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1 Samuel 9-10

Paul J. Bucknell

A1. God's Calling (9) | A2. Questions on Calling | B. God's Confirmation (10)
Handout | Study Questions | mp3 Podcast | Video Podcast

God's callingThis study of 1 Samuel 9-10 provides a great setting to further understand the calling of God. Do you understand God's calling or simply confused about it?

We will first look at God’s call in 1 Samuel 9 and then God’s confirmation of this call in 1 Samuel 10. 1 Samuel 11 describes the affirmation of Saul’s call (not in this study).

A. A. God’s Call for Saul to be King (1 Samuel 9:1-27)

  1. Describe Saul’s family background (1 Samuel 9:1)?

  2. What else do we know about Saul (1 Samuel 9:2)?

  3. Saul’s father, Kish, send Saul to look for donkeys? What happened on that journey (1 Samuel 9:3-9)?

  4. Make sure you have read the whole story of 1 Samuel 9:10-10:1. *Do you think the donkeys being lost, not being able to find them, being near the prophet, the prophet being present and having just the right amount of money to see the prophet was accidental, coincidence or strategically worked out by God? Why?

  5. What is the difference between a seer and a prophet (1 Samuel 9:9)?

  6. While Saul was searching for his donkeys, what else was God doing (1 Samuel 9:15-16)? What did God say?

  7. What did God do in 9:17? Why do you think so?

  8. In what special ways did Samuel speak to Saul so that he said, “Why then do you speak to me in this way (1 Samuel 9:19-21)?

  9. In what special ways did Samuel treat Saul in 9:22-27? Why was this important?

  10. What then did Samuel do in 10:1? What is the meaning of this ritual?

Application for 1 Samuel 9

  1. Consider the uniqueness of the way that the Lord called Saul.Do you think it is right to conclude that the Lord understands all of our ways? Why or why not?

  2. If the Lord wanted to call any one of us to a certain task, from studying 1 Samuel 9 do you think the Lord is able to do this?

  3. If we used Saul’s situation as a model, how might God intervene in your life and communicate His purposes to you? (e.g. You don’t search for donkeys, but you ….).

  4. Why do some Christians say that all believers are called? If so, how does this fit into Saul’s situation? (Check article for more questions and answers like this).

B. God’s Confirmation for Saul to be King (1 Samuel 10:1-27)

“Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?” (1 Samuel 10:1).

  1. Read 1 Samuel chapter 10.

  2. What did Samuel do in 10:2-6? Describe each event.

  3. Why does the scripture say that these things were told Saul (1 Samuel 10:7)?

  4. Verse 18 gives us some information of what will happen in the following chapters. Read it and note what one command was given to Saul (Discussed in 1 Samuel 13).

  5. What other spiritual things happened to Saul (1 Samuel 10:9-13)? What might these things mean? Why do you think so?

  6. What happened in 1 Samuel 10:14-16? Why do you think 10:16 was added? What does it show of Saul’s character? Would you have shared?

  7. Explain what happened in 1 Samuel 10:17-21? Why is this significant?

  8. What did they have to do in 10:22-23?

  9. How did Samuel resolve this embarrassing situation (10:24)?

  10. What might have happened due to Saul’s reluctance to act like a king (10:27)?

Application for 1 Samuel 10

  1. A calling provides direction, but sometimes we need our faith to be boosted. God does that through special events, words, scriptures and other things. Share any special things God has done to give you special peace about doing something you would not otherwise been able to do.

  2. God wanted Saul to know “God is with you.” What significance does God’s presence have in our confidence in what we are doing? Think of one example from your own life.

  3. Even though the Lord provided many signs for Saul, he did not appropriate them. He at times acted on his fears such as when he hid among the luggage. How should have he responded to his fears? How could he use what God had recently done in his life to stand tall and trust God?

  4. List one area where you know what God wants but have difficulty trusting Him? List the ways He has confirmed His presence to help you. Or perhaps, list your fears and seek Him for extra strength from His presence to do them.

Next -> Read the 1 Samuel 9 study to help find the answers or listen to the podcast.