1 Samuel Chapter 3: Study and Discussion Questions

1. How does a person “minister to the Lord?”

a. Who taught Samuel to minister to the Lord?

b. Did Eli minister to the Lord?

2. What would cause the Word of the Lord to be rare?

a. Is there a scarcity of revelation in today’s church; where is God in all that is happening in the

world today?

3. How is God speaking to us?

4. As a figure of speech, “Before the Lamp of God went out in the Tabernacle” simply means “before

dawn, but can also suggest dark spiritual times. Consider the effect of “dark times” in your own spiritual

life, and discuss a time in history considered a “dark time.”

5. Why do you think Samuel did not recognize the voice of God?

6. Eli gave Samuel wise counsel. What are some important elements of Eli’s instructions to Samuel?

7. Eli has already heard of God’s judgement against him and his sons through the man of God in Chapter 2.

Why do you think God tells Samuel of the judgement against Eli?

8. What a terrible judgement against Eli! Do you think Eli repented? Consider Hebrews 10:26-27

a. For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer

remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will

consume the adversaries.

i. What happens when we reject the sacrifice of Jesus for our sin?

9. What did Eli say to encourage Samuel to reveal God’s entire message?

10. Is it difficult to be obedient to the following statement?

a. It is the responsibility of God’s messenger to bring everything God says, not just the “easy”

words. It is the responsibility of the one receiving the message to submit to and accept God’s rod

of correction.

11. What does it mean to “let none of his words fall to the ground?”

12. How has the Lord revealed himself to you?

1 Samuel Chapter 4-6: Study and Discussion Questions

1. Did the Israelites “blame” the absence of God for defeat(s) against the Philistines?

2. Why did the Israelites risk moving the Ark of the Covenant of God?a. Have you ever relied on a “good-luck-charm” to help you?

3. How did the Philistines respond when the Ark of the Covenant was brought from Shiloh?a. When they first heard the Israelites shout - did this intimidate them?b. What did they decide to do?

How do we resist God?

4. What made the heart of Eli tremble?a. Why was he so concerned about the Ark of God?b. Was he concerned for his sons Hophni and Phinehas?

5. Discuss the statement made by Eli’s daughter-in-Law, “the glory of God is gone…”

6. The Ark of God was placed amongst idols. In what ways do we turn God into idols?

7. Upon the destruction of the Philistine god, Dagon and the horrific tumors that followed, the Philistinesthought they could get rid of Him. Discuss the times we, as Christians, have either run away from God,or tried to silence His voice.

8. The Ark then journeyed from one Philistine city to the next, like a “hot potato.” What might any of thesecities have done instead of rejecting the Ark?

9. With all the plagues, why did the Philistines keep the Ark for seven months?

10. What “trespass offering” did the Philistines give?

11. Why did the Philistines continue to worship their inferior gods, even after acknowledging the Power ofLord Almighty?

12. Beth Shemesh did not want to keep the Ark – why?

Kiriath Jearim served as a boundary marker between the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin. The Ark of the

Covenant was brought to Kiriath Jearim early in the ministry of Samuel (about 1070 BC).

1. Why were the men of Kiriath Jearim summoned to take charge of the Ark of the Covenant?

2. For twenty years, Israel lamented after the Lord. What would have been the reason for their

lamentations?

3. Why was Samuel absent from the whole Ark of the Covenant fiasco? (He was last mentioned right

before Israel schemed to use the Ark as a “good luck charm” in battle.)

4. Where do you think Samuel was during this time?

5. Samuel was calling the nation to repentance; define both the inward and outward repentance Samuel

preached:

6. Samuel directed Israel to “serve Him only.” How do we bring other ‘gods’ into our lives? What is the

danger?

7. The local gods of Baal (financial success) and Ashtoreth (love and sex) were popular idols among the

people of Israel – what are our popular idols?

8. How do we respond to God when we experience the conviction of sin? How do we repent?

9. Why weren’t the Philistines afraid of Israel’s repentance, and why were the Israelites so afraid?

10. Why did Samuel take time for a sacrifice at such a critical time? (John 1:29)

11. Why did Samuel set a stone between Mizpah and Shen?

12. It was unlawful to build another altar for sacrifice besides that before the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 12:5,

13). Why was Samuel able to build an altar to the Lord in Ramah?

