Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — 1 Samuel 17:55 – 19:24

Study 16 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 17:55 – 19:24

1. How were fear and jealousy like a cancer in Saul's spirit? How did they show themselves? How do you explain God's action in this matter? By what means were Saul's attempts to destroy David foiled?

2. How did Jonathan and Michal show their love for David? Do we ever risk anything for our friends? See 1 Jn. 3: 16, 18.

Notes

1. 18:5 'Was successful': a pregnant Hebrew word is used meaning 'deal wisely' with the implied consequence of success. Cf. Is. 52: 13a.

2. 18:10. Cf. 1 Ki. 22:22
3. 19:13. 'An image': Hebrew 'teraphim', i.e., household gods; cf. Gn. 31:19. This deceived Saul's messengers into thinking that David was ill in bed.
4. 19:23, 24. ' Naked': i.e., with his outer garment laid aside; cf. Is. 20:2; Mi. 1:8. Saul lay in a trance for a day and a night. The origin of the proverb about Saul is recorded in 10:12. His behaviour here evidently caused men to recollect it.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — 1 Samuel 17: 1-54

Study 15 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 17: 1-54

1. What was it that made David view the situation differently, and gave him courage, when all the men of Israel were much afraid? Cf. Ps. 42:5, 11; Is. 51:12, 13.
2. How did David's past experiences of the Lord's deliverance give him confidence to face the present challenge? What practical lessons does this teach about (a) the value of remembering, and (b) the importance of proving God's presence and power in ordinary daily living?
3. What do you think of Saul's reasoning (verse 33), and of his provision for David (verse 38, 39)? Did he understand what he was saying, in his words to David: 'The Lord be with you!'? What was lacking? See verse 47.

Notes

1. Verses 4ff. The giant was over nine feet tall, and carried 125 lbs. of armour.
2. Verse 18. 'Some token': i.e., that they are well, etc.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — 1 Samuel 16

Study 14 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 16

1. How is true obedience illustrated in Samuel's behavior? What can you learn from his example?

2. What great truth was brought home to Samuel at Bethlehem? Consider how this truth is emphasized in Jesus's teaching. See Mt. 6:1; 7:15, etc. Cf. Rom. 2:28, 29.

3. Here men twice sent to fetch David; why? When he comes into sight, what do we learn about him? Make a list of his characteristics. What was the chief evidence that God had chosen him and rejected Saul? Cf. 2 Cor. 1:22.

Note. Verses 21, 22. David became an 'Armour-bearer---possibly a military title. The phrase 'remain in my service' does not imply continued physical presence. If it did, 17:55, 56 would be unintelligible.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — 1 Samuel 15

Study 13 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 15

1. Trace the course of Saul's disobedience-his excuses (verse 20, 21, 24) and his self-interest (verse 30). Trace also the course of Samuel's warning (verse 1), denunciation (verse 14, 18, 19) and declaration of divine judgment (verse 22, 23, 26, 28, 29). What may we here learn concerning God's ways and the demands of His service?
2. From verse 11, and from Samuel's reply to Saul in verses 22, 23, what do we learn concerning the divine reaction against ritual without obedience, against outward religious observance which masks an inner disobedience? Have God's requirements or His attitude changed.

Notes

1. Verse 15. The whole point about the sacred ban was that everything must be destroyed; not one thing must be spared or looted. Cf. Jos. 7:1.
2. Verse 35. 'Samuel did not see Saul again. 'See' here means 'visit' or 'go to see'. So, 19:24 involves no contradiction with this passage.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — 1 Samuel 14

Study 12 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 14

1. How was it that Jonathan was so courageous? Cf. Verse 6 with 2 Ch. 14:11; 1 Sa. 2:9, 10
2. What indications do you find of Saul's impatience, and how did it lead him to hasty and wrong decisions? Yet what evidence is there that with all his self-will Saul was anxious not to offend the Lord? How do you account for this?

Notes

1. Verse 6. 'The Lord will work for us': the Old Testament is full of the God who acts in different ways. Cf. 1 Ki. 8:32; Je. 14:7; Ps. 22: 30, 31.
2. Verse 24. Saul's purpose was probably religious, viz, by fasting to obtain God's favor.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — 1 Samuel 13

Study 11 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 13

1. Consider the Israelites's great danger. See verses 5, 6, 19-22. In such a situation what ought they to have known to be the one indispensable and sure secret of survival and victory? See 12: 14, 15.
2. What was wrong with Saul's professed desire to entreat the favour of the Lord, and with the action he took to further it? What warning do you take from the irreparable consequences following on one specific sinful act? Why does God expose men to such searching tests? See Dt. 8:2.

Notes

1. Verse 1. Some numbers are lacking here. Thirty would in each case suitably fill the gap
2. Verse 2. Many years must have elapsed. In 9:2 Saul is described as a 'young man'. Here his son Jonathan is old enough to command a fighting force.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — 1 Samuel 12

Study 10 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 12

1. What was the point of Samuel's historical recital? Unlike the Israelites, do we (a) remind ourselves constantly of the great things God has done for us, and (b) allow this reminder to have a full effect upon our behaviour?
2. What were the outstanding features in Samuel's character as seen in this chapter?
3. Summarize the counsels and warnings of verses 20-25. Note especially what Samuel says about prayer. Yet, if the people will not turn from their wicked ways, will prayer avail? See verse 25; cf. Je. 15:1; Ps. 99:6, 8.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — 1 Samuel 10:17-11:15

Study 9 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 10:17-11:15

1. How does the story of Saul's public election demonstrate God's forbearance? See especially 10:19. Cf. Pss. 103:14, 15; 78:37-39; Rom. 2:4.
2. To what does Scripture attribute Saul's vigorous action and his success? Cf. Acts 1:8. Do these verses come to you as a challenge, or a rebuke?
3. Consider what noble qualities Saul displays. See 9:21; 10:9, 16b, 22, 27c. Does your life give evidence of a similar work of God?

Note. 11:9. The men of Jabesh never forgot Saul's rescue of them from the Ammonites. See 31:11-13.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16

Study 8 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 9:1-10:16

This passage describes Saul's private anointing to be king. 10:20-24 describes his public identification by lot as the man of God's choice. 11:14, 15 describes his public enthronement.

1.      9:1-14.  What encouragement may we take from the fact that  the free movements of young men and girls, of assess and God's prophet, are here overruled to bring about God's purposes?

2.     What three confirmatory signs were given to Saul? How would they give him assurance that Samuel's words in 10:1 were indeed true? How does this section also show that when God calls, He equips?

Notes

1.      10:3-4. It was remarkable that the mean should give Saul part of the offering which they probably intended to sacrifice at the sanctuary.

2. 10:8. Cf. 13:8-14. The event of 11:14, 15 is an interlude and not the visit of Gilgal referred to in 10:8

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — 1 Samuel 7:3 – 8:22

Study 7 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 7:3 – 8:22

1. How does the story of chapter 7 reveal the conditions of victory even on the field of former defeats? Have you had some such experience?

2. Wanting a king was not necessarily wrong (cf. Dt. 17:14, 15), especially in view of the situation described in 8:1-3. Why then did God, while granting their request, at the same time rebuke the people for making it? Why was the desire to be life 'like all nations' (8:5, 10) wrong? Contrast Samuel's actions with the attitude of the people.

Notes

1.      7:6. The pouring out of water symbolized separation from sin.

2.     8:7. The 'you' and 'me' in the last clauses are emphatic. The people were rejecting God (cf. 10:19), as later Saul did (15:23).

3. 8:10-18. The behavior described is typical of oriental despots.

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