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 13 (Famous Last Words)
1 Samuel 12:1 – 25

The Text:

1. As Samuel finishes up his time of leadership, what does he state he has done?  What questions does he ask of the people?  Why?  What is their response?
    
2. What history does Samuel relay to the people?  What is his point?  What is he confronting them with evidence of? 
    
3. What action/reaction was behind the Israelites wanting a king?  How was this different from their response to previous troubles?
    
4. What conditions do Samuel give to the people in order for things to go well for the nation under their new king?  What is the consequence of not following these conditions?   
    
5. What did Samuel want the people to realize by God sending thunder and rain?  What was the response of the people?  What is Samuel’s response to them?

The Application:

1. What makes “last words” important?  What does it mean to live a life of integrity today?  How do people view you?
    
2. What evidence do you have in your life of “all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you”?  How has God rescued you when you have turned to him in genuine need?   
       
3. How tempting is it to want a “world’s solution” to a problem that needs a “God solution”?  Why do we do that even when we know the effectiveness of God’s solutions in the past?    
    
4. How important is fearing the LORD and serving and obeying him?  Can doing that help counteract bad requests and decisions?  What is the purpose of God’s hand against a person that chooses to rebel against him?
    
5. What does it take for God to get your attention?  Do you ever feel you need someone else to go to God for you because you are not sure of your standing with him?  What does verse 22 mean to you?

Next week: 1 Samuel 13:1-15
The Cost Of Impatience