An Odd King and His Baggage

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting July 25 to study 1 Samuel 10.  This is an interesting chapter.  It has some elements in it that are remarkable, and some that reveal unexpected character.

Read the chapter through several times.  There are plenty of places that should generate questions.  Be sure to use a couple of translations if you have them.  Jot down questions about events that strike you as strange or unexpected.  Look up what you can about any of them.

After reading through and making a list of your questions, review the chapter again using the questions below:

• Samuel gives three signs to affirm his anointing of Saul, meetings along the road; how might each of them affirm Samuel's selection of Saul as king?
• What significance might there be to the places these meetings take place?
• Read the article at this link.  In paragraph 4, Saul is mentioned in his "prophetic" experience here.  But the comment is that he is "entirely estranged" from God.  Why would you agree or disagree with this assessment?
• What are the prophets from the "Hill of God" doing as they come down the "hill"?  What do you imagine it to look and sound like?
• Look at verse 6 in a few translations.  What does that mean for Saul?
• If you were told that you could do anything because God was with you, what would you do?
• The places don't match (Gilgal and Mizpah), why might that be?
• When does the change referred to in verse 6 happen to Saul?  What might be significant about the timing?
• Of the three signs, only 1 is described actually happening.  What might be the significance of this one being described?
• Saul ends up on the high place of worship once he's done prophesying.  His uncle asks him about what he's been doing or what has been happening to him.  Why might Saul's answers not completely answer his uncle's curiosity?
• What do you think about the people's reaction to Samuel's description of why they're there?  Why do you think no one thinks twice about selecting a king?
• Why do you think Saul is scarce now?  What might his reluctance reveal about him?
• What would you call the quick inquiry of God to find Saul's hiding place?
• Who writes the ordinances of the king, and where do they go?  Why might that not have been a good idea?
• Read verse 26 in as many translations as you can.  What is different about the description of the young men?  Why might that be so different?
• Think about verse 27, besides the worthless men, what else is revealed here that wasn't before?
• What does Saul's silence say about his character at this point?

These questions will hopefully get you thinking about the chapter a little differently.  There aren't wrong answers, the point is having an answer for yourself, not guessing mine.  Hopefully, this is where we can see God piecing together views of His character that we all need to better understand Him. 

A King Found Seeking Donkeys

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting July 18 to study 1 Samuel 9.  This chapter is clearly part of a larger narrative, and ends rather abruptly.  It should still give us plenty to chew on for the coming week.

Read through the chapter several times.  You may find it helpful to read on ahead through the next two as well since they complete the establishment of Israel's first king.  As you go through chapter 9, be thinking of the themes that came up in the previous chapter; "being like the other nations", "a king to judge us", "someone to fight our battles", and so on.  Also look for things that seem odd elements to include in the narrative, ask why the editor/author included them.  Jot down your observations and questions and bring them to the study.

After reading through the chapter a few times, read through again using these questions:

• Why do you think the Tribe of Benjamin is significant here?
• Why do you think valor is an important element of Saul's family here?
• What might be the author/editor's point in the comment about Saul?
• Why would the author/editor include such details about Saul's quest?
• Where is Shalishah, Shaalim, and Zuph on a map? (see below - double-click to enlarge it)
• How about "Baal-Shalishah", "Shaalbim", and "Ziph", could these be the places?
• If Samuel lives in Ramah, why would the author/editor provide the details about him living in Zuph?
• What can you deduce from the goings on in Zuph that tell you what Samuel does on his "circuit"?
• Since Zuph isn't listed on his circuit, what are some possible explanations of his being there?
• Look at this article on the topic of seers and prophets.  What do you see as the major differences between the two? 
•  Samuel's comments to Saul indicate prior knowledge from God (and that is plainly stated), so why would Samuel proceed the way he does, why not just come out and  say it?
• What do you think is going on in Saul's mind throughout all this?  When do you think he finally "calms down" a bit and goes with the circumstances?  What does that tell you about him?
• He and Samuel spend a lot of time together that day.  Who do you think did most of the talking?
• The chapter ends right as something important is about to happen.  Why here?

That will do for now.  If you read ahead, you know something more about Saul, and while we'll cover that later, it does help inform you about his character here.  Be sure to jot down your own questions and observations and bring them to the study.