Read through the chapter several times to get a sense of the flow of events. There is a part at the beginning that is sort of an annotation/interruption in the narrative, but it's not hard to pick up the flow of events immediately following. It was supposed to give more detail on the setting, but so far from the events, it's almost obscuring rather than clarifying. We have to trust that it meant something at the time of writing/compiling.
Jot down notes, questions, and insights into God's character, Saul's character, Jonathan's character and the people. Note relationships and imagine what it would have been like to be there and hear what was said, see what was done, and see who was doing it. After reading it through enough to get a good feel for it, and jotting down your insights, read it through again with these questions:
- As with the prior chapter, Jonathan starts the conflict. In verse 1, it doesn't sound bad, but through verse 5, the situation is shown to be really lopsided. What sort of character do you think it takes in a person to face such circumstances with just your "buddy"?
- Jonathan has a reason for his faith, that Yahweh isn't hindered by lack of numbers, he has history to demonstrate this (Gideon for example). What is your faith based in, what sort of personal history? And does that history support such acts of faith as Jonathan's?
- Jonathan chooses a sign to know if Yahweh has given the Philistines into his hand, but what does he use as his fall-back if the sign isn't given? What does it mean for his character? What do you think would have happened had the Philistines come down to him?
- Considering bravery and cowardice, so far in this account, the numerous Philistines versus the paltry few Israelites, who is courageous and who is cowardly? Why might that be surprising? What might support "caution" on the part of the Philistines?
- Read verse 15 in as many translations as possible. Look up "trembling"/"panic" in the Strong's Concordance. Then look up "trembled" in the Strong's Concordance. These words have the same root, and the first (noun) is used at the end of the verse. What do you imagine happening in the Philistine camp? What does this have to do with Jonathan?
- What do the "spies/lookouts" for Saul see, what do you think it looked like?
- Saul figures out who is missing, so what does he do immediately? There is debate about whether the "Ark of God" is referred to or whether it is the "Ephod" of the priest (long story). What would make the Ephod make more sense in light of verse 18?
- Regardless of how confusing verse 17 and 18 are (and they are confusing), Saul decides not to inquire of God through the priest. Why? Think in terms of character and circumstance and don't be too quick to judge harshly.
- What do Saul and the army find when they reach the battle? Where is Jonathan?
- Who are these "Hebrews", and where did they come from? The Greek version uses the term "slaves", how does that influence your understanding?
- Who else joins the battle? Where did they come from, and how did they know what was happening in Benjamin?
- Why would Saul swear an oath on the people to not eat? What "military" value would that have had?
- When Jonathan's eyes shine from eating the honey, someone tells him of his father's oath. How does Jonathan interpret his father's action? What does that tell you of Jonathan's character?
- So at some point the people fall on the plunder and begin sinning by eating blood. How do you imagine this scene? When Saul is told, he says they are being treacherous. What do you think about what happened and why? If you had to ascribe fault, how would you do it (not who, but how would you decide)?
- Saul's solution is to roll a big rock to use to slaughter the animals. It also says he built an altar, his first. Do you think the large stone and the altar are the same? What would that mean for what he did? What does that say about his character?
- Saul wants to continue to pursue the Philistines, but what does it mean that the priest contradicts him? Why would the priest do that?
- So what does God answer Saul? What does that mean? Saul decides what he thinks it means, so lots are cast, but why does Saul say the person offending will die?
- Prior to this the people say, "Do what is good in your eyes." But not here, what do you think they are thinking?
- Jonathan owns what he did, and whatever consequences. What do we learn about his character here?
- The people stand up for Jonathan against the king. If (or since) Yahweh brought victory through Jonathan, what can we guess is His opinion of what has gone on?
- The rest of the chapter summarizes Saul's reign and his family. What do you think of Saul's victories and success? What does that reveal of God's perspective of Saul?
- Saul's family will be important later, but a son is missing (2 Samuel 2:8), why might that be?
- Considering that "ab" means "father" in Hebrew, what do you think of Abner's name versus his father's name? Why would someone name the child that way?
- So Saul's reign is characterized by conflict with the Philistines, so what is his usual practice? Good idea or bad idea? Or is it a necessity?
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