Study Questions | 1 Samuel 24

These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Chapter 24

Read 1 Samuel 24:1–7.

1. Saul pursues David to Engedi, a "major oasis along the western side of the Dead Sea about 35 miles southeast of Jerusalem" (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 487). Why do you think Saul sent such a large army against David and his men? How do you think this large army made Saul feel?

2. Why does Saul go into the cave alone (see Deuteronomy 23:12–14)?

3. Who happens to be hiding in the cave?

4. How do David's men react to this opportunity?

5. Is this an opportunity for David or a temptation for David?

6. Can you think of a time when a temptation felt like an opportunity? How can you tell the difference?

7. How did David respond and why did he feel guilty for his response in vv. 5–6?

8. Why did David not want to strike down Saul and what does that teach us today?

9. What does our culture teach about vengeance or getting even? Can you think of any movies that glorify revenge?

10. Read Romans 12:19–21, Matthew 5:38–48, and Luke 22:51. What do these passages teach about the theme of vengeance?

11. What can you learn from David's example?

Read 1 Samuel 24:8–15.

This is the longest speech of David in 1 Samuel (114 words in Hebrew). What do we learn about David's character and theology?

Read 1 Samuel 24:16–22.

1. This is the longest speech of Saul in 1 Samuel (67 words in Hebrew). What do we learn about Saul's character and theology?

2. Without reading ahead in 1 Samuel, what are signs that Saul's sorrow was not true repentance?

3. David was merciful to Saul and heard his repentance. But notice that he didn't go back home with Saul. Why? What could this teach us about dealing with dangerous or abusive people?

Study Questions | 1 Samuel 23:1-14

These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Chapter 23:1–14

Read 1 Samuel 23:1–5.

1. What’s the problem in v. 1?

2. How does David respond to this problem in v. 2?

3. How does God respond to David in v. 2? How do we often respond to problems? What can we learn from David?

4. What do David’s men think of the plan in v. 3? Why are they afraid? Is their fear rational or irrational?

5. How does David respond to their fear in v. 4? What principles of leadership can we learn from David’s response?

6. What differences do you notice between God’s first response in v. 2 and God’s second response in v. 4? Would this make David and his men feel more or less confident?

7. Did God keep his promise in v. 5? Will God keep his promises to us?

8. How does David in vv. 1–5 remind us of Jesus? See Luke 1:67–80 for more context.

Read 1 Samuel 23:6–14 .

1. Read Exodus 28:15–30. In your own words, describe the ephod.

2. The Urim and the Thummim were kept in a special pocket in the ephod. What do we know about the Urim and the Thummim? Read Numbers 27:21 and Ezra 2:63.

3. What is the problem in vv. 7–8?

4. How does David respond to this problem in vv. 9–12?

5. David had direct spiritual guidance from the priest. Who is our great High Priest in Hebrews 4:4–16?

6. Without the Urim and the Thummim, what does it look like to seek God’s guidance for decisions today? How is it the same? How is it different?

Study Questions | 1 Samuel 22

These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Read 1 Samuel 22:1–2.

1.      Where is David?

2.      Who joins David in this hiding place?

3.      Read the following passages in your Bible: Matthew 9:9–13, Matthew 11:28–30, 1 Corinthians 1:26–31, Ephesians 2:11-13, and Acts 4:13. Do you see a pattern?

4.      Looking at 1 Samuel 22:2, how does David’s reception of the marginalized point us to Jesus?

5.      How should this pattern of welcoming the marginalized affect the way we live as individual Christians and as a church together?

6.      What would it look like for Hope Church to be a refuge for people who are in distress, in debt, or bitter in soul (see v. 2)? What steps could we take to pursue this goal?

Read 1 Samuel 22:3–5.

1.      Why did David bring his parents to Moab? Read Exodus 20:12 and 1 Samuel 17:12 for more context.

2.      Read Ruth 1:1–5 and compare it with Ruth 4:13–17. Do these passages help illuminate why David chose Moab as a home for Jesse?

