"Camelot" / 2 Samuel 1:1-27 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – In verse 2, why did the messenger have dirt on his head? Why did he pay homage to David? What did that mean?
2 – In verse 3, what did the messenger mean when he said that he had "escaped" from the camp of Israel?
3 – In verse 6, what did the messenger mean that he was on Mt. Gilboa, "by chance?"
4 – In verses 7-10, the messenger claimed to have killed Saul. Why do we expect he was telling a lie? (see 1 Sam 31:4-6) Why would he lie about such an awful thing?
What is significant about the messenger being an Amalekite? Why would Saul care? (see 1 Sam 15:19) Why would David care? (see 1 Sam 30:1-2) What did the Amalekite hope to benefit from bringing this news to David?
5 – In verses 11-16, how did David respond to the news? To the messenger?
6 – In verses 17-27, why does David imply the years of Saul were "Camelot" years? What does that mean? Was he just being generous and kind? Does he exaggerate the good things or just point them out?
7 – In verse 26, How does David describe is relationship with Jonathan? Have you ever had or wished for a friend like Jonathan? Have you ever tried to be one?
"Devastated" / 1 Samuel 31: 1-13 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – In verses 1-6, what are the Philistines hoping to accomplish? How?
Why was Jonathan's death both sad and victorious? Why was Saul's death only grievous? Why does Saul kill himself?
How does scripture deal with Saul's method of death? How does suicide relate to the sanctity of life?
2 - In verse 7, why do the Israelite non-combatants panic? What do they do?
3 – In verses 8-10, why do the men of Jabesh Gilead risk a night time raid at Beth Shan? Why was it dangerous? Why do they burn the bodies of Saul and his sons?
How does this devastation set the stage for David to become king of Israel?
4 – How does a Christian's public sin defame our testimony and the name of our savior and king?
"Finding Your Way Home" / 1 Samuel 30:1-31 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – In verses 1-6, why did David's men blame the catastrophe of Ziklag on David? Why is it his fault?
Both David and Saul at this time find themselves in distress, in a tight spot. How do they each handle it? Compare 1 Sam 28:7 with 1 Sam 30:7
2 – In verses 7-10, why was one-third of David's force left behind at the Brook of Besor? How is David's final condition better than before?
Why is it important that David sends gifts to his friends in Judah? Why is it significant to mention Hebron?
3 – How is David's backsliding a picture of our own? How is David's return to God an example for us?
How is God's providence evident in:
David being sent home to Ziklag -
Having the Urim and the priest in his group -
Finding the Egyptian -
Locating the Amalekites -
Conquering the huge opposing force -
Returning the stolen property -
"Double Agent"/ 1 Samuel 29:1-11 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – In verses 1-5, why are the Philistine commanders alarmed and angry regarding the presence of, "The Hebrews?" Why does Achish defend David?
What do the commanders think of Achish? What do they suspect David will do in a war with Israel? Are they right?
2 – In verses 6-11, Achish is apologetic and conciliatory. Why? What does he think of David? Why? What is true about David?
How is it dangerous for David to play the part of a double agent? How does David, "double down," on deceiving Achish? Why?
3 – In what ways do Christians play double agents? How can we win the favor of the world?
What happens when we try to fit in with both the kingdom of heaven and the world? Why is this dangerous? How is it a disservice to God. How is it a disservice to the world?
"The Dark Night" / 1 Samuel 28:1-25 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – In verses 1-2, what was David's predicament when Philistia went to war against Israel? Who did he have allegiance to? What could he do?
2 – In verse 3, what is the point of telling us again that Samuel died?
3 – In verse 6, when Saul seeks direction from the Lord, He does not answer; why? Could this happen today? To Christians? How? Why?
4 – In verse 7, when God does not answer, Saul resorts to the occult for direction. Who does he hope to get answers from? How does this demonstrate Saul's moral and religious decline? Do Christians today sometimes resort to magic or occult practices to get God to act or answer?
5 – In verses 12-14, how does the medium react at seeing Saul? Why? What does she see? How does Saul know it is really Samuel? How does he react? Is it really Samuel? Can mediums call up dead people?
