1 + 2 SAMUEL
READING PLAN + STUDY QUESTIONS
READING PLAN
SAMUEL’S LIFE + LEADERSHIP
SAUL ANOINTED AS KING
SAUL’S JEALOUSY OF DAVID
THE END OF SAUL’S REIGN
THE START OF DAVID’S REIGN
DAVID’S DISOBEDIENCE
AMNON + ABSALOM
DAVID’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
HOW TO USE
READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
SESSION ONE: 1 SAMUEL 1-7
SAMUEL’S LIFE + LEADERSHIP
In 1 Samuel 1, how did Hannah display fervent prayer and petitioning? Why did Eli assume that Hannah was drunk?
How did Hannah respond to God’s provision of her son Samuel? How would you summarize her prayer of praise (1 Samuel 1:27-28, 1 Samuel 2)?
How was Samuel different than Eli’s sons (1 Samuel 2:12, 2:26)?
What precedent did God set in 1 Samuel 2:30? How does this foreshadow the future kings of Israel?
How did Samuel respond to hearing from God (1 Samuel 3:10)? How did Eli respond to the news regarding his sons (1 Samuel 3:18)?
In 1 Samuel 4:1-11, what military strategy did the Israelites employ? Why was this a bad idea?
What happened when Eli heard the news that the ark of the covenant had been stolen (1 Samuel 4:17-18)?
What did the Philistines do with the ark of the covenant? How did God respond (1 Samuel 5)?
Why did the Philistines ultimately return the ark? Why do you think some of the Israelites were struck down upon its return (1 Samuel 6)?
In 1 Samuel 7, how did Samuel lead the Israelites? How did God honor his leadership?
SESSION TWO: 1 SAMUEL 8-15
SAUL ANOINTED AS KING
Read 1 Samuel 8:1-9. Why did the Israelites want a king? How did God feel rejected by this request?
Previously, Israel was led by judges. What are the key differences between a judge and a king?
In 1 Samuel 9:1-2, how was Saul described? Why would these qualities be popular for a king?
When Saul was publicly presented as king, how did the people respond? How did Saul’s victory over the Ammonites affect his leadership and relationship with the Israelites?
In Samuel’s farewell speech, what miraculous acts of God did he recall? What advice did he give to the Israelites?
How did Saul ignore God’s instructions and act according to his own plans? What does this reveal about Saul’s leadership?
What do you think it means to be a person “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14)?
How did Jonathan, Saul’s son, lead with faithfulness and trust in God (1 Samuel 14:1-6)?
What strange vow did Saul make regarding food? What happened when Jonathan didn’t get the memo?
Read 1 Samuel 15:24-31. What happened between Saul and Samuel? How does Saul’s robe represent his leadership over the Israelites?
SESSION THREE: 1 SAMUEL 16-24
SAUL’S JEALOUSY OF DAVID
Read 1 Samuel 16:7. What does this verse reveal about God? How did this wisdom influence Samuel’s choice of David?
In 1 Samuel 17, how did David trust God’s faithfulness instead of the opinions of others?
Based on 1 Samuel 18:1-5, how would you describe David and Jonathan’s friendship?
Why was Saul jealous of David? How did Saul act on this jealousy and threaten David’s life?
How did David’s friendship with Jonathan protect him from Saul’s violent attempts?
How did Michal save David’s life? How was Michal related to Saul?
Read Matthew 12:1-8. How does this passage connect to 1 Samuel 21:6? How does eating the holy bread relate to the Sabbath?
In 1 Samuel 23, how did the Philistines unknowingly help David escape from Saul?
When given the chance to kill Saul in the cave, what did David do instead (1 Samuel 24:1-7)?
SESSION FOUR: 1 SAMUEL 25-31
THE END OF SAUL’S REIGN
In 1 Samuel 25:3, how was Abigail described in comparison to her husband? How did her service to David frustrate Nabal?
Compare 1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26. How did David spare Saul’s life again? What did he take from Saul’s camp in 26:12?
Upon realizing David’s kindness and righteousness, how did Saul respond?
In 1 Samuel 27:1, David was still afraid of Saul. Where did he go to hide?
What happened when Saul cried out to God in 1 Samuel 28:6? Revisit 1 Samuel 8:18. How did Samuel predict God’s response?
