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 15 (Mighty To Save)
1 Samuel 13:16 – 14:23
The Text:
- What occupation was missing from Israel? Why? How did this impact the Israelites readiness for battle?
- What were the Philistines doing? What did Jonathan decide to do? Who went with him? Who else knew about this “trip”?
- As Jonathan approaches the base of the cliff where the Philistine outpost is, what does he propose to do? What is his reasoning? How does his armor-bearer respond?
- When Jonathan and his armor-bearer show themselves to the Philistines, what do the Philistines say to them? What had Jonathan decided in advance to do if this is what the Philistines said? What was the immediate result at the top of the cliff? What did God do beyond that? How widespread was it?
- What was Saul’s response when he saw the Philistine army in retreat? When Saul took his men into battle, what did they find? Who won the victory that day?
The Application:
- Do you always have everything that you think you need? Does not having certain “necessary things” keep you from doing what you know God wants?
- How does knowing people’s lives are being raided by the enemy make you feel? Who would you trust to go with you to confront a specific “raiding party”?
- What does it mean in your life that “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few”?
- What do you do when someone mocks you or ridicules your faith? Why is it important to decide ahead of time how you will respond to such behavior?
- When victories are won, why is it so tempting to look for a person or group to give credit to before we look to God? When you are rescued from the enemies you face, why is it so important to recognize God as the rescuer regardless of what means He uses to accomplish it?
Next week: 1 Samuel 14:24-52
Not Such A Sweet Deal