When people read the Old Testament for the first time with the knowledge that it is an "inspired" book, they are often surprised by the sort of book it is. Remember how the newly converted Augustine was offended at the stories in Genesis.  They just seemed immoral to him.

The problem is that we come to the Bible expecting something religious, as religion is generally defined in our culture.  Our expectations are that an inspired, religious book will be like a devotional, right?  Why doesn't the Spirit provide a list of 4 applications at the end of each story or episode?  Why isn’t the Bible like the sermons I hear or the daily devotional booklet I use?

Well, perhaps what we all need to do is allow the Bible itself to change our idea of what it means to be inspired.

What we actually have in the Bible are stories that have to be grappled with and puzzled over and don't give clear answers all the time. They raise questions and leave us to wrestle over the answers.  This is not because the Holy Spirit was a bit preoccupied with other things when the author of Samuel penned the story of Saul, for example.  It is because stories of this nature are just what we need to mature in Christ.

We assume that the primary way that the Bible matures us is by providing clear, easy to understand answers to all our questions. And that growing up and acquiring wisdom as a Christian means learning more and more of the answers to life's questions.  We assume that this is what the Bible is for.  So unless the Bible gives us straight answers, we cannot imagine growing and maturing in our faith.

But that is not the case.  In our immaturity we are often angry at the OT narratives because they don't come to us with simplistic little answers at the end.  And unfortunately many otherwise orthodox preachers feel the need to Leave-it-to-Beaverize every OT story.  But all the ambiguity and mystery of these stories is something God is happy about.  They are built in.  They are inspired that way. God gives us just what he wanted and just what we need.