Late Night Visitors

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 27 to study 1 Samuel 26.  This is very similar to the account in chapter 24, but the differences are important.  This account seems to be more pieced together.  I'm sure lots of theories exist about how it's merely another version of chapter 24, or about how this one is evidence of how accounts of David were more fragmentary legends than actual fact. 

Big deal. Let them theorize.  The only truly verifiable fact is that this account not only made it into versions of 1 Samuel early on, but that it also acquired very few very minor differences between manuscript families. So, while it, like so many we have studied, are peculiar, it has more support as a historical event than many other less ancient cultures.

So, like always, read the chapter several times.  In this one, pay particular attention to things that seem repetitious.  Also pay close attention to any margin notes your particular translation may have.  The repetitious parts may have some significance, but even if not significant, can signal where different versions of the account were pieced together.  If you step back, you can sometimes tell in such places how various accounts were actually amazingly harmonious in their details. 

Jot down questions and observations you make as you read through the chapter.  It may be helpful to look back over chapter 24 for a reminder of details there.  After you've been through the chapter a few times on your own, look back over it with the questions below:

• The people of Ziph come again to Saul.  Why do you think they keep doing this with David?
• So, how do you think David is able to move about and see so clearly without being seen?  It's the desert, it's hard to hide much of anything...or is it?
• David goes out to see for himself, and takes two with him.  Abishai is the son of Zeruiah.  Look up Zeruiah on the Blue Letter Bible website.  There are interesting ideas of what her name means, but why do you think David refers to Abishai in terms of his mom?  He always refers to the three men that way, so it's important, but we don't really know why.
• What is expected but missing as David and Abishai sneak into the camp?
• Who is with Saul here but was missing in chapter 24?  Why do you think he came this time?
• Again, David and his men are able to talk where you would think it would be unwise.  Why do you think that is?  And doesn't it make Abishai's point stronger?
• David restrains Abishai, takes Saul's spear and water jug, and leaves.  What do you think might be important about the 'spear'?
• Who takes the spear and jug?
• On their way out, we're told how they're able to get away with it.  Why do you think God wants David to do this?
• David goes a good distance and calls out to wake the army.  Why do you think he calls out to Abner specifically?
• Read what he says to Abner carefully, possibly from several translations.  His reasoning seems somewhat convoluted, but the essence is clear.  What does he claim needs to be done to Abner?
• As David speaks to Saul, what details are similar to chapter 24?  What details are different?
• David gives the spear back to Saul, and then continues to speak.  With the breaks in the dialogue sometimes you can spot where 'splices' were made to various accounts.  But what is the consistent theme throughout them all?

That should keep us busy for an hour or so.  Be sure to bring your own questions and observations.  See you Thursday!

Who Let's Their Enemy Go Free?

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 13 to study 1 Samuel 24.  This is one of the most popular stories of David being pursued by Saul.  There is one more of these, but this one, of all the other stories of David, stands out in people's minds.  It also makes it into lots of children's books, but Saul is usually 'napping' (I suppose 'pooping' would detract from the point of the story with most children).

Read through this fairly short chapter several times.  Think through the setting, to the extent that it's described.  This region is made up of limestone cliffs, narrow winding 'wadis' or water trails through the cliffs, and caves of all sizes and shapes.  No one really knows where the cave in this story is, or which one of the many it could be.  All that is known is the general lay of the land around En-Gedi.  This link will take you to the Israel tourist web page for Engedi.  It's interesting reading.  This link will take you to some better pictures of the current location in Israel.

Read through the chapter several times looking for those things that seem odd, either aren't explained, or have an odd explanation.  There are plenty of things to ponder, so make notes, write down your questions, and bring them with you Thursday.  You may find reading the preceding chapter, and the one that follows very helpful.  As I mentioned last week, I have a favorite explanation of what motivates David to do this, but it's only one, and not necessarily the most popular one; and it's not original with me at all.

After you've read through the chapter a few times yourself and made your own notes and questions, read through again with these questions:

