Saul and David

God is the creator, sustainer, judge, and redeemer. However, the most important characteristic of God is love. Love is an admirable quality. Genesis is an account of God's magnificent creations. God saw that everything he created was good. The book of Genesis focuses on six persons and their families: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. God blessed man and all of his creations. For a moment, God's creation was as He intended; paradise. Man sinned and God became unhappy, but he still provided for his people. God wanted man to repent. He still wanted things to be good once again. Noah was of the "few" good people on earth. Noah was obedient and honored God. God wanted to rid the earth of evil and start anew with righteous men and women. God wanted to give people a second chance and that was through Noah. God's decision to save Noah and his family was, because He still longed for man's obedience and faithfulness.

Exodus is concerned with the relationship aspect of the Patriarchal promises. Sometimes this relationship is expressed in various ways such as a blessing or guidance. By saying "I am the God of your father -- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob", He showed that he is faithful. He is faithful to His promises, such as God promised to give the Jews the land. When Moses turns to God's promises, he is in essence saying, "God we are not worthy of your blessings, we are here because of you, and we depend on you." God acted as a parent towards a child. He wanted the best for His children. He, out of love for his children responded to them in different ways. At times he was tough, at other times gentle. Sometimes he enforced the rules and other times he would bend them depending on the occasion. Sometimes he denied his children of certain things and other times he gave openhandedly. He wants to love us and take care of us. Moses learned from God's parenting skills. God taught lessons to his people as a parent would do. He also rescued his children when they were in trouble by defeating the powerful Egyptians and brought us out so that we could be his people.

Isaiah lived during the time of Saul and David's. Isaiah was a prophet, politician, and poet. He spoke of believing in any other god, other than the one and only would bring destruction. It is only through God's grace and mercy that we succeed. Isaiah's name means "The Lord Saves". God's admirable characteristic is displayed in the Book of Isaiah because God spoke to Isaiah during times of turmoil and corruption. Isaiah prophesized that people should obey and trust in the Lord. God trusted that Isaiah would inform people that He was with them and that His love endures forever. In Isaiah Chapter 65-66, god revealed himself to simmers. He said they would be judged both for good and evil. God just wanted the people to be obedient. "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." God is admirable because He once again was giving people another chance. "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me, declares the Lord, "so will your name and descendents endure." Isaiah 66:22. God is to be admired in that in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6. God prophesized though Isaiah about the birth of a boy who would be great. God through Isaiah offers future hope for the nation of Israel. Jesus would be the difference between light and darkness, life and death. Anyone who offers hope of a better future is a person who we would look up to and respect and that is God. God is always admirable in everything that I have known him to do. He protects us as we are his children. He is hard on us sometimes, but is always loving towards us. God is to be respected because he wanted his people to be obedient and live holy. He judged but he has never given up and always gives us chances to repent. We are his creation, though a work in progress. God has a plan for us and just tries to help us reach it.

#2, choice (a)

David was much favored over Saul, although both had sinned against God. Israel wanted to be like other nations and have kingdom rule. However, God and Samuel, Israel's leader did not want a king. God wanted Israel to be a more righteous nation. God allowed Samuel to appoint Saul as Israel's first king.

At first, Saul was faithful to God but became rebellious. He did not want his opponents to be punished. Saul successfully