1-samuel-31

by

1 Samuel: Lesson 34 — The Mighty Have Fallen

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 34 (The Mighty Have Fallen)
1 Samuel 31:1-13; 2 Samuel 1:1-15

The Text:

  1. How does the battle go as the Philistines fight against the Israelites?  Who do the Philistines target?  How successful are they?  What condition do they leave Saul in?
     
  2. What does Saul want his armor-bearer to do?  What is Saul’s reasoning?  Does the armor-bearer do what Saul wants?  What happens?
     
  3. How does the outcome of the battle affect the rest of Israel?  What do they do?  What do the Philistines do?  What do they do with Saul?  What do the people of Jabesh Gilead do about this?
     
  4. Who comes to visit David after he returns from defeating the Amalekites?  How does he address David?  What news does he bring?  How does he tell the story of what happened? 
          
  5. What is David’s immediate response?  Who joins him in this response to the news that was given?  What does David ask of the Amalekite?  What does David have done to him?  Why?

                    

The Application:

  1. Do you ever feel like you have a target on you?  Why?  Are you a danger to the enemy?      
     
  2. Are you ever tempted to give up?  How do you persevere and remain faithful when it feels like your wounds are life-threatening?  What impact does someone else giving up have on you?  How do you think others are impacted by the way you handle your wounds?   
        
  3. Do you think the enemy would be inclined to announce your demise?  Why or why not?  How much does the honor or respect of others mean to you?  Would your risk your safety to ensure a person receives respect?  . . . Even if they don’t seem to deserve it?    
           
  4. What reasons would a stranger have for showing you honor or respect?  Do you ever try to tell about events in a way that you think the person you are telling would like to hear it?  Why?  What problems might that cause?  
     
  5. How hard is it to genuinely mourn when someone who has been against you fails?  What might make it easier?  . . . More difficult?  Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?

                     

Next week:  1 Samuel in Review