• The literal description of Saul's choice of men was 'young men'.  Why do you think that would make sense in Saul's choice?
• En-Gedi means 'spring of the mountain goats', but Saul looks among the 'crags of the mountain goats'.  Why do you think he would look there rather than the 'spring'?
• The description here is of 'sheep pens' on the road.  The idea being that there is so little room on the path/road that the sheep pens are right along or on it, impeding traffic perhaps if carts, horses, or donkey's are used.  What seems odd about the the sheep pens and this cave in close proximity?
• The Hebrew euphemism used here is 'cover his feet' which refers to 'going number 2' (yes, we're sure, it's still used today).  What other options have you heard for Saul's 'activity' in the cave?
• What characteristic of caves might make the comment of David's men rather dangerous?  What does this say about qualities of this particular cave?
• David listens to his men, but only cuts off the 'wing' of Saul's robe.  Why do you think he only cuts off piece of the robe if he's been urged to take his life?
• After cutting off the piece of robe, David's 'heart caused him to be struck', a euphemism for 'a sudden attack of conscience'.  Why now, and why after only cutting off the piece of robe?  In cutting off the piece of robe, what has David done?
• What quality of both David and Saul can you think of that they have in common (read verse 6 carefully, David mentions one twice)?  What difference might some sort of quality like this make on his decision to let Saul live?
• What effect does David's words have on his men?
• David follows Saul out of the cave, and calls to him.  Why do you think he would bow when Saul turns around?  
• What about the 3,000 men with Saul, what do you think they think right now?
• David refers to some interesting things in his 'speech' to Saul.  Why do you think he blames Saul's pursuit on others rather than Saul?  Why do you think David would let them know his men are in the cave?  David shows the 'wing' of Saul's robe as proof he was close enough to kill him, but that's what he felt guilty about.  Why show it as proof of his innocence now?
• David calls on God to act as judge and 'avenger' between them.  Why do you think he phrases it that way?  Does Saul really seem to care about God at this point?  Do you think Saul can even tell what God says or does?
• What about his 'ancient proverb', why do you think David would bring this up?  What does it say about Saul, and in front of his men?  Does that help perhaps clarify what David is most concerned about in this?
• Saul makes a very powerful admission, and does so with weeping.  What do you think this means for the 3,000 young men following Saul?
• What do you think Saul's point is in verse 19?  What implication is he making?
• Saul confesses in essence what his son says in the previous chapter.  Do you think this just now dawns of Saul?  Why or why not?
• Saul requests something of David.  This really is fairly strange if you think about it.  Why do you think Saul would ask about his 'seed'?  What's the implication here?  When would this 'oath' be invoked?
• David agrees, and they go their separate ways.  Why do you think that David does not return with Saul?  Do you think Saul expects him to?

That should do for now.  You may find it helpful to go back over the chapter a few times again after these questions.  More questions will probably come up as you do.  It really has several layers to it.

See you Thursday!

The Danger of Obedience

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 6 to study 1 Samuel 23.  This is a fun chapter, has weirdness in it, close calls, and the tension of leadership.  It also is an excellent challenge about hearing God's voice over the voice of people around us.

Read through the chapter several times.  Look for things that sound odd or unexpected.  Write down your questions and observations.  You guys have been asking really good questions.  Keep them coming.  As we saw, sometimes these are answered in Scripture (as if even the people of that day were asking the same questions you are), and some aren't and we're left to wonder.  It's okay, wonder is good.  We can use it to our advantage as we explore Scripture.

After you've read through this chapter (perhaps re-read the one behind and then the one ahead), and you have some questions and observations of your own; go back through once more with these questions.

• David has made his family safe, he's back in the forests of Judah, and has 600 men around him.  Someone tells him that the Philistines are in Keilah.  See if you can find that on a map.  Why do you think the people would tell David rather than Saul?
• Why do you think David would hear about Keilah and then inquire of God to know what he should do?  Why isn't it obvious?  And what do you think the 'obvious' thing would be?
• David's men are afraid if Judah, but of what?  Why do you think they would be more afraid of the Philistines?
• David goes back to verify the word of God he heard the first time, and it's confirmed.  And they go, and are successful.  How do you think the men around David feel now?  Do you think they are still afraid, and if so, of what?  If not, why not?
• What do you find peculiar about Abiathar coming to David at Keilah?  Look back at 1 Samuel 22:20-23; wasn't Abiathar already with David?  What could the writer/editor be telling us with Abiathar's arrival?
• What do you think is the significance of David being in Keilah that makes Saul happy?
• This time David seeks God, the ephod is mentioned.  Why do you think that detail here combined with verse 6 is important?  What do you think that says about David's inquiries in the first 4 verses?
• The word used for 'men' of Keilah can be found in the Strong's Concordance under H1167.  After you look that up, look at H1168.  Now what do you think about the word used?
• Why do you think the people of Keilah would give their 'deliverer' into the hand of the king who did not come to save them, and only moved when he heard David was there, not Philistines?
• Why would God send David to save such people?  Why would God send David to where He knew David would be in danger?
• Look back at 1 Samuel 22:2, where do you think David came up with the other 200 men?  
• David leaves Keilah, and Saul hears about it.  So, between verse 13 and 14, did Saul go out after David or not?
• Saul can't find David, but his son Jonathan seems to have no problem.  Why do you think that might be?
• Consider what Jonathan says to David.  What is Jonathan going to do that his father will not?
• How many covenants between David and Jonathan does this make?
• The people of Ziph go to Saul about David.  Here again, why might they do that?  Does 1 Samuel 22:2 suggest a reason for you?
• Saul is very happy with the people of Ziph, they have had the 'pity' on him that his servants didn't.  What does it mean for you that Saul invokes the name of God in blessing these people.  How valid a blessing is this, even with God's name used?
• So Saul essentially uses the people of Ziph as 'scouts' for his forces to find David.  How effective are they?
• This isn't an easy passage to translate, but the gist of it is easily found in most any translation.  How close do you think Saul is getting to David?
• Now Saul hears of Philistines, now he pursues them.  Why do you think this is different from before when the Philistines attacked Keilah?
• Look up 'En-Gedi' in a Bible Dictionary, map, online or other resource.  What sort of place has David gone?

That should do it for this week.  Be sure to bring your questions and notes with you Thursday.  See you then!