Though God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, they continued to rebel against Him. In anger, He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh and delivered his strength into captivity (referring to the taking of the ark by the Philistines). But God still came back and defeated their enemies. He chose David of the tribe of Judah to lead the people of Israel. God is merciful to His people.

What Does It Say?

1. The Lord brought Israel to the border of His _______________, even to this ___________, which His right hand had purchased.
2. The Israelites provoked God to anger with their high ___________, and moved Him to jealousy with their graven __________.
3. In His wrath, God delivered His __________ into captivity, and His __________ into the enemy’s hand.
4. When all looked helpless, the Lord awaked as one out of __________, and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of _________.
5. David fed the Israelites according to the ___________ of his heart and guided them by the ______________ of his hands.

What Does It Mean?

1. In verse 57, the Israelites deal unfaithfully with Lord and were turned aside like a deceitful bow. The bow here is the bow of an archer; as in a bow and arrows. What does it mean to turn aside like a deceitful bow? If you do not know, try to find someone who has experience with archery and ask them. Now, tell how this applies to people who deal unfaithfully with the Lord.
2. God forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh (v.60). See what you can find out about Shiloh and tell about its importance in early Israelite history. Look up the word in a Bible dictionary. Also, check out the following verses for information: Joshua 18:1And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
   See All...; Judges 21:19Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 1:3And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 3:21; 1 Samuel 4:3-4; Jeremiah 7:12-14 [12] But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. [13] And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; [14] Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
   See All...).
3. According to verses 67-68, God did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but He did choose the tribe of Judah. What does it mean that God choose Judah (be prepared to give more than one answer)? Use the following verses to find your answer: Genesis 49:9-10 [9] Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? [10] The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 [1] Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. [2] For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
   See All...; Psalm 76:1In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
   See All...; Hebrews 7:14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
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What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Concerning Israel, God “led them on safely” (v.53) and gave them King David who “fed them according to the integrity of his heart” (v.72). In Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
   See All..., God “shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Notice again that He will feed them and lead them. The Lamb of God does both of these actions in Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
   See All.... We can even see leading and feeding as the responsibilities of a pastor in 1 Peter 5:2-3 [2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
   See All.... Spiritually speaking, what is leading and what is feeding? As a believer, how are you led? How are you fed? Who should you be leading and feeding? Name one thing you should be doing concerning leading and feeding that you are not doing now.
2. God divided the Israelites “an inheritance by line” (v.55). This is probably referring to the dividing of the inheritance by Joshua after the conquest of the land. But it points out the importance that the Bible gives to inheritance. The word inherit and its various forms are found over 300 times in the Bible. What do you think it means that they received their inheritance “by line?” Consider Psalm 16:5-6 [5] The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. [6] The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
   See All... – “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” What does this mean to you spiritually?

Suggested Memory Verses

Psalm 78:72So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
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