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1 Samuel 16 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
    1. Why is Samuel grieving in verse 1?
      1. What does the Lord instruct him to do?
    2. How many sons did Jesse have?
      1. Which one did the Lord choose?
      2. How is he described?
      3. What happens to him after he is anointed?
  2. Read 1 Samuel 16:14-23
    1. What happens to Saul in verse 14?
    2. What is the solution given by his servants?
    3. How is David described in these verses?
  3. What is one question that you'd like to have answered about this text?

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. What is to be commended about Samuel's grief? What is worth grieving in the current state of Israel?
    1. [Samuel is grieving over the spiritual disaster of Saul's life and over the welfare of God's people because of it. ]
  2. Why do you think the people at Bethlehem were afraid of Samuel?
  3. When Samuel arrives, he sees Eliab and thinks that he must be the new king. What do you think he saw in Eliab?
    1. Remember back to the description of Saul in 1 Samuel 9:2.
    2. How does the Lord correct Samuel?
  4. What do you think it means to look at the heart? (1 Sam 16:7)
    1. Does this mean God opposes good looks? [see verse 12. appearance neither qualifies nor disqualifies]
    2. How is the Lord's knowledge of the heart similar to Jesus' knowledge of the heart in John 2:25? What does this say about Jesus?
  5. 1 Sam 16:14 is the only time in the Old Testamant that we are told specifically that God's Spirit has left someone. In its place comes a tormenting, harmful spirit.
    1. Does this seem like a spiritual issue that Saul is facing?
    2. Why do you think he turns to therapy rather than to God for help?
  6. Why is it ironic that Saul chooses David to obtain relief?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Even when Saul is rejected, and people like Samuel are mourning over the state of affairs, the true King never loses control of his kingdom.
    1. How does this apply in the context of the present world? Your local church? Your family? Your personal life?
  2. The Lord sees not as man sees... (1 Sam 16:7)
    1. Do we tend to look at the heart rather than outward appearance when we select elders, deacons, or members of our church?
    2. If you are single, what would it look like to seek your future spouse by prioritizing what the Lord looks at?
  3. Are there any other ways we can apply this text to our lives?
  4. Pray in light of this passage and any applications you've made. [Perhaps for boldness to speak and share Gods word.]
  5. Sing Holy Spirit to God and to one another.
Some of the questions from this study were developed from the "ESV Knowing the Bible Study" based on 1 Samuel as well as "1 Samuel" by Dale Ralph Davis.

1 Samuel 16 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
    1. Why is Samuel grieving in verse 1?
      1. What does the Lord instruct him to do?
    2. How many sons did Jesse have?
      1. Which one did the Lord choose?
      2. How is he described?
      3. What happens to him after he is anointed?
  2. Read 1 Samuel 16:14-23
    1. What happens to Saul in verse 14?
    2. What is the solution given by his servants?
    3. How is David described in these verses?
  3. What is one question that you'd like to have answered about this text?

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. What is to be commended about Samuel's grief? What is worth grieving in the current state of Israel?
    1. [Samuel is grieving over the spiritual disaster of Saul's life and over the welfare of God's people because of it. ]
  2. Why do you think the people at Bethlehem were afraid of Samuel?
  3. When Samuel arrives, he sees Eliab and thinks that he must be the new king. What do you think he saw in Eliab?
    1. Remember back to the description of Saul in 1 Samuel 9:2.
    2. How does the Lord correct Samuel?
  4. What do you think it means to look at the heart? (1 Sam 16:7)
    1. Does this mean God opposes good looks? [see verse 12. appearance neither qualifies nor disqualifies]
    2. How is the Lord's knowledge of the heart similar to Jesus' knowledge of the heart in John 2:25? What does this say about Jesus?
  5. 1 Sam 16:14 is the only time in the Old Testamant that we are told specifically that God's Spirit has left someone. In its place comes a tormenting, harmful spirit.
    1. Does this seem like a spiritual issue that Saul is facing?
    2. Why do you think he turns to therapy rather than to God for help?
  6. Why is it ironic that Saul chooses David to obtain relief?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Even when Saul is rejected, and people like Samuel are mourning over the state of affairs, the true King never loses control of his kingdom.
    1. How does this apply in the context of the present world? Your local church? Your family? Your personal life?
  2. The Lord sees not as man sees... (1 Sam 16:7)
    1. Do we tend to look at the heart rather than outward appearance when we select elders, deacons, or members of our church?
    2. If you are single, what would it look like to seek your future spouse by prioritizing what the Lord looks at?
  3. Are there any other ways we can apply this text to our lives?
  4. Pray in light of this passage and any applications you've made. [Perhaps for boldness to speak and share Gods word.]
  5. Sing Holy Spirit to God and to one another.
Some of the questions from this study were developed from the "ESV Knowing the Bible Study" based on 1 Samuel as well as "1 Samuel" by Dale Ralph Davis.

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