Why was it wrong for Saul to consult a medium? How do Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6 warn against seeking mediums?
In 1 Samuel 29, how did the Philistines’ distrust of David work to his advantage?
In 1 Samuel 30, when David and his men returned to Ziklag, what tragic event had occurred, and how did David respond to it?
How did Saul’s life come to a tragic end (1 Samuel 31:1-6)?
Throughout 1 Samuel, how did the Israelites start to act like the Canaanites?
SESSION FIVE: 2 SAMUEL 1-6
THE START OF DAVID’S REIGN
How did the messenger lie to David about Saul’s death? How did David respond? Why would David be saddened by Saul’s death?
In 2 Samuel 2, who was appointed as the king over Israel? Who acknowledged David as their leader?
How would you summarize the relationships between David, Abner, and Joab?
What ended Ish-Bosheth’s reign? Although it benefitted David, how did he respond to the news of Ish-Bosheth’s death (2 Samuel 4)?
David waited many years to be appointed king. How do you think God prepared him in his time of waiting?
Read 2 Samuel 5:19-20 and 25. How did David show faithfulness and obedience in the beginning of his reign?
After David made Jerusalem Israel’s capital city, what did he decide to transport to Jerusalem? How did things go awry for Uzzah?
Why do you think Michal, David’s wife, despised him when he was dancing and rejoicing (1 Samuel 6:16)?
SESSION SIX: 2 SAMUEL 7-12
DAVID’S DISOBEDIENCE
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17. What was God’s covenant with David? How did Jesus ultimately fulfill this covenant?
Although David made the plans for the temple, who did God say would build it (2 Samuel 7:12-13)?
Over what nations was David victorious? According to 2 Samuel 8:14, who was responsible for David’s success?
To whom in Saul’s family did David extend kindness? What actions of Jesus did David foreshadow?
According to 2 Samuel 11:1, where were the other Israelite leaders? Why do you think David stayed in Jerusalem?
In the situation with Bathsheba, how did David continue to sin instead of coming forward to Uriah? How does hiding sin often lead to further sin?
How did Nathan use the story of the rich man and the lamb to call out David’s wrongdoing (2 Samuel 12)?
What were the consequences of David’s actions? Who else did David’s sin affect besides himself?
SESSION SEVEN: 2 SAMUEL 13-18
AMNON + ABSALOM
How did Amnon act disgracefully and sinfully towards Tamar? How did Absalom retaliate?
In what ways did both Amnon and Absalom repeat the sins of their father, David?
How did David show unconditional love for his children despite their actions? Does this reveal anything about God’s love?
In 2 Samuel 15, who betrayed David? After David’s ongoing feud with Saul, how might this have triggered fear or anger within him?
Read Psalm 3. What was the context of this psalm? What emotions was David experiencing?
What bad advice did Ahithophel give Absalom in 2 Samuel 16:20-23? Later, when Absalom took Hushai’s advice instead, how did Ahithophel react 2 Samuel 17:23)?
Who was ultimately responsible for killing Absalom (2 Samuel 18:9-14)? Despite Absalom’s rebellion, how did David react to the news of his death?
SESSION EIGHT: 2 SAMUEL 19-24
DAVID’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
David repeatedly mourned the death of someone who opposed him. How did Joab rebuke David’s emotions in 2 Samuel 19:5-8? How do you think David’s army felt towards his grief over the death of an enemy?
In 2 Samuel 20, who opposed David? Which tribe was loyal to David? Was Sheba successful in his plans?
When David avenged the Gibeonites, who did they choose to kill? Of these people, who did David spare (2 Samuel 21:1-9)?
In the war with the Philistines, how were the men David battled similar to Goliath (2 Samuel 21:18-22)?
Does David’s psalm of praise in 2 Samuel 22 remind you of any of the Psalms? What language did David use to describe God as his provider?
In 2 Samuel 22:24-25, David described himself as “blameless” and “righteous.” Based on David’s actions, do you think these are accurate descriptions? Or do these phrases highlight God’s forgiveness and mercy?
In David’s final speech, how did he give God the glory for his success? What does this reveal about his relationship with God (2 Samuel 23:1-7)?
David took a census, which is often a sign of preparing for war. Why do you think this angered God? How did David repent?
Way to go! You finished the books of 1 + 2 Samuel!
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Keep going — the story continues in 1 + 2 Kings!