DAILY BIBLE STUDY – QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

FIRST DAY: Overview (1 Samuel 11:1-12:25)

  1. As king, Saul would assume a political and civic responsibility, but he was still to be subject to the law of the Lord. (See 1 Samuel 10:25 and Deuteronomy 17:14-20.) What are the results, politically and socially, when human leaders are accountable to God’s design for leadership?
  1. Read 1Samuel 8:19-20. What three reasons did the Israelites give for wanting a king instead of making the Lord their leader? Read Psalm 20:7-8 and Luke 16:13. Explain the conflict that results when men try to place their hope in human systems and the Lord at the same time.

Pray that your fear of the Lord will be a light to your path and a lamp to others.

SECOND DAY: Read 1 Samuel 11:1-11

  1. When Saul returned from the fields, what details were provided to him about the situation in Jabesh-Giliead? What happened to Saul upon hearing this? What was his response? Was this effective?
  1. When threatened by Nahash, the elders of Jabesh called for help from their brothers. Who are the specific persons that you can call on to stand beside you in the battles that come your way? Recount a time when you were called upon to stand beside a brother Christian who was facing a tough battle.
  1. How might the events of verse 6 have affected Saul’s leadership, the men’s reaction to him (see 1 Samuel 10:27), and the outcome of the battle? How often are actions in your similar to the ones in verse 6?

Pray that by God’s grace and Spirit, you might lead others from despair to hope.

THIRD DAY: Read 1 Samuel 11:12-15

  1. What suggestion is brought to Saul after the victory at Jabesh-Gilead? Did his response surprise you? If so, what about it was surprising? How frequently do you attribute your victories at work or at home to the same source as Saul? Explain your answer. How do you encourage others to celebrate the Lord’s work?
  1. In verses 14 and 15 what might be the reason Samuel suggested they “renew” the kingdom? (see also Joshua 4:15-24 and consider Israel’s reasons for requesting a king). What times of renewal to your relationship with God do you deliberately undertake? Why are these times important to you?
  1. Looking at verse 15, what might be the difference between rejoicing and being thankful? How frequently do each of these actions take place in your life? How do Philippians 4:4, 1 Peter 4:13 and Colossians 4:2 add to your understanding of these actions?

Pray to see the work of the Lord each day and in every good thing.

FOURTH DAY: Read 1 Samuel 12:1-18.

  1. What acknowledgement is Samuel seeking in verses 1-5? Why is this acknowledgement important in relation to his message in verses 6-18? Read 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12. What parallels do you see between Paul’s description of his ministry and Samuel’s words here in 1 Samuel 12?
  1. In verses 13-15, what choices does Samuel set before the people? In verses 16-18, what does Samuel do to drive home the validity of his argument before the people? Why is this form of persuasion less common today?

Pray to serve God in every choice you make.

FIFTH DAY: Read 1 Samuel 12:19-25

  1. In verse 19, what evil does Israel confess that they have done and for what do they ask from Samuel? (See also Proverbs 28:13.) In verses 20 and 21 what four things does Samuel tell the people to do? What resources do mature Christians have at their disposal to obey what Samuel (and Jesus) asks to be done?
  1. Is there a contradiction between verses 22 and 25? What does it practically look like in your life to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully as Samuel commanded in verse 24? Explain your answer.

Pray to always turn aside from what verse 21 calls “empty things that cannot profit or deliver.”

SIXTH DAY: Review

In 1 Samuel 11 and 1 Samuel 12, the people longed to put their trust in a man (or a system) so they would be like other nations. God grants them a king, but Samuel reminds them that obedience to the Lord, not a human king, is their primary priority.

  1. In verses 7 and 16 of chapter 12, Samuel asks the people to “stand still,” once so he can plead with them and once for them to see a miracle. Describe some times in your life you have “stood still” before the Lord and the impact that has made on your relationship with him.
  2. Consider the following scenario as you reflect on this week’s study.
  3. You meet a Christian brother as you wait for some routine maintenance on your car. He explains that his car, a 2010 SUV, is also in for routine maintenance. He says that although the car is running well and has average mileage, a comment his kids made had caused him to think about buying a newer model. “My kids said their friends were talking about all of the cool new features on their family cars and were wondering why our car was so old,” he says. He continues, “It got me thinking that maybe the newer safety features might be good for my family and the wear and tear on our car is really starting to making it stand out compared to others in our neighborhood. It’s also pretty embarrassing when my wife and I pick up another couple for an evening out—I always wish they would volunteer to drive in their nicer car.” What questions might you ask your Christian brother as you seek to provide godly counsel in the decision he is considering?

DEEPER STUDY:

Wanting something just because the neighbors have one (like a king, perhaps?) can usher in a dangerous kind of materialism that blurs our sense of reality and priority. Consider the kind of materialism that best serves Christians: