Free group study handout
1 Samuel 12: Group Study Handout
How to use: read 1 Samuel 12 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Samuel delivers his farewell address to all Israel, stating that he has listened to their request for a king (vv. 1-5). He calls on Yahweh as a witness against him, asserting his integrity.
Key verse
“Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.”
1 Samuel 12:20 (WEB)
Outline
- 1 Samuel 12:1–5 Samuel's Farewell Address
- 1 Samuel 12:6–11 God's Faithfulness in History
- 1 Samuel 12:12–15 The Demand for a King
- 1 Samuel 12:16–18 A Sign of Divine Displeasure
- 1 Samuel 12:19–24 Encouragement Toward Repentance
- 1 Samuel 12:25 The Consequences of Evil
Discussion questions
- In v12, why do the Israelites say 'a king shall reign over us'?
- What does Samuel recall in v8 about the Israelites crying to Yahweh?
- Yahweh's hand is against the people in v15: what does this imply about their choices?
- Samuel's warning in v25 about consuming evil: how does this challenge their future?
- When have you faced a consequence for choosing 'vain things' in your life?
Go deeper
Passages that echo 1 Samuel 12: Hebrews 13, Joshua 24, 1 Samuel 8.
Before next time: read 1 Samuel 13.