These two chapters add to the heightened suspense of the coming battle. God is demonstrating some very problematic behavior in 28, and in 29 we are robbed of seeing what might have happened with David in the Philistine camp. It's a very strange set of chapters. What we should be looking for is the work of God and His purpose revealed. That's not hard to find, the difficulty is the reason why He chooses to work in the particular ways he does. So, we'll both look for what He's doing, and explore options about why He uses the methods He does, and what that means for us.
Read both chapters several times. Hopefully you already have read at least 28 a few times. You are probably going to need to read it a few times just to get a sense of all the details involved. Then perhaps a few more to really analyze what's happening and what that means. You can read some commentaries, but just keep in mind that modern commentaries really do not like this chapter, and will usually take one of only two options. I plan on exploring the more dangerous and creepy options they don't.
Chapter 29 will be a bit easier, but try to imagine the setting, the people, the dialogue actually happening, and think about what you see. Still read through the chapter a few times, but this one is shorter and a lot easier to deal with.
After you've read these chapters a few times, then go back through with these questions:
Chapter 28
- Achish tells David that he will accompany the king into war. Read verse 2 in as many translations as you have. What do you think David means by his response to Achish?
- No one knows, the Scripture never tells us, but what do you think David planned to do in battle?
- What 'position' does Achish give to David? Why do you think Achish would do that? What do you think he thinks of David?
- This chapter repeats the statement about Samuel we already say in chapter 25. Why do you think this is an important enough element to repeat?
- The other element with which Samuel's death is combined is the comment that Saul had 'removed' those communing with the dead from the land. What do these two have in common?
- What sorts of things does Saul use to try to 'hear' from God? Why do you think God doesn't answer?
- Saul resorts to asking his servants about one of these 'ones communing with the dead'. How long does it take to fine one? What do you think that means for the 'effectiveness' of Saul's 'purge' of such people?
- Saul specifically asks for, and the woman in En-Dor is specifically referred to as a "Baal-Spiritist", and since baal can mean 'lord' or 'master', what do you think this means for who she is among 'spiritists'? What do you think may be some other options?
- If God will not answer, how wrong is Saul in seeking this option?
- Saul disguises himself and goes to the super-spirit-channel-surfer-chic. What is the first thing she says when they approach her for this 'gig'?
- What seems really odd about Saul's response to her hesitation?
- There is a bunch of conjecture about what made the woman scream, Samuel or the fact that Saul was the one asking her to do this. What do you think it means if she screamed when Samuel appeared?
- Since God forbids this sort of practice, what do you think it means that Samuel appears? Why, if it 'works' does God not what this sort of thing practiced?
- Read verse 13 in several translations (included the King James if you can find one). What does she see? Consider that in verse 14, the reference is 'singular', "What is his shape?" while 'gods' is a plural reference. Why do you think that might be a problem?
- What is so remarkable about what the woman describes that confirms to Saul it's Samuel?
- Why do you think Saul bows himself down when he realizes it's Samuel?
- Samuel speaks. Imagine this scene. What is happening? Where is the super-spirit-channel-surfer-chic while this is going on?
- What do you think of Saul's answer to Samuel about why he asked him to be brought up?
- Samuel does not seem helpful, at least not at first. What do you think of his response initially? How might that help us understand why God never answered in the other ways Saul tried first?
- Where will Saul and his sons be tomorrow? So, is Samuel in 'heaven' or 'hell'?
- Read 1 Samuel 11:1-7 and compare it to 28:20. What do you think it feels like to be Saul right now?
- The super-spirit-channel-surfer-chic makes a great hostess, serves veal, and makes bread. What do you think she's doing, and why?
- In verse 2, the technical title of the Philistine lords is 'Seren'; like 'Pharaoh' for the leader of Egypt. The Philistine language is gone, without example for us. So, if you look at the times this term is used, this is one of only two times it's used where Saul is involved. So, what does this mean for this particular battle?
- In verse three, the Philistine princes refer to David and his band as "Hebrews". Look back at 1 Samuel 13:21. Why might this reference be important here to explain their concern?
- What is Achish's assessment of David? Remember back to chapter 27, so how accurate is his assessment?
- The princes of the Philistines tell Achish to send David back home. What is their reasoning? What are they afraid David will do? What have they heard of David? This is one popular song.
- Achish goes to David, to tell him to return. Consider how he starts his 'speech'. Why do you think he arranges his speech that way?
- What is David's first response? What does that mean for Achish's manner of starting? What do you think is going on in this dialogue? Is it formalized negotiation, covenant dialogue, cultural, or just emotional heated dialogue?
- What do you think it means that Achish refers to the God of Israel in verse 6?
- Read verse 9 in as many translations as you can. The word used is "Elohim" which can be translated God, gods, supernatural being, or something of the like. How do you think Achish meant it, considering he's pagan, but also used God's name in verse 6?
- How much of a 'fight' do you think David puts up here? So do you think David is 'relieved', 'concerned', 'disappointed', or something else?
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