The Tragedy of Saul

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 27 to study 1 Samuel 31.  This is a short sad chapter.  Notice that this story ends without a 'silver lining'.  It's not the actual end to the overall story, but for Saul, it's the bitter end.  Let's keep our focus on Saul; hard as that will be.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Go ahead and read into 2 Samuel to get some sense of the scope of where this piece fits in the overall story, but we'll be focusing on chapter 31.  Jot down observations and questions and bring them with you Thursday.

After reading through a few times, read back through with the questions below:

• Why do you think the people fled so early on in the fight?
• The sons of Saul die and yet the Philistines take their time finding Saul.  How do you imagine this fight looking?
• The archers find Saul, but still the 'army' hasn't.  Why might that be?
• Saul tells his 'armor-bearer' to kill him, why doesn't he want to die fighting the Philistines?
• Saul kills himself, and then so does his armor-bearer.  How do you imagine this scene?  Why don't the Philistines find him before the next day?
• Where are the rest of the 'men of Israel'?  Look for Gilboa on a map, so why do those on the other side of the Jordan see Saul fall?
• The people fee the cities, and Philistines take them to live in.  What seems strange to you about this?
• Why treat the body of Saul like they did?  
• Why do the Philistines celebrate in their temples?
• Where is the city of Beth-Shan?  Why would the men of Jabesh Gilead risk so much to take Saul and his sons to bury them? (1 Samuel 11)  Why burn them first?
• Why do you think the 'Tamarisk Tree' is a significant place to bury Saul?
• What do you think Saul might have done differently to change the outcome of the battle?  At what point could he have recovered his relationship with God?

That should keep us busy for a bit.  We will also discuss what we'll do next.  See you Thursday!