Chapter Summary

Death of Saul and Jonathan.

Discussion Questions for 1 Samuel, Chapter 31

1. Do you think the sin of King Saul had any effect on the defeat of Israel by the Philistines in this chapter? Why or why not? How might the actions of a king impact God's treatment of an entire nation?
2. What was Saul afraid the Philistines would do when they found him? Was he right to fear this? Why or why not? In chapter 28, Saul learned from Samuel that the Lord had become his enemy. How might this have affected his confidence during this battle?
3. How did Saul meet his end in this chapter? Do you think he deserved this? Why or why not?
4. Consider the complete defeat of Israel depicted in this chapter. If they were God's chosen people, how could he have allowed this to happen? How might the answer to this question encourage believers facing trials today?
5. According to verse 7, what did the men of Israel do when they heard their people had been defeated and their king had died? What happened when they did this? Have you ever allowed fear to take over what you once had control of? What was the result? Did God redeem the situation? If yes, then how?
6. Which important figures were slain by the Philistines in this chapter? Why do you think this is significant to the kingdom of Israel and its future?
7. What did the Philistines do when they discovered the body of Saul? How did their people react upon learning of his death? Do you think God approved of this behavior? Why or why not?
8. In chapter 11, we learn that Saul rescued the city of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. Why might it be important to know this when reading the end of this chapter? Do you think the men of Jabesh-gilead went out of their way to steal Saul's body from the Philistines? Why or why not?
9. When reading this chapter, what emotions come to mind in relation to the defeat of Israel and the death of Saul? Do you think this was a part of God's plan? Why or why not? Do you think that God acts in similar or different ways with believers today? If different, what has changed since then?
10. Despite the misdeeds of Saul, we see that Israel still mourned his passing. Were they right to do so? Why or why not? How might believers today use this as an example when faced with faulty leaders? Who is the one in ultimate authority?

Key Words/Phrase

Defeat, v. 8.

Characters

Saul, Jonathan, Abinadab, Melchi-shua.

Strong Verse(s)

11, 12.