1 Samuel 14

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1 Samuel: Lesson 16 — Not Such A Sweet Deal

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 16 (Not Such A Sweet Deal)
1 Samuel 14:24 – 52

The Text:

  1. What condition were the men of Israel in?  Why?  What had Saul said?  What was his stated motive?
     
  2. What did the army find in the woods?  What did they do with it?  What did Jonathan do?  What effect did it have on him?  What response did he have when told of his father’s command? 
     
  3. What was the condition of the Israelite army when evening finally came?  What did they do?  Why did they do this?  What was the problem with it? What did Saul do about it?
     
  4. What was Saul’s plan after they had eaten?  What was the response of the army?  What response did the priest have?  What response did God have?  What was Saul’s assumption?   
     
  5. What does Saul announce will be done to the one who has sinned?  Who does the lot fall to as they seek the guilty person?  What is Saul’s response?  Who intervenes?

    

The Application:

  1. How hard is it to live up to the expectations of others?  In what ways have you put expectations on others in order to satisfy yourself?  How is this harmful to the individual, and to the body of Christ?  Are there ways in which expectations can be good?
     
  2. Have you ever done something only to be told that someone else said it was wrong?  How did it make you feel?  How did you react?     
     
  3. What effect does being deprived of something for any amount of time have on you?  What is the problem with being so “hungry” for something that you don’t care how you get it?  In what areas might you need to show restraint in your life?      
     
  4. How do you feel when people like a plan that you have?  What if God doesn’t approve, or is silent about it? 
     
  5. Why are rash statements so dangerous?  Do you think Jonathan did wrong?  How can you stand up for someone who feels condemned for doing the right thing?

     

Next week: 1 Samuel 15:1-35
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

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1 Samuel: Lesson 15 — Mighty To Save

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:

  1. What occupation was missing from Israel?  Why?  How did this impact the Israelites readiness for battle?
     
  2. What were the Philistines doing?  What did Jonathan decide to do?  Who went with him?  Who else knew about this “trip”? 
     
  3. 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?
     
  4. 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?   
     
  5. 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:

  1. 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?
     
  2. 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”?     
     
  3. What does it mean in your life that “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few”?     
       
  4. 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? 
     
  5. 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