3.      What does this action of David reveal about his character?

4.      How are we called to honor our parents today?

5.      Speaking through the prophet Gad, God told David to leave his stronghold (possibly Masada) and to return to Judah. Why?

6.      How does God sometimes call us to leave “safe places” to pursue our calling in the Lord?

Read 1 Samuel 22:6–19.

1.      Why is Saul so angry in vv. 6–8? Why does he refuse to speak David’s name, calling him simply the “son of Jesse”?

2.      What does Doeg report in vv. 9–10?

3. How does Ahimelech, the priest, attempt to defend himself in vv. 11–15?

4.      Why do Saul’s men refuse his orders in vv. 16–17?

5.      Why was Doeg willing to commit the atrocities of vv. 18–19?

6.      What do these atrocities show about Saul and the nature of evil?

Read 1 Samuel 22:20–23.

1.      What do we learn about David’s character in these verses?

2.      How is David a model of repentance?

3.      David was a place of refuge for the priest of God. What are ways you need to take refuge in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, today?

Study Questions | 1 Samuel 21

These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Read 1 Samuel 21:1–9.

1. Looking at the context in chapter 20, why is David a fugitive?

2. Why is the priest afraid in v. 1?

3. In v. 2, why does David lie? What is his motivation in your view?

4. Do you think his lie is justifiable or unjustifiable?

5. What does David ask of Ahimelech?

6. Look at v. 4. Why was the bread considered holy? Turn in your Bible to Leviticus 24:5–9 for more context.

7. Was it wrong for the priest to give holy bread to David? Why or why not? How can you apply your answer to Christian living today?

8. Turn in your Bible to Matthew 12:1–8. How does Jesus apply our text from 1 Samuel?

9. What does v. 7 foreshadow? Skim 1 Samuel 22:6–23.

10. Does the outcome of David’s lie affect your answer to question 4?

Read 1 Samuel 21:10–15.

1. Who else was from Gath? See 1 Samuel 17:4.

2. Of all places, why do you think David fled to this city?

3. What happens to David in Gath? Why was David afraid?

4. How does David escape?

5. Read Psalm 34.

   • According to the preface, what is the setting for this psalm?

   • How does David reflect on his fears (vv. 8–9)?

   • How does David reflect on his lies (vv. 11–14)?

Study Questions | 1 Samuel 20

These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Read 1 Samuel 20:1-11.

1. How do Jonathan and David disagree in vv. 1-4?

2. How is their dialogue helpful for us today as we experience disagreement with others?

3. Look at the word “covenant” in v. 8. According to The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, a covenant is “a mutual commitment of an intensely personal kind.” If you have a concordance in the back of your Bible, look up the references to “covenant” in the Bible.

4. What is a covenant in your view?

5. Can you think of other “covenants” in the modern world?

6. How do you see Jonathan’s covenant faithfulness to David?

7. How do you see David’s Covenant faithfulness to Jonathan? 

Read 1 Samuel 20:12-23.

1. What plan do Jonathan and David concoct in the field?

2. How does Jonathan show covenant faithfulness to David?

3. How does Jonathan seek covenant faithfulness from David?

Read 1 Samuel 20:24-34.

1. Try telling the story in your own words.

2. How do we see the depravity of Saul?

3. What does Jonathan’s covenant faithfulness lead him to do? What is the result?

4. What can we learn from Jonathan’s bravery today?

Read 1 Samuel 35-42.

1. Try telling the story in your own words.

2. Look at the word peace in verse 42. The Hebrew word is shalom. What is the connection between covenant faithfulness and peace?

3. Is this outward peace or some other form of peace?

4. God enters into a covenant relationship with his people. How does God’s covenant faithfulness produce peace?

Study Questions | 1 Samuel 19

These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Read 1 Samuel 19:1-10.

• Who are the main characters in this section?

• How did God protect David?

• What do Jonathan’s words reveal about his theology and character in vv. 4-5?

• Looking at your own life, what practical lessons can you learn from Jonathan’s theology and character?

