CONNECT:  If you had to summarise what you’ve learned so far from 1 Samuel, for someone who isn’t yet a Christian, what would you say?

WARM-UP  Question

1. What do you think are the most dangerous temptations for a Christian leader?
2. What really was wrong with the people asking for a king ‘such as the other nations have’? 
3. What was the determining factor that would provide the potential for this situation to be ‘good’?

READ 1 Samuel 15:1-6

1. Who was it that made Saul king? Why is it so imperative (for Saul) to be reminded of this fact?
2. How do you respond to the command in verse 3? Why are judgment and mercy both important?
3. How is God the only one truly qualified to be judge? How can we trust in him?

READ 1 Samuel 15:7-23

1. Does Saul do what he was commanded to? How is he obedient? How is he disobedient?
2. Who does Saul blame? How does he try to ‘reframe’ his disobedience? Is this acceptable?
3. Do you think when it comes to our disobedience (and sin) that we’re ever in danger of blaming others or trying to ‘reframe’ it so that we appear to be justified in our actions? Can you think of an example?
4. Why do Saul’s excuses fail to fool God? What does this mean for us?
5. In what way is obedience better than sacrifice? Do you think that you’re ever in danger of trying to bargain with God instead of just doing what he has commanded?
6. What is idolatry? How is ‘rebellion’ (or disobedience) as bad as idolatry?

READ 1 Samuel 15:24-28

1. Who is the earthly king pointed to as one ‘better’ than Saul? What makes him better?
2. Who is the ultimate king pointed to as one ‘better’? Spend some time as a group naming the various ways in which Jesus is the ultimate king and better than all others.
3. Why do we so desperately need a king like Jesus? How does Saul point to this need?

APPLY: Is there one area of your life in which you are not taking Jesus’ commands seriously? Confess it and ask for God’s help to change.

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On Your Frontline This Week: How has God used ordinary ways to work in the life of the one person you are praying to become a disciple? Give thanks!

Audio and Video 

• AUDIO: “Why Does God Command Violence in the Old Testament”
• AUDIO: “The King we Have vs the King we Need”
• AUDIO: “A Rejected King” by Aaron Roberts
• AUDIO: “To obey is Better than Sacrifice” by Richard Bewes

Key Resource

• “1 Samuel For You” by Tim Chester is an excellent introduction to 1 Samuel that will be suitable for people reading at a range of levels. The guide includes helpful discussion of the content of 1 Samuel, along with plenty of practical and devotional application. Watch an introduction to the book by Tim Chester. 

Other Helpful Books, Articles, and Courses

• “1 and 2 Samuel: Hope for the Helpless” by Andrew Reid (“Reading the Bible Today Series”) 
• “1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart” by Dale Ralph Davis (“Focus on the Bible Series”) 
• “Is Hell for Real? And other questions about judgment, eternity, and the God of love” by Erik Raymond.
  

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