The Book of st 1 Samuel Chapters 16-31 A study using 18 questions per chapter The purpose of this study is to find out What the Bible says. THE WORD FOR THE WORLD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Bill DeLaughter
Bill DeLaughter P.O. Box 193 Crown Point, Indiana 46308 U.S.A. It is Bill's desire that it be made available to anyone and everyone to be used by them for their further understanding of What The Bible Says. It can be copied and duplicated by anyone for local Bible Studies. However it is not to be sold commercially for a profit. But permission is hereby granted for it to be printed and sold for a price slightly above the actual cost of printing, no more. This study may also be translated into any language where it can be useful under the conditions listed above. INSTRUCTIONS I can only suggest how this study was originally conducted and it was very successful. First of all, we tried to arrange a very informal atmosphere with the folks sitting in a loose circle. We would begin the session by having tea, or cokes and an informal time of fellowship. Then we would have a prayer time with everyone suggesting names of those for whom we should pray. It was also mentioned each session that we expected that each individual have at least one person for whom they would agree to pray for in regards to that person s salvation. To actually begin the study the entire chapter would be read aloud with each one willing to read, taking the number of verses and dividing it by the number of people present and each one reading a portion. Then the first one on the left (a habit of mine) would begin by reading the first question and giving their answer. The verse where their answer was found must also be given. Then the leader asks if everybody agrees. Let discussion carry on as necessary but not too long. Then go to the next question and the next person until all of the fifteen questions are answered. For the discussion questions (numbers 16-17-18) each person present should give their answer once again going from the first one on the left and so on. Answer one question at a time, with each person present giving their reasons for their answer to each question. Discussion can be long or short depending on how the group feels. Do not carry the class session on too long. Encourage each one to prepare his answers BEFORE the session begins if at all possible only because they will get more out of the discussion if they have thought about it. INTRODUCTION This book gives the account of the lives of Samuel and Saul with a great deal of the life of David. First Samuel begins with the birth of Samuel and his early training in the temple. It shows how he guided Israel as a prophet, priest and judge. When the people of Israel demanded a king, he, by God s instruction, anointed Saul as the first king over Israel. However when Saul was disobedient to God, he was rejected as king. Secretly Samuel anointed David as king to take Saul s place as king. Even though there is a lot of the disobedience of the people of God, there is also a stronger emphasis on their goodness and obedience to God. It was during this time that the nation changed from a nation of judges as leaders to having a king over them like the nations around them. Samuel, as prophet, priest, and judge yielded a great deal of influence during his entire lifetime. 1
I SAMUEL - Chapter 16 1. Since Saul was rejected as king whose son did the Lord say that Samuel was to anoint? 2. When Samuel went to anoint the new king what did he tell the people he was going to do? 3. Man looks at the outward appearance but how does the Lord look? 4. When David was anointed king what is said about the Spirit of God? 5. Why did David enter the service of King Saul? 6. Samuel was afraid of Saul. 7. Jessie had only seven sons to appear before Samuel. 8. David was not only a good musician but also a warrior. 9. Saul was pleased that David would come and serve him. 10. David helped Saul by playing on the harp. 11. Was oil in a horn used to anoint the new king? 12. Would Samuel make the choice of who would be the new king? 13. When the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul did another spirit come? 14. Was David considered a brave man? 15. Did the music that David played on the harp help Saul? 2
