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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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2

Study 6 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2

1. Read the story of 5:1-5 in the light of Je. 10:1-16.  Contrast the idols with the Lord of host. How ought such evidence to influence our fears and our faith?  

2.     Because the ark of the Lord was associated with His law (cf. Dt. 31:9), it was also associated with judgment—as in this passage. Why did such a dire punishment fall on the men of Beth-shemesh, and with what result? Cf. Ex. 19:21; Heb. 12:28, 29; and see Note 2 below.

Notes

1.      5:6, 12; 6:4, 5. The association of tumors and mice suggests and our break of bubonic plague.

2. 6:19. The ark, according to God's command, was to be kept closely covered, when not in the Holy of Holies. Cf. Nu. 4:5, 6, 15, 20.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — 1 Samuel 4:1b-22

Study 5 From the Book of 1 Samuel is:  1 Samuel 4:1b-22

1.      Try to picture what a crushing blow these events were for Israel.  What is he right answer to the question 'Why' in verse 3?

2. The ark was the visible symbol of the Lord's 'glory' or manifested presence (see verses 21, 22).  Why, then did the Israelites'  use of it prove unavailing? In what ways may Christians today make a similar mistake?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a

Study 4 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 3:1-4:1a

1. Notice the expressions used about Samuel in 2:18, 21; 3: 1, 7, 19.  What new thing came into Samuel's life in the experience described in 3:1-14? Why did Samuel have to tell the vision (3:15-18)? Cf. 1 Cor. 9:16.

2. What was lacking in Israel at this time, and what did God do to meet the need?  Do you know places that need similar divine provision? Cf. Jn. 1:6, 7; Lk. 3:2, 3;  Rom. 10:14, 15.

Notes

1.      3:1. In those days there was no prophet regularly active to give the people messages from God; contrast 3:20-4:1a.

2.      3:10. 'The Lord...stood forth': this vivid language is paralleled in Jb. 4:15, 16.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — 1 Samuel 2:12-36. (Read also 3:11-14)

Study 3 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 2:12-36. (Read also 3:11-14)

1. What aspects of the sins of Eli's sons were specially grievous in God's sight? See 2:12, 17, 25, 29; 3:13. What serious warning ought we to take from 2:25, 30 and 3:14?
2. How did Eli fail? Cf. Pr. 29:17; Mt. 10:37. Over against 2:31 and 3:14 set 2:35. What may we learn from all this concerning the ways of God? Cf. 16:1.

Notes

1. Verses 12-17. The misappropriation of Eli's sons ('the men' of verse 17) was twofold. They took what they wanted rather than what was offered them; and they insisted on receiving their raw portion, before the Lord's portion-the fat (Lv. 3:3-5)--was burned upon the altar.                                                                  LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Study 2 From the Book of 1 Samuel is: 1 Samuel 2:1-11

This Old Testament 'Magnificat' (cf. Lk. 1:46-55) possesses an astonishing range of ideas concerning the Character of God, His dealings with all sorts of men even to the ends of the earth, and the coming of His anointed king.

1. Compare the exaltation of verse 1 with the dejection of 1:6-10. What or who should be the object of our joy? Cf. Pss. 9:1, 2; 5:11, 12; 1 Pet. 1:8.
2. What does Hannah say about (a) God's Character, and (b) the way in which time and again He reverses the lot of men? What will be the final end as described in verses 9, 10? What warning and what encouragement do you take from these truths? Cf. Ps. 2:11, 12.

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