1. What was wrong with Samuel appointing his sons as judges?

2. What was the difference between a king and a judge?

3. The judge Gideon (Judges 8:23) was offered the throne of Israel – why did he refuse? (But Gideon

said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.”)

4. While it was wise for the elders of Israel to reject Samuel's sons as leaders, why was it was wrong

for them to say, "Now make for us a king to judge us like all the nations?”

5. Why did Israel’s request for a king displease Samuel?

6. Discussion: Had not God shown Himself to be a worthy King, and didn't He demonstrate His ability to

lead the nation, and demonstrate it over and over again? Who else have we rejected, and how do we

reject God today?

7. Describe the behaviors of the king?

8. A servant cannot have two masters (Matthew 6:24). Describe the conflict in the hearts of the

people in Israel. When they cry out, who will answer them? “No one can serve two masters; for either

he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve

God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]”.

9. God did not want Israel to be like the other nations – what did God want for Israel? Read Exodus

9:5-8 “Now therefore, if you will in fact obey My voice and keep My covenant (agreement), then you shall be My

own special possession and treasure from among all peoples [of the world], for all the earth is Mine; and you

shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation [set apart for My purpose].’ These are the words that you

shall speak to the Israelites.” So Moses called for the elders of the people, and told them all these words which

the LORD commanded him. All the people answered together and said, “We will do everything that the LORD has

spoken.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.”

10. Can we escape God’s sovereignty?

1. Of what tribe was Saul, and what are we told about his genealogy – 9:1,2?

2. Describe Saul – 9:2. (Think: How would such a man please the people?)

3. What job did Saul’s father give him, and what success did he have – 9:3-5?

4. What suggestion did Saul’s servant offer, what objection did Saul have, and how was the problem

solved – 9:6-8? (Think: What is a seer?)

5. Who was the seer, and what was he doing there – 9:9-14?

6. What had Samuel been told about this, and what was he to do to Saul – 9:15-17? (Think: What reason

did God give for choosing Saul?)

7. What did Samuel first tell Saul he wanted him to do – 9:19, and what sign did he give to prove his

power (v20)?

8. What promise did he give Saul, and how did Saul respond – 9:20,21? What does this show about Saul’s

character? (Think: Was Saul’s statement literally true — v1? Why is humility important?)

9. Describe how Samuel honored Saul at the feast – 9:22-24.

10. What did Samuel do with Saul that evening and next morning – 9:25-27?

1. What does it mean to be “anointed?”

2. What does the oil symbolize?

3. Have you ever doubted what God has called you to do?

4. Has God ever changed your heart?

5. Did Saul become a prophet?

6. Why did the Israelites determine Saul’s appointment by lot?

7. Do we hide from God’s calling?

8. What did Samuel explain to be expected behavior of royalty?

9. At this time, is Saul walking in the Spirit [of God]?

10. What ultimatum did Nahash give to Jabesh Gilead?

11. What was the point of gouging out the right eyes of the men of Jabesh Gilead?

12. On whose behalf was Saul angry?

13. How were the Ammonites defeated?

14. Where was Saul’s coronation?

1. 1 Samuel 12:1-5 - This is Samuel’s farewell address to Israel as their political leader. What kind

of ruler does he claim to have been? What are some of the claims that he makes?

2. What are some things you can do to keep you from having a hardened heart? How can you

cultivate a heart of repentance?

3. What other leaders had God sent Israel? What cycle is Samuel describing in 12:6-11?

4. What battle did Saul’s son win, and what was the effect – 13:3 - 4?

5. Describe the sin of Saul in 13:8-10, and how did Saul try to justify his act (13:11-12)?

6. What do you think the significance of verse 13:22-23 are for our lives today?

7. What did Jonathan and his armor bearer decide to do – 14:4-7?

8. Describe Jonathan’s faith as stated in 14:26. What lessons can we learn?

1. If God wanted to judge the Amalekites, why didn't He just do it Himself? He completely

destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah without any help from man. Why not just do

the same here?