I SAMUEL - Chapter 17 1. What did Goliath challenge Israel to do? 2. How many of David s brothers were in Saul s army and what were their names? 3. Why did David leave his sheep and go visit his brothers? 4. How did Saul dress David to go out and meet Goliath? 5. How did David kill Goliath?. Verse 6. Saul and his whole army were terrified of Goliath. 7. Goliath taunted the army of Israel for 50 days. 8. David s brothers were happy to see him. 9. David cut off the hands and feet of Goliath after he had killed him. 10. David had a tent in Jerusalem and he took the head of Goliath there. 11. Was Saul willing to give his own daughter in marriage to the man who could kill Goliath? 12. Was David afraid of Goliath? 13. Did David wear armor when he went out to kill Goliath? 14. Did David claim that in his own strength he cold kill Goliath? 15. Did David take Goliath s armor and keep it? 3
I SAMUEL - Chapter 18 1. When the army returned from battle what song did they sing? 2. How did Saul try to kill David in this chapter? 3. Name the woman Saul offered to David in marriage.. Verse 4. What task was given to David in order to marry one of Saul s daughters? 5. How did David compare with all the rest of Saul s officers? 6. Everybody was pleased with David except Saul. 7. It was Saul s plan to let the Philistines kill David. 8. Michal, Sail s daughter loved David. 9. David more than met Saul s request. 10. David and Saul were enemies the rest of their lives. 11. Did Saul give David a high rank in the army because of his ability? 12. Was David still playing the harp for David in this chapter? 13. Was Saul afraid of David? 14. Was David pleased to become Saul s son in law? 15. Did David s name become well known? 4
I SAMUEL - Chapter 19 1. In this chapter who warned David that Saul was going to kill him?. Verse 2. What happened that allowed David to once again play the harp for Saul? Verse 3. What happened to Saul that he once again tried to kill David? 4. What happened to the three groups of soldiers that Saul sent to kill David? 5. What happened when Saul went himself to kill David? 6. Jonathan and David were great friends. 7. Saul s daughter helped David to escape the soldiers. 8. When David made his escape he went to Samuel. 9. The Spirit of God came upon the soldiers who were sent to kill David. 10. When Saul prophesies he stripped off his robe. 11. Did Saul make an oath NOT to kill David? 12. Is it possible for an evil spirit to come from the Lord? 13. Four groups of men were sent to kill David but did they prophesy instead? 14. Did Saul s daughter deceive the soldiers by saying that he was sick? 15. Did other people know that Saul had prophesied? 5
I SAMUEL - Chapter 20 1. What made Jonathan think that his father, Saul, would not kill David? 2. What festival was going to be celebrated that David would not attend? 3. Why did Jonathon and David make a pact together? 4. When Jonathan spoke to Saul about David, what did Saul do? 5. What sign did Jonathan and David agree upon if Saul was intent on killing David? 6. Saul missed David at the feast. 7. The place where David was to hide was by the stone called Ezel. 8. Saul thought David was ceremonially unclean when he missed the feast the first day. 9. The boy who picked up the arrow did not know what the shot meant. 10. Jonathan and David kissed each other. 11. Did Jonathan think his father would tell him if he intended to kill David? 12. Was Jonathan faithful to David? 13. Did Jonathan tell his father what David told him to say? 14. Did Saul try to kill Jonathan? 15. Was the covenant that Jonathan and David an everlasting one? 6
I SAMUEL - Chapter 21 1. What food did David ask of Abimelech the priest?. Verse 2. Under what condition did the priest say David could have the food he had asked for? 3. What else did David request?. Verse 4. Since David was afraid of Achish the king of Gath, what did he do? 5. How did the King react to David s actions? 6. David lied to Abimelech the priest. 7. David did not have a weapon when he came to the priest. 8. David went mad with fear. 9. David made marks on the doors of the gates. 10. Achish was pleased to see David when he came. 11. Did Abimelech the priest have any ordinary bread to give to David? 12. Was someone there who served Saul? 13. Did the priest have a lot of swords 14. Did David have a beard? 15. Did Achish know who David was? 7
