• Where is Elkanah from? How many wives does he have?  What is the difference between these two wives?  Where did they travel every year to worship and sacrifice?  Who were the priests at the time? 

• How did Elkanah treat his wives on the day that he sacrificed?  Why?  Who is Hannah’s rival?  How does she respond to her rival’s taunts?  Is there a social stigma today for women unable to conceive? 

• Why would Elkanah feel the need to ask Hannah why she is weeping?  Where does she go after he talks with her?  What vow does she make while she is praying to The LORD? Why is it easier to make a promise than to actually fulfill the promise? 

• Who confronts Hannah while she is praying? What does he accuse her of? When Hannah defends herself, what does Eli tell her? Where does she go after that? 

• Before the family heads back home, what do they do? What happens when Elkanah and Hannah are back home? 

• Why would Hannah not want to go back to the next year to make the sacrifice? When does she plan to deliver Samuel to the LORD?  Why is it important that the child be weaned before being sent off? 

• What does Hannah do after she weans Samuel?  What else does she take along with her? What was the point of bringing these along?  Who does she bring the child to?  

• 8.     What does Hannah say when she delivers the child? Why would she say she is lending the boy to the LORD as long as he lives even though she had earlier made a vow stating he would be given to the LORD?  What does Hannah do after she gives Samuel over?  Do we worship when we sacrifice or do we count sacrifice as a burden? 

• Hannah delivers Samuel to the tabernacle in Shiloh. How does she respond to keeping her promise to The LORD? What can we tell about her faith in her prayer? How does she feel about God? What is the overall theme to her prayer? 

• What reversals of fortune do we see in her prayer? What does the LORD do with the downtrodden and poor? What does He do with the rich? What happens to His adversaries? What part of her prayer foreshadows the coming of the Messiah? 

• How does Samuel’s life change when he is handed over to Eli? What is he doing? 

• How are Eli’s sons described? How were they taking their portion of an offered sacrifice? How were they supposed to determine their portion? What do they do with the fat of the sacrifice? 

• How often does Hannah visit Samuel? What does she make him every year? What blessing does Eli give Elkanah and his wife? How many more children does Hannah conceive? 

• What other abhorrent behavior are Eli’s sons engaged in? How does Eli find out about their behavior? Who are they guilty of sinning against? Why would they not listen to Eli’s warnings? 

• Samuel witnesses the terrible behavior of Eli’s sons. What prevents him from acting like Phinehas and Hophni? 

• Who comes to confront Eli about his son’s behavior? What is pronounced against Eli and his house? What will happen to them when they are cut off? What will happen to those that are not cut off? 

• 9.     What will happen to Phinehas and Hophni? Who will be raised up in their place?

• What is Samuel doing in the opening verse of 1 Samuel 3? Who is with him? What was rare in these days? Why would there be silence and no frequent vision from the LORD? 

• Why would Eli be laying down? What do we learn about his physical condition? Where is Samuel lying down? Where is the ark located? What is the lamp of God? How long did it burn each day? 

• Who called to Samuel? Why would he think it is Eli that is calling him? How many times is Samuel called before Eli figures out what is going on? Why would it take Eli so long to figure it out? Why would it take Samuel so long to figure it out? 

• What does Eli tell Samuel to do when he hears the voice again? How is Samuel to describe himself? How many times does the LORD say Samuel’s name after the third calling? Why is that significant? 

• What does God say will happen to the people that hear His message? Why is the LORD against Eli? How long will Eli be punished? Who is guilty of blaspheming? Why is Eli guilty? As far as Eli and his house are concerned, what will never be atoned for? Is this fair? 

• How long does Samuel wait to tell Eli about his vision? Why would he be hesitant to speak to Eli? What does Eli threaten Samuel if he fails to disclose what God had told him?  Do you think Eli was surprised at what he was told? Why or why not? How does Eli respond to this proclamation? 

• Why would Eli be okay with the pronounced judgment even though it concerns him? Can we relate to how he feels in this instance? 

• 8.     What does it mean to not let any of his words fall to the ground? Who recognizes Samuel as a prophet of the LORD? Who tells them? Where does God appear again? How does this contrast with what we read at the beginning of the chapter? Are there times in our lives where God seems to be silent for long stretches? 

• How far does the word of Samuel travel? Is that what emboldens the Israelites? Who do they rise up against to battle? Where do they gather for battle? 

