"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?

"Excalibur" / 1 Samuel 21:1-15 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-3, why does David flee Gibeah and run only 2 miles to Nob? Why was Ahimelech alarmed to see David? What explanation does David give? Was David trying to protect Ahimelech with a lie?

2 – In verses 4-5, why would the priest give holy bread to men who were not allowed to eat it? Would he give it to anyone? How do we know that David's arrival at Nob was on a sabbath?

3 – Read Luke 6:1-5. What were the disciples of Jesus doing that irritated the Pharisees? What law do they say the disciples are breaking? Does Jesus debate about what is legal on sabbath? Why?

4 - Who was Doeg? What do we about his people, the Edomites, from Num 20:14-21 and 1 Sam 14:47-48? What kind of a man is Doeg? Is David aware of this? (See 1 Sam 22:17-19)

5 – In verses 8-9, what do we know about the sword of Goliath? How did it come to David? Why does he want it?

6 – Why would David flee to Gath? Why does he think that is a good idea? Why would this be the very last place one would expect to see David? What kind of reception did he expect or hope for? Why? What did he get instead? Why? What danger was he facing? How did he escape? What did he learn? (See Psm 34:1-4)

7 – What is, "The Sword of the Spirit?" (See Eph 6:18) How do we obtain it?...use it? Who needs it?

"The Long and Winding Road" / 1 Samuel 20:1-42 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-4, why does David leave Samuel and go back to the royal residence? Was he safe with Samuel in Ramah? Why does Jonathan think David is mistaken in accusing Saul of attempted murder? How does David convince Jonathan?

2 – In verses 5-13, what is David's plan to test Saul and convince Jonathan? Is it a lie? Is it always wrong to lie? What principle governs this decision?

3 – In verses 14-17, why is Jonathan concerned for his family should David become king? How are his concerns addressed? How is this covenant different from 1 Sam 18:3?

4 – In verses 18-23, How is Jonathan' plan clear and clever? What's the purpose of the boy with him? (other than retrieving the arrows)

5 – In verses 24-34, why is Saul initially unconcerned about David's absence? What changed? How does he see through the deception? With what reaction? Why does Saul try to kill his own son, the crown prince? What is Jonathan angry about?

6 – In verses 35-42, if Jonathan was a man of such faith, courage, and character, why wasn't he destined to be the next king? How does David respond to, "The Long and Winding Road," ahead? (see Psm 62:1-2, Psm 23:1) How can we endure, "The Long and Winding Road?" (see 1 Pet 1:7, Lk 14:26-27)

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"The Great Escape" / 1 Samuel 19:1-24 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-7, how does Jonathan exemplify true friendship to David when confronting his father? How does he confront respectfully, tactfully, and effectively? Why was this risky? What was the result?

2 – In verses 8-10, once restored to Saul's favor, David was again successful in battle. How did this benefit Saul? How did Saul react? Why?

3 – In verses 11-17, Saul sends "hit-men" to stake out David's house. What is their plan? How does David's wife trick them? With what result?

4 – In verses 18-24, why does David flee to Samuel? Are they friends? In verse 20, who are, "the company of the Prophets?" (see 1Sam 10:10) Why do the "hit-men" end up prophesying? What does "prophesying" mean in this context? How does it save David from arrest?

5 - Why does Saul himself go to Ramah? What does he hope will be different? Why? Is it? What does the saying mean, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" How is it used differently here from 1Sam 10:11-12?

6 - David wrote Psalm 59 about this event. What can we correlate from Psalm 59:1-5 with this passage? In what ways is David's experience here similar to what Jesus experienced?