The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 1 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 12 (Rescuing The Perishing)
1 Samuel 11:1 – 15

The Text:

1. What problem is face by the city of Jabesh Gilead?  What do the men of Jabesh propose to solve this problem?  What condition is given?
    
2. What response do the elders of Jabesh give to the conditions of surrender?  What is the reaction of the people of Gibeah when the terms are reported?  What is Saul doing when messengers arrive in Gibeah with the news from Jabesh? 
    
3. How does Saul respond?  With what power or authority does he respond?  Who does Saul include in his request sent throughout Israel?  How do the people of Israel respond to the request sent out by Saul?
    
4. What message was sent back to the people of Jabesh Gilead?  What did they tell the Ammonites?  What effect might this have had?  What was the outcome of this conflict?   
    
5. What did the people of Israel want done with those who had questioned Saul being king over them?  What was Saul’s response?  What did Samuel do?

The Application:

1. When are you most likely to feel “besieged”?  Are there areas in which you have given up — accepted the possibility of being subject to something/someone that you know is not in your best interest?  What “conditions” of that subjection would make you think twice?
    
2. Who would you turn to for help to overcome that which would enslave you?  How do you respond to the news of someone needing help that seems beyond what can be done?     
    
3. What role does anger have in helping rescue a person from potential captivity?  How do you distinguish between “righteous anger” and “sinful anger”?    
    
4. How can you encourage someone who is ready to give up?  How thorough are you in getting rid of that which tries to take you captive?
    
5. How forgiving are you of people who question you?  What can you do to reaffirm God as King of your life?

Next week: 1 Samuel 12:1-25
Famous Last Words