Free group study handout
1 Samuel 24: Group Study Handout
How to use: read 1 Samuel 24 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Saul returns from pursuing the Philistines and learns that David is in the wilderness of En Gedi (vv. 1-2). He takes three thousand men to find David.
Key verse
“He said to his men, “Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is Yahweh’s anointed.”
1 Samuel 24:6 (WEB)
Outline
- 1 Samuel 24:1–2 Saul Pursues David
- 1 Samuel 24:3–4 Saul Enters the Cave
- 1 Samuel 24:5–7 David's Restraint
- 1 Samuel 24:8–11 David Confronts Saul
- 1 Samuel 24:12–15 David Appeals to Yahweh
- 1 Samuel 24:16–19 Saul's Realization
- 1 Samuel 24:20–22 Saul's Request
Discussion questions
- In v4, what do David’s men believe about this moment with Saul?
- What does David do to Saul in v4 that causes him distress?
- Saul's statement in v17: why does he call David 'more righteous' than himself?
- In v19, what does Saul imply about common practices when dealing with enemies?
- When have you faced a decision like David’s not to harm an enemy?
Go deeper
Passages that echo 1 Samuel 24: 1 Samuel 26, 1 Samuel 23, 1 Samuel 25.
Before next time: read 1 Samuel 25.