Study Questions on 1 Samuel 29 banner

Study Questions on 1 Samuel 29

Finding Amazing Grace

Paul J. Bucknell

Moral dilemmas | Difficult testings | Rewards and conclusion | Questions

Opening Question

Have you ever faced a situation where you didn’t know what to decide? What made it so difficult to choose?

1. Facing Desperate Moments (1 Samuel 29:1-5)

29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek, while the Israelites were camping by the spring which is in Jezreel. 2 And the lords of the Philistines were proceeding on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were proceeding on in the rear with Achish. 3 Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted to me to this day?” 4 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him, and the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man go back, that he may return to his place where you have assigned him, and do not let him go down to battle with us, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what could this man make himself acceptable to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of these men? 5 “Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’? (NASB if not noted.)

  1. Describe the scene in verses 1-2. Who and why are they gathering?
  2. What surprised King Achish’s generals (i.e., lords) (2)? Why so?
  3. Why wasn't King Achish concerned about David’s men following behind (3)?
  4. Review 1 Samuel 27:1-2 on why David and his men were on the side of the Philistines.
  5. What did the Philistine generals insist about David and his men (4-5)?
  6. Was David on the wrong side? Did he make a mistake by siding with the Philistines? Explain.
  7. Have you somehow compromised and ended up fighting against God?

2. Finding Amazing Grace (1 Samuel 29:6-11)

29:6 Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army are pleasing in my sight; for I have not found evil in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, you are not pleasing in the sight of the lords. 7 “Now therefore return, and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” 8 And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day when I came before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 But Achish answered and said to David, “I know that you are pleasing in my sight, like an angel of God; nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 “Now then arise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you, and as soon as you have arisen early in the morning and have light, depart.” 11 So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.” (NASB)

  1. What did Achish, the King of the Philistines, ask David to do (6-7)?
  2. What kind of reputation did David have before the king (9-10)?
  3. How did David answer (8; cf.28:2)? Was he truthful? Explain.
  4. Let’s analyze this situation. David compromised himself and his men, and he became trapped in a difficult position, unable to live transparently—unlike Jesus. Despite all of this, how did the Lord rescue David?
  5. Why do you think God helped David and his men? The leaders could have easily just eliminated them.
  6. Why and how is deceit often connected to compromise?
  7. Assess your transparency and deception levels. When do you usually show a “better than real” version of yourself? How many people have you deceived?
  8. Think of situations where we've gotten into trouble. How has the Lord helped you out?
  9. This situation (which becomes even more spectacular in chapter 30) shows God’s incredible nature in displaying His grace to His people. Read Eph 2:8 and answer, “Why does God bother to show grace to us?”

Summary

David was blindsided by the full scope of God’s truth and justified a plan. God was displeased with David’s choice. After all, God had been providing miraculous escapes for David and demonstrating His mercy to Saul. But note, despite David’s deceit and working for the Philistines, God had mercy on him and rescued him.

Moral dilemmas | Difficult testings | Rewards and conclusion | Questions