– DVD video chapter – Beit She’an

– Location –

Beit She’an was strategically located at the junction of the Jordan Valley and the Jezreel and Harod Valleys.  Archaeologists have identified eighteen different levels of occupation in the tell, indicating that this was one of the oldest cities in Palestine.  When Saul and his three sons died on Mount Gilboa, the Philistine victors carried their decapitated bodies to Beth Shan and hung them on the city wall to humiliate the Israelites. During the first century A.D., the Romans developed the city into one of the most imposing in all Palestine. 

– Scripture –

·         1 Samuel 28:3-7; 31:1-10 - The Philistines invade this region and defeat the army of Saul.  King Saul is killed and his head displayed on the walls of the city of Beth Shan. 

– Questions –

1.     In I Samuel three men of greatness capture our thinking!  Samuel, Saul and David were outstanding but all three were also weak and sinful.  How could God use such men?  Why would God use them?  How and why will God use any of us?

2.  Are all the people in the world forgiven by grace or by works?  In the book of Ephesians    Paul declares that we are forgiven by grace.  (See Ephesians 2:8&9).

 – Map (from www.anova.org) – http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/049a.htm