CONNECT:  What is one aspect of self-importance that you can hand over to Jesus?

WARM-UP  Question

1. Can you give a summary of everything that has happened up to this point in 1 Samuel so far?
2. Have you ever felt frustrated by the speed at which God seems to be (apparently) working? Is our frustration misplaced? What do you think is really behind how we feel in this situation?

READ 1 Samuel 24:1-12 & 26:1-13

1. How are these two scenarios really similar? How are they different?
2. In worldly terms, how does it seem that Saul has the advantage? How does the Lord turn this around?
3. If David knows that he is God’s new anointed king, why doesn’t he take Saul’s life?
4. Have you ever been tempted to ‘rush ahead’ of God? How so?
5. What helped David patiently wait for God’s timing? How might that help us as we also await God’s purposes and promises to be fully realised?
6. If you had to name one main difference between Saul and David, what would you say? 
With regards to this ‘one thing’, do you identify more with Saul or with David?

READ 1 Samuel 26:17-24

1. How difficult had the life been for David in recent years? Why do you think he can’t understand why Saul wants him dead?
2. How might God have used David’s suffering to prepare him for his future as king? Do you think God can ever use our suffering for his purposes? Can you think of an example?
3. As Christians, should we expect to suffer for Jesus? How should we act amidst suffering?
4. How is David strengthened to continue trusting the Lord amidst suffering? How can we be strengthened
5. to keep on following Jesus amidst suffering?
6. What is David’s ultimate source of hope? How do we have even more reason to hope?
7. Does it make any difference to you that you can be certain of future glory? Under what conditions?
8. Why wouldn't Saul bow his knee to David? What prevents us from bowing our knee to Jesus?

APPLY: As you trust in the Lord, how can you grow this week in either patience, endurance, or hope?

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On Your Frontline This Week: How does following Jesus transform how you care and engage with others on your front line What might be the next step you can take?

Audio and Video 

• AUDIO: “David’s Mercy” by Tim Keller
• AUDIO ”How to Love a Fool” by David Bisgrove
• AUDIO: “1 Samuel 22,24,27” by Mark Watts
• AUDIO: “The King Who Trusts God” by Charlie Skrine
• AUDIO: “Generous Treatment” 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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