1 Samuel 7: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Samuel 7 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The men of Kiriath Jearim took Yahweh’s ark to Abinadab’s house and consecrated Eleazar to keep it (vv. 1-2). Samuel called the people to return to Yahweh with all their hearts.

Key verse

“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”
1 Samuel 7:12 (WEB)

Outline

1 Samuel 7:1–2 The Ark's Arrival in Kiriath Jearim
1 Samuel 7:3–4 Call to Repentance
1 Samuel 7:5–6 Gathering at Mizpah
1 Samuel 7:7–8 Fear of the Philistines
1 Samuel 7:9–10 Samuel's Sacrifice and Prayer
1 Samuel 7:11–12 Victory over the Philistines
1 Samuel 7:13–17 Samuel's Leadership and Judging

Discussion questions

In v2, why do all the house of Israel lament after Yahweh?
What does Samuel ask the children of Israel to put away in v3?
Samuel's prayer in vv. 9-10: how does Yahweh's response shape the outcome of the battle?
The stone named Ebenezer in v12: what does it signify about Israel's history with God?
When has fasting or a communal gathering helped you confront a difficult situation?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Samuel 7: Luke 4, Matthew 4, Deuteronomy 13.

Before next time: read 1 Samuel 8.