6 – In verses 15-20, what does Saul want to know? Why has he called up Samuel? What is he hoping for? What does he get? What does Samuel say that he hadn't said while alive?
7 – In verse 25, Saul arose and went away in the night. How does this natural darkness relate to Saul's spiritual condition?
8 – How does Saul's, "Dark night of the soul," compare to Jesus'?
9 – We all experience a, "Dark night of the soul," is it because of sin? What is the reason? The solution? How can we please and glorify God through it?
"Listening to Your Heart" / 1 Samuel 27:1-12 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – In verse 1, "David said in his heart." Can the heart be trusted? Why or why not? David said, "There's nothing better for me," - but was there?
2 – In verse 2, David goes to Gath. Has he been there before? (see 21:10 and following) With what results? Why should he expect a different outcome this time? What is different? Who else is from Gath?
3 – What had the prophet Gad told David in 22:5? Why? Why was it important for David to dwell in Israel? David had learned that God would surely protect him and place him as king. In chapter 25, through Abigail, he had been reminded to trust God and let Him handle justice and the timing. Was David doing any of this now?
-Looking ahead, (31:1-7), God was about to deal with Saul. Why didn't David wait? What did it cost David?
4 – David conducted raids on the people of Negev. Why? Why does he kill non-combatants? Does scripture condemn this? Why or why not? David lies to Achish about his raiding. Why? Does scripture condemn it?
5 – If it is not always safe to listen to your heart, who or what should we listen to? How do we know what is safe? If not to escape them, what should our ultimate goal in trials be?
"Suicide Mission" / 1 Samuel 26:1-25 / Jim Rosenquist
1 – What did David learn from Abigail that helps him here?
2 – Why did David take such a big risk? What was his mission? Why did David take Abishai with him on this dangerous mission? What did David expect? What did Abishai expect?
3 – How is this account similar to what happened in 1 Samuel 24 in the cave of Engedi?
4 – What does David say to Saul's army? Why does he say they all deserve to die?
5 – Why does David take Saul's spear and canteen? What does David learn about Saul? About God's care for him? Why does David not accept Saul's offer to "return?"
6 - What victory does David experience?
7. What lessons do we learn from this passage that relate to us? Can we trust God the way David is learning to.
"Dear Abby" / Samuel 25:1-35 / Jim Rosenquist
1 - In verse 1, what is significant about Samuel's death to David? To Israel? To the story of redemption? Why is it so understated?
2 – In verses 1-9, What is the essence of David's request from Nabal? Why is this request not extortion, racketeering, or a protection payment?
3 – In verses 10-12, why is Nabal harsh? What does he say that insults David?
4 – In verse 13, why is David so angry? What does he intend to do? How is this different from his encounter with Saul in the cave?
5 – In verses 14-17, why does Nabal's servant tell Abigail about her husband's behavior? What does this say about his master?
6 – In verses 18-31, Abigail sends a substantial gift to David ahead of her, why? What is the risk she is taking? Why does she assume the guilt and responsibility of the insult? (verse 24)
- Why does she say that it is the lord who restrained David? (verse 26) From what? Why? What is at stake? (verse 31) What does David learn about having God as his shield and defender?
7 - What do we learn from this text about, "getting even," when others offend us?
"Martureo" / Hebrews 11:1-40 / Hanson Rosenquist
In this passage the author of the book of Hebrews impresses upon his readers the essentiality of
faith for a relationship with God and perseverance in this life. He does this by providing multiple
examples of faith from the Old Testament. Keep this context in mind as you discuss these
questions.
1. What are some definitions of faith you've heard people give? How would you describe
Christian faith in your own words?
2. How does the author of Hebrews define faith? What are our assurances of faith?
3. What is the object of our faith? What are we hoping for?
4. Why is it impossible to please God without faith (v. 6)? What does it mean that people
were "commended" (were approved) for their faith?
5. In what ways is being a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ difficult? When are you most
tempted to "throw in the towel"? How does faith cause someone to persevere during
trials and temptations?
6. Read Matthew 24:10-14 and Hebrews 3:14. What is perseverance and why is it
important?
7. Why does the author say "By faith" so often? What is he trying to emphasize and make
clear to his readers? What does this mean for followers of Jesus Christ today?
8. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?