Tuesday 16 January

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Where does the Lord send Samuel? What is Samuel afraid of? What cover story is he to use? Why are the people of Bethlehem afraid to see Samuel coming? How does the Lord know which person is to be king? Who gets anointed? How does David receive God's power?

16:14-23
What happens to Saul when the Spirit of the Lord leaves him? How do his attendants propose to treat him? What do they tell him about David? What role does David come to play in Saul's court?

17:1-24
Who comes from the Philistine army to challenge the Israelites? How tall is he? What challenge does he offer to Israel? Which of Jesse's sons have gone to war with Saul? What is David doing at this point? Why does Jesse send David to his brothers? What happens while David is at the line?

17:25-37
What three things has Saul promised to anyone who kills Goliath? How does David react to hearing Goliath's challenge? How does Eliab react to David's being there? What does he offer to do? Why doesn't Saul want him to fight Goliath? What arguments does does David use against Saul's objections?

17:38-58
Why doesn't David wear the armour and weapons he is given? What does he take into battle? How does Goliath react to seeing David? How does David say he is coming to battle differently than Goliath? What does he say his victory will prove? What does he do to the fallen Philistine? How do the Philistines react? What does David do with the head? What does he do with the weapons? What does Saul want to know about David?

18:1-16
What relationship does David form within Saul's family? Who takes the initiative? How does David's role change within Saul's court? What role does he play in the army? How do the women greet Saul and David when they come home from battle? How does Saul react to this? What happens to his relationship to David? What happens the next day?

18:17-30
Who does Saul propose to give to David for a wife? Why does he want him to fight bravely? Why doesn't David marry her? Who loves him? What price does Saul want for his daughter? Why? What price does David pay? How does Saul react to the marriage?

Tuesday 9 January

1 Samuel 13:23-14:14
Where do Jonathan and his armour bearer go? Who is Jonathan? What is the terrain like where he encounters the Philistines? What test does Jonathan use to determine whether to attack the outpost? How do the Philistines react to seeing the two? What happens when they climb up? How many men do they kill?

14:15-23
What happens as a result of Jonathan's surprise attack? Why? Why does Saul muster the troops? What does he do next? Who is Ahijah? What role does he play in the Saul stories? Why does Saul tell him to withdraw his hand? What happens when Saul attacks? Who is responsible for the victory that day?

14:24-30
What oath does Saul swear before going into battle? Why? What effect does this have on the troops? What do the men find when they go into the woods? Why does Jonathan eat? How does he respond when told about his father's oath?

14:31-52
What do the men do after victory in battle? What happens when Saul hears of it? What does Ahijah want to do before going further into battle? What response does Saul get? What oath does he swear now? What does he do next? Who comes to Jonathan's rescue?

15:1-9
Who does God want Saul to attack? Why? What special instructions does he give? What group does Saul send away? Why? Does he follow God's instructions?

15:10-26
Why is the Lord upset by these developments? Where has Saul gone? Why? How does Saul greet Samuel? Why did Saul not obey God? What does Samuel say is more important than sacrifice? What is the result of Saul's rejection of God? How does he react to this news?

15:27-35
How does Samuel use the torn cloak for prophecy? Why does Samuel go back with Saul? Where does each man go after the death of Agag?