"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?

"A Dish Best Served Cold" / 1 Sam 23:19 – 24:22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In 23:19-29, why might have David expected the Zephites to protect him? Why did they betray him? What do we see in Saul's relentless pursuit of David? How is God's sovereignty displayed?

2 – In 24:1-7, why did David's men encourage David to kill Saul? What did they say in verse 4? Did God say that? (See 23:4) Why might David be tempted to kill Saul? Why might he see this as God's provision and plan? Why did he choose not to? Why was David remorseful of simply cutting off the corner of Saul's robe?

3 – In verses 8-22, was it dangerous for David to follow Saul out of the cave? How does David's defense indict and blame Saul? (see verses 11, 15) How does our forgiveness of others often recognize fault and responsibility? How can we acknowledge blame and yet forgive? Does the other person need to acknowledge and accept before we forgive? Do they need to ask for forgiveness?

4 – Read Dt 32:35 and Rom 12:19. What should Christians do when we have been offended, wronged, or mistreated? How is this different from what the world does? Why? Read Jn 15:18-21 and 1 Pet 2:21-23.

"Two Are Better Than One" / 1 Samuel 23:1-18 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verses 1-5, why were David's men afraid to fight to save Keilah? How is David's direction becoming more godly? How does David give assurance to his men? How does David behave, "kingly," in saving Keilah? Why doesn't Saul?

2 – In verses 6-14, Why might David think he is safe in Keilah? Why does Saul think he has David trapped? After saving them from the Philistines, why would the people of Keilah give David to Saul? Does David find fault for this?

3 – In verses 15-18, How does Jonathan, "strengthen David's Hand?" Of what does he remind David? How is Jonathan like Barnabas in Acts 11:22-24? (4:36; 9:26) How is this an example of how Christians should give brotherly support and encouragement to each other? How is encouragement different from flattery? What makes it difficult? How is this passage more of an exhortation to be a Jonathan?

4 – Read Ecc 4:9-12. How can we apply this scripture to the passage today? To our church? To our friends?

"Chain Reaction" / 1 Samuel 22:1-23 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, what problems might be associated with building a following among the discontent? What problems might David experience being on the run with over 400 people?

2 – In verses 3-5, why would David seek sanctuary for his parents? Why in Moab? Why might the king of Moab agree? Why might Gad, the prophet, direct David to return and remain in Judah?

3 – In verses 6-10, what clues are given as to the deteriorating mental and spiritual condition of Saul? What does Doeg report? What information does he add? (verse 10) What important fact does he omit?

4 – In verses 11-15, in what ways does Saul demonstrate disrespect and contempt for the priest, Ahimelech? How does the priest demonstrate respect for the king? How does Ahimelech respond to the charges?

5 – In verses 16-19, Why does Saul condemn to death the priest and all the other priests? Ahimelech is the great great grandson of Eli. How is the prophecy of 1 Sam 2:27-33 realized in the murder of Ahimelech and his entire family? Why would Saul's guards be reluctant to obey the order to execute the priest? Why does Doeg have no such reluctance? Saul was once reluctant and unwilling to obey the Lord's command to annihilate the enemy, here he has no reluctance, but great eagerness, to murder the Lord's priests and annihilate the entire town of Nob and every living thing in it. What has happened to Saul? How?

6 – Read James 1:13. What does this tell us about unrestrained evil in our own hearts? How do we avoid a, "chain reaction," of sin in our own lives?