Compass Men’s Bible StudyLesson 16 – 1 Samuel 25:1-44

DAILY BIBLE STUDY – QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

FIRST DAY: Overview (1 Samuel 25:1-44)

  1. What did Abagail do for David when he was outraged and headed to kill Nabal? Explain a time that God showed His providence and placed someone or something in your life that prevented you from making a bad decision?
  1. When you compare Chapters 24 and 25, you will see a tale of two Davids. In Chapter 24, what do you observe about David’s actions against Saul? In contrast, what about David’s actions against Nabal? Read 1 Samuel 25:13, 21-22. How does 1 Samuel 24:6 further explain the difference in David’s responses?

SECOND DAY: Read 1 Samuel 25:1-8

  1. How are both Nabal and Abigail described when they are introduced? If you fast forward to verse 17 and verse 25, how do both Nabal’s servant and his wife respectively describe him in these verses.
  1. Why do you believe the description of his riches (v.2) is provided even before Nabal’s actual name is introduced in verse 3?
  1. When he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep, what did David tell his men to leverage in the conversation with Nabal in order to be invited to a feast day? How would you describe the way David had his men initially approach the conversation with Nabal?

THIRD DAY: Read 1 Samuel 25:9-13

  1. When sheep-shearing time arrives, David expects to be given meat and bread in exchange for his labors. Normally, this was a time of feasting for all of the family and workers. Based on that, David’s request to join seems reasonable, but what is Nabal’s response to David’s request? How does David respond to Nabal’s rejection?
  1. Revenge is a reaction which in an irrational/sinful state of mind can seem justified, but as Christians, God calls us to respond differently. Read Deut. 32:35 and Rom. 12:14-19. How does God call us to respond?
  1. How is God’s direction in question 7 different from Saul’s anger in Chapter 11, verse 6? Consider David’s reason for anger. When was a time that you didn’t get what you wanted and immediately became enraged and made plans to negatively confront the situation?

FOURTH DAY: Read 1 Samuel 25:14-22

  1. Looking at verses 14-17, the young servant could be seen as the unsung hero in this story. What did he do that was small, but essential? When you compare this to prayer, how God can take what may appear to be a minor issue and make a major change (maybe affecting several persons), explain a time where you’ve witnessed or personally experienced this?
  1. Read Acts 23:12-22. Who does God providentially use in this situation to protect Paul, in a manner similar to the nameless servant in 1 Samuel 25? How did he specifically use this person?

FIFTH DAY: Read 1 Samuel 25:23-39

  1. Abigail went out into the wilderness and approached David and his armed men. During their interaction, in which Abigail pleaded for David not to kill Nabal and his considering her request, God’s “restraining” action is mentioned. List the four verses in which God’s “restraining” action is mentioned and explain what is being “restrained” (or “kept”) in each of these verses.
  1. When Abagail returns home to Nabal, what does she find him doing? On the next morning, what is Nabal’s response after Abagial tells him about the meeting with David? How does, what eventually happens to Nabal, give David more confidence in the Lord when in it comes to his enemies?

SIXTH DAY: Read 1 Samuel 25:39-44

  1. Reading through verse 43, what were the names of the wives that David had at this point? In verse 44 what did Saul do with one of his wives? Why do you think Saul would do this? Fast forward and read 2 Samuel 3:13-16. What was David’s response to Saul’s actions in this passage?
  1. Read Deuteronomy 17:17. God commands the kings not to have “many” wives, when you consider David and others in the Old Testament such as Solomon or Jacob, why do you think that contradicting God’s command was so common in these days? From a worldly perspective, what was the benefit for a woman having to share a husband?
  1. Digging Deeper: After reading this article, share some of your findings on how you can get rid of your sinful anger or help someone else when he becomes sinfully angry.