the Lord spoke by me..."
2 Samuel 28:2

David as priest -

"...And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings..."
2 Samuel 24:25

“It does not mean that if you are anointed you will not fall into sin." –Dr. JB Alinsod

Make time in your life to study because there is power in it to change your life and become the person God wants you to be. Once you do, you’ll experience the peace and joy in your daily life! God bless everyone!