I SAMUEL - Chapter 22 1. Describe the kind of men who gathered around David at the cave of Adullam. 2. What did David ask the king of Moab to do for him? 3. Who told King Saul about David s visit to the priests at Nob?. Verse 4. Who refused to kill the priests of Nob?. Verse 5. What was done to the town of Nob and everything in it? 6. David had 4000 men who came to him. 7. The prophet Gad told David to go into the land of Judah. 8. Abimelech denied any guilt in his dealings with David. 9. The 85 men who were killed wearing the linen ephod were priests. 10. Abiathar, Abimelech s son was the ONLY survivor of the town of Nob. 11. Is Mizpah in the land of Moab? 12. Did David obey what God s prophet Gad told him to do? 13. Was Saul aware that his son and David were friends? 14. Did Abimelech tell Saul that David was loyal to him as king? 15. Was Doeg a Jew? 8
I SAMUEL - Chapter 23 1. How did David respond to the news that the Philistines were attacking the town of Keilah? 2. Describe the fortifications of the city of Keilah. 3. Do you have any idea as to how David inquired of the Lord at this time? 4. How many men does David have with him now?. Verse 5. Why did Saul break off his pursuit of David?. Verse 6. Even though David had saved their city the men of Keilah, they would still turn him over to King Saul. 7. Saul did not inflict any punishment on the city of Keilah after David left. 8. Jonathan, Saul s son made a covenant with David. 9. The Ziphites tried to turn David over to Saul. 10. The name of the rock where David went was Sela Hammahlekoth. 11. Was David successful when he battled the Philistines at Keilah? 12. Did David hide in the desert of Ziph? 13. Did Saul recognize that David was crafty? 14. Did a mountain separate Saul and David at one time? 15. Did David stay and live in the desert? 9
I SAMUEL - Chapter 24 1. How many men did Saul take with him to hunt down David?. Verse 2. What did David do when Saul went into a cave to relieve himself? 3. Why did David prohibit his men from killing Saul? 4. After Saul left the cave what did David do? 5. How did Saul respond to what David said to him? 6. David would not harm someone who was God s anointed. 7. David did not consider Saul his master. 8. David quoted an old saying to Saul. 9. Saul was convinced that David would NEVER be king over Israel. 10. David gave his oath that he would not wipe out Saul s family. 11. Did Saul have men from ALL Israel in his army? 12. Were men telling Saul that David meant to harm him? 13. Could Saul have killed David at this time? 14. Did David plead for the Lord s judgment to prevail? 15. Did David stay where he was after this meeting? 10
I SAMUEL - Chapter 25 1. What was the name of the prophet who died in this chapter?. Verse 2. Describe the character of Nabal. 3. When David s men came to Nabal with a request for something, what was his response? 4. What happened that stopped David from taking vengeance on Nabal for his refusal? 5. What happened to Nabal a short time later?. Verse 6. David s men had protected Nabal s shepherds while in the desert. 7. David had 600 men with him at this time. 8. Abigail saved her husbands life by taking provisions to David and his men. 9. Nabal lived like a king. 10. David married Abigail so now had 3 wives. 11. Did Nabal live in Carmel? 12. Did David s men treat Nabal with respect? 13. Was Nabal considered by his own men as being a wicked man? 14. Did Abigail tell Nabal what she had done while he was drunk? 15. Did Abigail take her 7 maid servants with her when she went to David to be married to him? 11
I SAMUEL - Chapter 26 1. Where was Saul when David saw him and what was he doing? 2. What did David take from Saul s camp?. Verse 3. What accusation did David make to Abner the commander of Saul s army? 4. What did Saul call David in this chapter?. Verse 5. Who did David tell Saul to come and get Saul s spear?. Verse 6. The Lord caused Saul s men to fall into a deep sleep. 7. David would not harm the Lord s anointed. 8. David told Abner that he deserved t o die. 9. The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. 10. Saul was convinced that the Lord s hand was with David. 11. Were the men who lived in the desert of ziph faithful to David? 12. Did Abishai want to kill king Saul? 13. Did Saul know who was speaking to Abner? 14. Did David call Saul lord? 15. Did Saul say that David was blessed? 12