• Why are the Israelites so confident they will win? Who wins the fight? How many are killed? What do the elders say? Who do they blame on the defeat? What new plan do they concoct to ensure a future victory?

• How is the ark described? Who is with the ark when it is brought from Shiloh? Why is Samuel not listed as present? How do the Israelites respond when the ark is brought to the camp? 

• How do the Philistines respond when they hear the shouts of the Israelites? Why are they afraid? What do they think the Israelites will do to them? Who wins the second battle? What is taken? Who dies? 

• Who comes to tell Eli about the defeat? What does he do with his clothes? Where was Eli sitting? Why is Eli’s heart trembling? Who cries out when the man gives the news? How old was Eli when this happened? 

• What news does the man deliver Eli? What happens when Eli finds out about the ark? Why? What causes his death? How long had he judged Israel? 

• What happens with Phinehas’s wife when she hears about the death of her husband? What do the women that are attending to her tell her? Why should she not be afraid? How does Phinehas’s wife respond when she hears the news of her son? Why? 

• Why does she name the child Ichabod? 

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• After the issues in Beth-shemesh, where does the ark of the covenant wind up? Who is consecrated to take care of the ark? Why? How long is the ark there? Even though the ark is back in Jewish territory, what is the mood of the Israelites? Why?

• What does Samuel tell the Israelites to do? What does that entail? Who are they to serve? How did paganism become such a problem in the Israelite territories? Who will God deliver them from if they will turn their hearts back to Him? 

• Where does Samuel tell Israel to gather? What will he do there? What do they do? What happens when the Philistines find out the Israelites are gathered? How do the Israelites respond? 

• What does Samuel offer as a burnt offering? How does the LORD respond? What happens when the Philistines draw near to attack? How far do the Israelites chase the Philistines down? 

• What does Samuel do when the Philistines are defeated? What happens to the cities the Philistines had captured? 

• Who becomes judge over Israel when Samuel is old? What do we know about Joel and Abijah? How do the elders of Israel respond to their behavior? What do they demand? Why? 

• How does Samuel respond? What does the LORD say in His response to Samuel’s prayer? Why would Samuel think the people had rejected him? What does God tell Samuel to do? 

• What warning does Samuel give the Israelites? How do they respond to the warning? Why? What benefits do they think they will get?

• What does Samuel do to Saul’s head? Why was this done in private? What does Samuel predict will happen when Saul heads to Rachel’s tomb? Why are people awed when someone predicts the future with accuracy? 

• Where are the donkeys that Saul is looking for? What is Saul’s father concerned about now? When Saul heads to Tabor who will he find? What are they carrying? Why? What is he supposed to accept from them? 

• Who will Saul meet when he goes to the Philistine Garrison? What will rush on him when he is there? What will Saul be able to do when he receives this gift? Where is Saul supposed to wait for Samuel? How long is he supposed to wait? Why? 

• What does it mean to receive a new heart? Why would Saul have a new heart after this experience? What do the people ask when they hear Saul prophesy? Where does Saul go when he is done prophesying? 

• What does Saul’s uncle ask him? What does Saul say he was doing? What does Samuel not tell his uncle? Why? 

• Where does Samuel gather the people? What does he remind the people of? Why is this reminder important? Why have they rejected God despite His provision for the people? 

• How do they determine what tribe and clan the king will come out of? Why was this important to do in front of the tribes considering Samuel had already anointed Saul? Where was Saul hiding? 

• What does Samuel say about Saul? What does he explain to the people about the role of the king? What does he write in a book for Saul? How are the people described that doubt Saul’s abilities? Why were they silent when the Israelites were initially asking for a king? 

• Why would the people of Jabesh Gilead want a treaty with Nahash? What was normally formed a treaty? What does Nahash demand as a sign for a treaty? Why? What do the elders of Jabesh request? 

• How does Saul find out what happened? What happens when Saul finds out about Nahash? What does Saul do to the oxen? Why? How do the people respond? 

• How many people muster at Bezek? What message are messengers given to relay to the men of Jabesh-gilead? Why are they so confident? How quick is the battle?

• What do the people want to do with the troublemakers from chapter 10? What is Saul’s response? Where does Samuel say they will renew the kingdom? What do they do when they arrive? 

• Why would Samuel give a farewell address now? What questions does he ask the people? How do they respond? 

