September 9: I Samuel 16:1-23<\/a><\/strong> September 16: I Samuel 17:1-58<\/a> <\/strong> September 23: I Samuel 18:1-30<\/a><\/strong> September 30: I Samuel 19:1-24<\/a><\/strong> October 7: I Samuel 20:1-42<\/a> <\/strong> \f\u00a0October 14: I Samuel 21:1-22:5<\/a><\/strong> \fOctober 21:\u00a0I Samuel\u00a022:6-23<\/a><\/strong> \fOctober 28:\u00a0I Samuel\u00a023:1-29<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> November 4:\u00a0I Samuel\u00a024:1-22<\/a><\/strong><\/span> November 11:\u00a0I Samuel\u00a025:1-44<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
\nHow is David different than the man Samuel expected to be anointed king? Describe a time in your life where you expected one thing, but God delivered in unexpected ways. <\/span>
\nThough God anointed David as His choice for king, David did not actually rule as king until many years later. How did David spend his time? Share a time in your life when you felt God had you in a \u201cholding pattern\u201d. How did you handle it?<\/span>
\nDavid was anointed king, yet became a servant to Saul. Why do you think the LORD planned it this way? Why does God have you where you are today?’<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nRead Isaiah 53:2-6. What similarities do you see between God\u2019s choice of David as king and God\u2019s choice of Jesus as King?<\/span>
\nLooking back on your life to this point, into what roles has God called you? How has he shaped you for that role? Were you, like David, the opposite of what people expected? <\/span>\f<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/span>
\nWhat was David\u2019s motivation in challenging Goliath? What can we learn about David and his character in this section?<\/span>
\nAnytime we read bible stories, we\u2019re tempted to see ourselves as one of the characters. Who does the author intend for us to see ourselves as in this story? How does that help us better understand the purpose? <\/span>
\nDavid finds courage and strength by looking back on God\u2019s past faithfulness as assurance of his future faithfulness (<\/span>e.g.<\/span><\/i> defeating lions and bears). Share a specific example when God has been faithful to you in the past and a way it can cause you to trust God more in a present struggle? <\/span>
\nAs one of the most popular bible stories in our culture, has your view of this chapter changed after studying it? If you were to describe the story of David and Goliath to a friend, what would be your focus? <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nHave you ever been usurped from a promotion or job you thought should have been yours? What lesson can be learned from the way Jonathan treated David? <\/span>
\nFrom a worldly perspective, talk about David\u2019s various roles and positions. Were they promotions or demotions? How did God use Saul\u2019s anger and fear to place David where he wanted him? <\/span>
\nDo you think David is attempting to outmaneuver Saul\u2019s devious plans? What else could explain his actions? What can we learn from David\u2019s posture in the marriage proposals? <\/span>
\nHow has Saul\u2019s character developed over the course of this book? If you were to look at your narrative, how would your character be described over time to this point? Are you lacking faith in God in any areas of your life right now? Let your Grace Community pray for you now about these areas, and trust that God can meet you in it. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/span>
\nCompare and contrast the major characters in this chapter. How would you describe each person\u2019s relationship to David? <\/span>
\nJonathan is very bold to stand up to the king and call him out on his sin. Have you ever done something similar? How did the other person respond? Is there someone in your life that would benefit from your boldness now? <\/span>
\nDo you think Saul was genuine when he swore an oath to Jonathan that David was not going to be put to death? <\/span>
\nThis is the first time we see David flee from Saul. Was David still trusting in the Lord when he ran from his enemy? Where do we draw the line between faith for protection and wisdom to flee? <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/span>
\nHere we see Jonathan putting his reputation on the line for David. Have you ever done the same for a friend? For Christ? What was the outcome? <\/span>
\nHow does our culture view oaths and promises? How does that compare to biblical times? <\/span>
\nHow did a wicked man like Saul have a son like Jonathan? <\/span>
\nAfter confirming that Saul intended to kill David, why does Jonathan tell him to \u201cgo in peace?\u201d What can we learn from Jonathan in this story? <\/span>
\nRead Romans 5:1-5. How does this passage speak to our message from 1 Samuel 20? How are you being challenged by this passage? <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nHere we see David in a tough spot in life. A man without a home, separated from his wife and best friend. Have you ever felt your life was in the same place? <\/span>
\nPsalm 34 is written during this time of David\u2019s life. Take some time to read the passage. Compare and contrast David\u2019s words in the psalm and the story told in 1 Samuel. Did you first read our text in 1 Samuel with a different impression of what David must be thinking? <\/span>
\nWhat does Ahimelech offer David to eat? Was there anything wrong with David\u2019s eating this food?<\/span>
\nWe see David lie twice in this passage for the purpose of self preservation. Was David in sin to lie? How is this reconciled with the fact that David is declared a \u201cman after God\u2019s own heart?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nWhy was Saul\u2019s response to the priest so severe?<\/span>
\nWhy were Saul\u2019s officials unwilling to raise a hand against the priest? Why was Doeg different? Do you think he went beyond Saul\u2019s wishes, or was he in line with Saul? <\/span>
\nAhimelek defended David\u2019s character when confronted by Saul. If you were accused of something, how would your reputation stand up? <\/span>
\nDoes David blame himself for the deaths of Ahimelek\u2019s family? Why? What does this show us about his character and concern for others? <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nHow does David differ in this story compared to last week? <\/span>
\nDo you often seek God in prayer during times of trouble, like David does here? Do you wait long enough or listen closely enough to hear God through your circumstances? <\/span>
\nSaul was hugely jealous of David\u2019s successes and the people\u2019s love for him. Are you able to celebrate other people\u2019s successes, achievements, and blessings, and enjoy seeing them built up? Why do we sometimes find this hard?<\/span>
\nWho are the \u2018Jonathans\u2019 in your life? Do you take time to help others find strength in God? What kind of things could you do to encourage others in their faith this week?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nHave you ever been wronged by someone else and been given the opportunity to retaliate? Did you? <\/span>
\nDavid knew God\u2019s will was for him to be king, but the \u201chow\u201d was less clear. Here David is being tested to take the shortcut to become king. How are you sometimes tested or tempted to take the shortcut to bring about God\u2019s will in your life?<\/span>
\nHow does Saul\u2019s response to David sound to you? Do you think he is truly remorseful, or is he just putting on a show? What is the impact either way? <\/span>
\nMany of us have been wronged by people and are still holding grudges against them. Who is someone in your life that you need to forgive? Pray with your Grace Community that the Lord would strengthen you to have the resolve of David here. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nWhy do you think that Nabal is so rude to the messengers? Do you think David\u2019s response was warranted? <\/span>
\nAbigail is used by God to intervene and prevent David from sinning in his anger. If you had an \u201cAbigail\u201d intervene in your life, what situation would they talk to you about? <\/span>
\nOur story begins with David enraged, but ends with him at peace. How can we find the same peace in the moments where everything seems against us? What can we do when we don\u2019t have an \u201cAbigail\u201d show up to calm us down? <\/span>
\nRead Romans 12:17-21. What is Paul\u2019s instruction concerning revenge? What action should a follower of Jesus take when wronged by someone?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n