For July 5 meeting: 1 Samuel - chapters 7-11 1. How do you think Israel served foreign gods and idols?

How might we serve idols today?

2. Do you think getting "deliverance" from your problems (7:3) is a good reason to follow the Lord?

3. What is the significance of the actions of 7:6?

4. What do you learn from the people's response to the Philistine threat of 7:7-9? How can you follow their example for the threats in your life?

5. What prophesy of 2:10 was fulfilled in 7:10?

6. Do you think Samuel's explanation of Ebenezer in 7:12 was meant as an encouragement or is there a hint of doubt that the Lord would continue to help them?

7. Is there a difference between the judging of Samuel and that forbidden by Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5?

8. From 8:5 and 8:19-20, why did the elders of Israel want a king? What do you learn about conformity from this?

9. Based on 8:6-9, why was the request for a king an insult to God?

10. How did God comfort Samuel in 8:8? How did Jesus speak similarly in John 15:18?

11. What warnings did Samuel give the people about a king in 8:10-18?

12. What warnings, or directions, about kings had God already provided for Israel in Deuteronomy 17:14-20?

13. What can you learn from Samuel's actions in chapter 8, for dealing with the tough decisions in your life?

14. If Samuel did not appoint good judges, why do you think he was asked to appoint a king?

15. Who did Saul consult about finding his way, and what can you learn from this?

16. What do you learn about Saul from 9:21?

17. Why might it have been a surprise that the king was from the tribe of Benjamin (see Judges 20-21)?

18. What was the significance of the oil in 10:1?

19. What promise did Saul get in 10:7? What similar promise did Jesus give his followers in Matthew 28:20?

20. If you were in Saul's position in 10:1-8, would you have believed Samuel? Would you have been scared?

21. Why do you think Saul didn't share all his experiences with his uncle in 10:14-16?

22. If it was already determined that Saul would be king, why were lots drawn in 10:19-21?

23. Do you think verse 10:22 makes Saul look humble, cowardly, or a little of both?

24. Is there any baggage in your life that might be holding you back from your true potential in God? Can we pray for you?

25. Why do you think Nahash waited to attack Jabesh-gilead and allowed messengers to leave to seek help?

26. How did Saul react when he heard the words of the men of Jabesh in 11:5-7? Do you think his actions were a good way to motivate people?

27. How did the men of Jabesh-gilead respond in 11:9-10 to the news that deliverance was coming? What do you think of this?

28. What do you learn about Saul from 11:13?

29. What did it mean when "the Spirit of God came upon" someone? Do you think this still happens today?

30. Why do you think it was necessary for the people to gather in Gilgal (11:14-15) when they had already gathered at Mizpah (10:17-25)?