• What does Samuel recount in chapter 12 verses 7-11? Why is this important for them to remember? 

• What will happen for the people if they fear the LORD and serve Him? What will happen if the people and the king follow the LORD? What happens if the people do not follow the LORD? 

• Why does Samuel call down thunder and rain? Why would the people be so afraid? What do they ask Samuel to do when the thunder and rain comes? 

• Why would Samuel tell them not to be afraid despite the evil they have done? What does he encourage them to do? What does Samuel mean by “empty things” or “worthless things”? What makes the worthless? 

• Why will the LORD not forsake them despite their tendency to abandon Him? Why would Samuel consider it sinful to stop praying for them and teaching them the right way? 

• How old does the text say Saul was when he began reigning? How long does Saul wait before he gathers the men of Israel? How many were assembled? Where do these men come from? 

• Who should Saul have consulted before gathering the men? Why does he fail to do this?

• Who is Jonathan? What did he do at the garrison of the Philistines at Geba? What does Saul announce throughout the land? Why?

• How many Philistines muster to fight against Israel? Where do they set up camp? How do the fighting men of Israel react when they see how many Philistines have gathered? Where is Saul when the Philistines are gathering? 

• How long does Saul wait for Samuel? Who had previously appointed that time? What do the people do when they see Samuel is delayed? What does Saul tell them to do? 

• Who is authorized to offer the burnt offering? What does Saul do when Samuel arrives? What does Samuel ask? What is Saul’s excuse for violating God’s command? Why would he think this would honor God? 

• How does Samuel answer Saul? What would have happened if Saul had kept God’s command? What will happen as a result of Saul’s disobedience? Who has the LORD been seeking? Why? 
• How many men are present with Saul? Where do Saul and Jonathan stay? How many raiding companies are sent by the Philistines?

• Why do the Israelite fighting forces have no swords or spears? What do they take to fight? Where do they go to sharpen their tools?

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• What does Jonathan tell his armor bearer? What does this tell us about his faith in God? Why was his faith stronger than Saul’s?
• Who are the “uncircumcised” he is referring to? What is the plan of attack? Why is this plan foolish from a tactical standpoint? How does Jonathan know they will have victory over the garrison? 

• What is the response of the Philistines when Jonathan presents himself? Why were the Philistines unconcerned about their presence? What happens when Jonathan and his armor bearer make it to the Philistines? 

• What happens after the first strike? What does Saul do when his watchmen see the great panic? Why would he feel emboldened to attack the Philistines now? What does God do that day for the Hebrews? 

• What oath does Saul make? Why? What does Jonathan do when he sees the honey dripping? Why would he violate Saul’s oath? Why was Jonathan not told of the oath until after he violated it? 

• As the battle rages on and the warriors become hungry, what do they do? What is Saul told about their behavior? How does Saul respond?

• What does Saul ask God? When he gets no response, what does he do? Who is to blame for God not answering Saul? What does Saul tell Jonathan when he finds out Jonathan violated his oath? How do the people respond?

•   Who does Saul fight during his kingship? What does he do with any strong man he finds? 

• By whose authority does Samuel charge Saul? Why? What has the LORD witnessed that is driving His vengeance? What is Saul commanded to do? How would you feel if you were given a task like this? 

• Who does Saul summon? How many people mustered? Why is Judah listed separately? What does Saul say to the Kenites? Why does he want to spare them? What happens to the Amalekites? 

• What does Saul do with the king of the Amalekites? What does he do with the choice sheep? Why wouldn’t he follow God’s commands regarding the spoils of war? What does he do with the spoils that are of no value? 

• How does God feel about Saul? Does God change His mind? Why or why not? Why is God upset with Saul? How does Samuel respond? Where does Samuel go the next day?

• What does Samuel learn about Saul? When Samuel finds Saul, how does Saul start the conversation? Why would he think he has done a good thing? Do we justify our actions even though they are wrong?

• What message does Samuel give Saul? Why would he state that Saul “once considered himself unimportant”? Why would Saul think that he had completed the mission God called him to? Who does he blame for taking the spoils?

• What does Samuel say about obedience? Why would God care so much about it? What is rebellion compared to? 

• How does Saul respond to the rebuke he received from Samuel? What grim news does Samuel give him? What does Samuel say about regret? What does Saul ask Samuel to do? 

