These questions are designed to help you read and study the Bible passage that will be preached next week. Our prayer is that these questions will assist you in growing deeper in God’s Word as you examine the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

Chapter 26

Read 1 Samuel 26:1–5.

1. What is the setting of this story?

2. Why does Saul feel secure as he sleeps?

Read 1 Samuel 26:6–12.

3. Look at v. 6. What does David decide to do? Would you have volunteered to go with him?

4. Look at vv. 7–8. What does Abishai want to do? What would you have done?

5. Look at vv. 9–10.

i. What is David’s argument for sparing Saul? Summarize his argument in your own words.

ii. Read Romans 13:1–7. Do you see any similarities between David’s argument and Paul’s argument?

iii. As you consider 1 Samuel 26:9–10 and Romans 13:1–7 together, what are possible applications for us today, especially as we think about our political leaders?

6. Looking at 1 Samuel 26:6–12, what do we learn about the sovereignty of God? How can these truths help us trust him more?

Read 1 Samuel 26:13–16.

7. Why does David chide Saul’s men? How do you think they must have felt?

8. According to one commentary, “David’s unwillingness to strike sinfully at Saul had given him a platform from which to exhort others” [1]. What does this look like for Christians today, especially Christian leaders?

Read 1 Samuel 26:17–25.

9. What lessons do we learn from Saul’s words?

10 What lessons do we learn from David’s words?

11. A major theme in 1 Samuel chapters 24, 25, and 26 is waiting on the Lord for justice rather than taking matters into our own hands. What would it look like to apply this truth to your life today?