I SAMUEL - Chapter 27 1. Where did David go and why? 2. Where did David live with the Philistines for a year and four months? 3. What did David due while he lived with the Philistines? 4. When David went against a city why did he kill every man and woman? 5. Why did Achish trust David?. Verse 6. David did not rust the word of Saul the King. 7. Each man had only a servant with him. 8. David is said to have only two wives, is that true? (1Samuel 25:44) 9. The city of Ziklag was given to David. 10. David killed every living thing in the areas he fought against. 11. Did David still have 600 men with him? 12. Did the city of Ziklag belong to the kings of Judah even after David left? 13. Did David attack the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amorites? 14. Was David afraid that other would betray him? 15. Did the Philistine king think that David would serve him for a long time? 13
I SAMUEL - Chapter 28 1. To what position did the Philistine king appoint David?. Verse 2. What had Saul done to the mediums and spiritist?. Verse 3. By what means had Saul consulted with the Lord before this? 4. Who did the witch of Endor call up and how did she respond when he appeared? 5. How did Saul react to what Samuel told him? 6. Saul was afraid when the saw the army of the Philistines. 7. The witch was afraid that Saul had set a trap in order to kill her. 8. Saul knew that the Lord had turned away from him. 9. Samuel told Saul that he would die as would his sons on that day. 10. Saul was so disturbed that he refused to eat anything. 11. Was the Urim a part of the priestly garment used to make decisions? (Do some research - read Exodus 28:30) 12. Did the woman from Endor recognize Saul at once? 13. Was Saul to be punished because of disobedience? 14. Would the entire army of Israel be given over to the Philistines? 15. Did the woman feed Saul and his men before they left? 14
I SAMUEL - Chapter 29 1. In marching to the battle where was David and his men in the procession? 2. Who objected to David going into battle with them?. Verse 3. What were the commanders afraid of concerning David? 4. How pleased was Achish the king with David?. Verse 5. When David was not allowed to go into battle what did he do? 6. David and his men were called Hebrews in this chapter. 7. Achish knew that David had been an officer in Saul s army. 8. David s reputation as a warrior was known to the Philistine commanders. 9. Achish did not tell David the whole truth about what the commanders were afraid of concerning David. 10. David went home peacefully. 11. Did Achish always find fault with David? 12. Wee the commanders convinced that David would fight for them? 13. Was Achish wanting to please his commanders? 14. Do you think that David would have fought against Israel? 15. Did David do as the king Achish suggested? 15
I SAMUEL - Chapter 30 1. What had happened to Ziklag while David was away? 2. What happened to David s two wives?. Verse 3. How did David inquire about the Lord s will for him? 4. How did David find out where the Amalekites had gone? 5. When it came to sharing the plunder, how did David treat the two hundred men who stayed behind?. Verse 6. The Amalekites destroyed the city by fire and killed ALL the people. 7. The Egyptian was a vineyard worker among the Amalekites. 8. The Amalekites had plunder from the Philistines AND from Judah. 9. Four hundred young men escaped when David fought with the Amalekites. 10. David kept all the plunder for himself and his men. 11. Did David s men blame him for this that had happened to Ziklag? 12. Was the slave afraid that either David or his master would kill him? 13. Did David bring back EVERYTHING that had been taken? 14. Did David share his plunder only with his friends? 15. Was Hebron one of the places where David had wandered? 16
I SAMUEL - Chapter 31 1. Name those of the royal family who were killed in the battle on Mount Gilboa. 2. Who refused to kill Saul?. Verse 3. So who killed Saul and how?. Verse 4. What did the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan do when they saw the Israelite army flee?. Verse 5. What happened to the bodies of Saul and his sons? 6. In this chapter the Philistines were called uncircumcised fellows. 7. Saul s armor-bearer fell on his own spear and died also. 8. The Philistines took over the Israelite towns and lived in them. 9. Saul s body was hoisted on a pole in the town square for all to see. 10. In the city of Jabesh Gilead there were some valiant men. 11. Was the Israelite army defeated that day? 12. Was Saul wounded critically? 13. Did ALL of Saul s men die with him that day? 14. Were the bodies of Saul and his 3 sons put on public display by the Philistines? 15. Were the ashes of Saul and his sons scattered under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh? 17