1 Samuel 21: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Samuel 21 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

David arrives at Nob to speak with Ahimelech the priest, who trembles at David's lone presence and questions him (vv. 1-2). David requests five loaves of bread or whatever is available.

Key verse

“David said to Ahimelech, “Isn’t there here under your hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.”
1 Samuel 21:8 (WEB)

Outline

1 Samuel 21:1–2 David's Arrival at Nob
1 Samuel 21:3–6 Request for Bread and Weapons
1 Samuel 21:7–9 Doeg the Edomite
1 Samuel 21:10–12 David Flees to Gath
1 Samuel 21:13–15 David Pretends to be Insane

Discussion questions

In v2, what does David claim is the reason he is alone?
In v6, what specific type of bread does Ahimelech give to David?
David's request for bread, vv. 3-4: how do the priest's actions challenge the norms of the law?
In v10, why does David flee to Achish in Gath despite the risk?
When have you felt the need to pretend to be someone you are not, like David did in v13?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Samuel 21: Luke 6, Mark 2, Psalm 56.

Before next time: read 1 Samuel 22.