Saul Can't Catch a Break With the Slippery Shepherd

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting October 10 to study 1 Samuel 19.  This is a fun chapter.  There are reversals, fun mistakes, deceit, intrigue, mysticism, and Samuel makes a guest appearance.

Read through the chapter several times.  It will be helpful to read ahead, if you can, through the rest of the book (Saul's death).  Read the chapter in as many different versions as you have (a King James Version might be helpful).  As you read, jot down questions and observations.  There are odd cultural quirks, social questions, and just figuring out who is doing what brings up questions.  Read altogether, it's a really entertaining story.  The details are fairly entertaining as well.

After you read through a few times, read through again with the questions below:

• Saul makes known his desire to put David to death (finally).  What does Jonathan's response tell you about how the people around Saul view this desire?
• Jonathan makes a plea for David, and it seems to be effective.  Why do you think it is that while he raves under the influence of the evil spirit from God that he gets angry with David?  Why does that seem odd?
• Now Saul's daughter helps David escape.  Now even those not in the 'king's court' support David.  So what does that tell you about how Saul's attempts to kill David are received or considered?
• Michal puts an idol in the bed to look like David.  Look up the word used in a Strong's Concordance or on "Blue Letter Bible" Website (follow the link at 'idol').  The Hebrew word is 'teraphim', a plural reference, but it's not altogether easy to know to what it refers.  There are articles at this link on the Blue Letter Bible website you can use to read about it.
• After reading the articles and reference, does David worship idols?  Does Saul's daughter?  And therefore does Saul?
• Why do you think that when he learns David is sick, Saul wants him brought to him to kill?
• Why would David go to Samuel when he escapes?
• Why is it so easy for Saul to learn about where David goes?
• How is it that the messengers from Saul all prophesy?  Considering the lessons on the Holy Spirit being given the past Sundays, what do you think this means?
• Finally Saul goes himself, but why send three sets of messengers first?  Why might Saul be hesitant to go himself?
• He prophesies (like before in 1 Samuel 10:10-11), but he goes further.  Why would the prophesying affect Saul so much more intensely?
• Besides keeping Saul occupied, what help does Samuel seem to provide David?  

That should be enough to keep us occupied for an hour.  Be sure to read ahead to gain some sort of context for all these events.  It will help you understand this small piece to fit it into the larger story.  Don't forget to bring your questions and observations.