2. Why do you think the Israelites spared Agag, the King, and the choicest property of the

Amalekites? Consider the consequences of partial obedience to God and complete

obedience to God.

3. Does God still call His people to take up arms? Why or why not?

4. How can God say, "I greatly regret…?" Does this mean that God did not know what

would happen or that he was powerless to make them come to pass?

5. Was Saul grieved that he had sinned against God? Did he know he had sinned??

6. Read Psalm 139: 23-24; what blind spots of sin might we have in our lives?

7. How does God view the religious observance of sacrifice?

8. Why does Samuel allow Saul to come with him and worship the Lord?

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of

the LORD came upon David from that day forward…” 1 Samuel 16:13

1. Why do you think Samuel mourned so much for Saul, and why do you think he was

afraid?

2. What would cause the elders of Bethlehem to tremble at the sight of Samuel?

3. Is there a difference between a peace offering and a sin offering?

4. What was David’s status in his family? (Historians put David between 10 and 15 years old at this time)

5. What do you think were some of the life lessons David learned as he watched his

family’s sheep? (Psalm 19:1-4, Psalm 8, Psalm 23, Psalm 78:70-72)

6. At this time, did Jesse and his sons know what the substance of David’s anointing was?

Did David?

7. Why did the Spirit of the Lord depart from Saul? Did the Lord cause him to be

distressed?

8. God sent the young David to minister to Saul – did God still love Saul, did He hope for

Saul’s redemption?

9. Reflection - Outward appearance vs. the heart:

a. What does our outward appearance tell us about ourselves, and how do you

think others see us.

b. How do we love God? How does God see our hearts?

Ruddy - Reddish, sun-tanned healthy and glowing appearance; a tanned and brilliant glow demonstrating

vibrancy in the skin. From the Hebrew – admoniy - reddish (of the hair or the complexion):—red, ruddy.

This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.

This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals,

and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know

that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give

all of you into our hands.”1 Samuel 17:46-47

1. When Saul and the Israelites heard the words of the Philistine, they were greatly

dismayed – why was Israel dismayed? Why was Saul in particular, dismayed?

2. Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days, a period of judgement and testing: are there other

instances of 40 days in the Bible?

a. Discussion: What are some other examples of period of judgement and testing in

the life of the church or personally?

3. What was the difference between the way the Israelites reacted to Goliath and the way

David reacted toward Goliath?

4. Why do you think Eliab became angry after hearing David speak? To David, what was

“the cause”?

5. Where did David get this perspective; this courage?

a. Reflection: David’s experience as a shepherd prepared him for battle against

Goliath. What battles do you face today, and what experiences can help you

prepare for battle?

6. Are you more used to the weapons and armor of the flesh, or the weapons and armor of

the Spirit?

7. Upon Goliath’s death, did the Philistines do as they had agreed in verse 9?

8. Are their “impossible” victories God has waiting for you, if you would be like David?

"Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name

of the LORD, saying, "The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants

and my descendants forever."'" 1 Samuel 20:42

1. While in Saul’s tent, why do you think Jonathan gave David his robe, armor and sword?

2. Saul had become corrupted by the praise and popularity of his earlier victories, and now

through the enemy, was doing his best to corrupt David. How did David respond?

3. Saul knew his sin disqualified him from being King, why do you think he still clung to

the throne? What actions did he take?

4. The test of true friendship: In what ways does Jonathan puts his own life at risk for the

sake of David?

5. How would describe the friendship between David and Jonathan? Have you experienced

a close friendship?

6. We see David go from great spiritual strength in fighting Goliath to falling into lies and

deception. Why do you think David lost his confidence in God?

Reflection on the Psalms of David

Do we know how David was feeling as he was being pursued and persecuted by Saul?

These Psalms were written by David, expressing his thoughts and heart during the time he was

fleeing from King Saul and escaping the King of Gath:

Psalm 59

Psalm 56

Psalm 34