•  How does Agag act when he is summoned before Samuel? What does Samuel do? When is the next time that Samuel will see Saul? 

• Why would Samuel grieve Saul? What does God tell Samuel to do? What does God say about this king He has chosen? How does Samuel respond to God’s command? What does God tell Samuel to bring with him? Why? 

• Where does Samuel go? How do the elders of this town respond? Why would they have this reaction? How does Samuel answer them? Who is consecrated for the sacrifice? 

• What is Samuel’s first impression of Eliab? What does God tell him? What should Samuel not rely on? What is the difference between how God sees things and how mankind sees things? Do we still look for those features in our leaders today? 

• How many of Jesse’s sons pass by Samuel? What does Samuel ask Jesse when none of them are chosen? How does Jesse respond? Were the boy’s duties really what prevented him from appearing before Samuel or was it something else?

• Jesse’s last son is presented to Samuel. How is the boy described? What does God command Samuel to do? What rushes on the boy when he is anointed? 

• What departs from Saul? What kind of spirit comes to Saul in its place? Who sends this spirit? How would Saul’s servants know that he was being tormented? What do they suggest to Saul? 

• What does Saul tell them to do? How does one servant respond? How is the boy described? What does Jesse do when he is commanded to send his son? What does he send with the boy? 

• What happens when the boy enters Saul’s service? What is David put in charge of? What word does Saul send to Jesse? What does David do when the bad spirit comes to Saul? What does this tell us about music and its ability to change our moods? 

• Where are the Philistines gathered for battle? Where do Saul and his army encamp to face their enemy? What is between the two armies? 

• Who is the Philistine champion? How tall is he? What does his armor look like? What does he ask the Israelites? What offer does he make? Why was there no willing Israelite to take him up on the challenge? Why would Saul and his men be so afraid? 

• How is Saul’s age described? What three sons followed Saul to battle? Where does David go? How long does the Philistine giant taunt the Israelites? How does David wind up at the battle line? What does he take with him? 

• Who does David leave the provisions with when he arrives? Where does he go after he leaves it? Who comes out to taunt the Israelites while David is on the battle line? What happens when the Israelites see the giant? What does David say? 

• How does David’s brother respond? What does he accuse David of? Why? How does David respond to this accusation? 

• How do David’s words make it to Saul? What does David say to Saul when he is summoned? Why would Saul dismiss David’s courage? How does David respond to the denial of his request? Who is David relying on for victory? Who has prepared him to fight the giant? 

• Saul has a change of heart. What does he equip David with? What does David say to this new outfit? Why? What does David take with him to fight the giant? Why does he take that many stones? Is he worried that he will not be successful? 

• What does the giant say when David comes out to battle? What is the significance of the threat to give David’s flesh over to the birds of the air and beasts of the field? How does David respond to the giant’s insults? 

• How does David defeat the giant? How does he cut off the giant’s head? What does David do with the head? What does he do with the armor? 

• What question does Saul ask of Abner when David defeats the giant? Why would he not know? 

• Who is Jonathan? What does he do after Saul is done speaking with David in chapter 17? Why would he commit himself like that? Think back to your best friend. How did you develop a deep friendship with him or her? What were some of his or her characteristics?

• What does Saul decide about David? What does Jonathan give David? Why? What does David do when he receives this equipment? Why was he so successful? 

• How do the women celebrate David’s victories? What do they say? How does Saul respond to this celebration of David and his successes? Why? Why do some people feel threatened by people that seem to always be successful? 

• What rushes on Saul the next day? Where is David? What does Saul do? How many times does David evade him? Why would he stick around after the first incident? Why is Saul afraid of David? Where does he send David? How does Saul feel about David’s success? 

• What does Saul offer David? Why would he make this offer? Why would David question this given the promise of Saul in chapter 17? Why does the offer fall through? 

• Who loves David? How does Saul feel about this? Why does he want to give her over to David as a wife? What does Saul’s servants tell David? 

• How does David respond to the message from Saul? Why would he have this hesitation? When David’s response reaches David, how does Saul respond? What does Saul want to happen to David? Why would David be happy about Saul’s direction? 

• How many Philistines does David kill? What does he do with them? What does Saul give David for this feat? Why does Saul become more afraid of David? 

• What happens every time David goes to battle with the Philistines? What happens with David’s reputation? What happens with Saul’s?