• What does Saul’s oath in v. 6 and his subsequent actions in vv. 8-10 reveal about his theology and character?

Read 1 Samuel 19:11-17.

• Who are the main characters in this section?

• How did God protect David?

• Look at v. 13. The word translated “image” can also be translated “household god” (Gen. 31:19). What does this tell us about Michal’s theology and character? Does this verse help explain 1 Samuel 18:21?

• What does the support of Saul’s children, Jonathan and Michal, tell us about David’s character?

• Read the preface to Psalm 59. When was Psalm 59 written?

• Read Psalm 59. What does David’s poetic reflection on this story teach us?

Read 1 Samuel 19:18-24.

• Who are the main characters in this section?

• How did God protect David?

• Read Psalm 59:17 again. How does 1 Samuel 19:18-24 display the truth of David’s words?

• How can this story about God’s protection help you trust him more in your own life?

• How does Jesus' work for you on the cross help you trust God more in your own life?

Crosspointe Joins Hope

Dear Friends,

At their congregational meeting on Sunday, Crosspointe Church unanimously voted to dissolve as a particular church and to transfer their building, assets, and membership to Hope Presbyterian Church, subject to the approval of Philadelphia Metro West Presbytery and the approval of Hope's provisional session. Since 96% of Hope Church's active members and attendees indicated that they thought absorbing Crosspointe Church would or could be helpful for the mission of Hope and since 0% indicated that they would leave the church if we moved forward, Hope's provisional session unanimously voted to receive the members, building, and assets of Crosspointe, uniting as one church under the leadership, vision, mission, and values of Hope Presbyterian Church.

In one sense, this change involves a sense of loss for both churches. Crosspointe will no longer exist as a particular church of the Presbyterian Church in America after Philadelphia Metro West Presbytery approves their decision. Likewise, Hope will miss our location at the Darlington Arts Center and the sweet fellowship we enjoyed there through the launch of our church and the COVID-19 pandemic.

But in another sense, this change is exciting for both churches. As a unified church, we have the opportunity to grow, reach new people, and pursue the Great Commission from a permanent facility. We have the opportunity to see people brought to faith in Christ and to see people recommit their lives to Jesus. We have the opportunity to see God raise up elders and deacons from one unified church so that we can become self-governing. Ultimately, we would love to see missionaries sent out and new churches planted through the ministry of Hope Presbyterian Church in the coming years.

What are the next steps?

• First and foremost, don't forget prayer. Give thanks for all God has done and for the Spirit of unity and peace on both sides. Pray that continues. But also, remember that "unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). Please pray that God will build this house for his glory! Let us claim the promise of Jesus, who said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).

• Second, I'll be working with the leaders of Crosspointe to schedule our first service as a unified church. It will most likely be on be August 13 or August 20. We are still waiting on formal approval from Philadelphia Metro West Presbytery, but we don't foresee any roadblocks that would prevent us from beginning to meet and to form an identity together as one church.

• Third, we will still meet for worship this coming Sunday (July 30) at the Darlington Arts Center at 10:30 AM. 

Please be on the lookout for more information soon, and don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.

In Christ,
Pastor Will

Thankful for a great first service with Crosspointe

Dear Hope Church,

We had a wonderful preview service with Crosspointe this past Lord's Day as we explore the possibility of joining to become one church under the leadership, vision, mission, and values of Hope Church. It was also a blessing to have prayer before the service and a meal afterward. 

As a reminder, here's our schedule for the next few weeks:

• We will hold two more 10:30 AM preview services at Crosspointe's building (July 2 and July 9), with prayer before the service at 9:30 AM and a meal afterward.

• On July 16, we will meet separately for worship at the Darlington Arts Center, followed by a Q&A to reflect and ask questions as a congregation.

•  On July 23, we will meet separately for worship at the Darlington Arts Center, followed by a meeting of the congregation.

As we explore this exciting possibility together, prayer should be our number one priority.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

In Christ,
Pastor Will