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).

1 Samuel 27:1-28:2

Read 1 Samuel 27:1–4.

1. In verse 1, David is delivering a brief "sermon" to himself. What is his message?

2. Is his message to himself true in light of what David has experienced in the past few chapters of 1 Samuel?

3. Do you ever preach false sermons to your heart? What does that look like in your life?

4. Looking at verses 2–4, David flees to Gath for a second time (see 1 Samuel 21:10–15). In light of what happened the last time, does this decision seem wise or foolish?

5. When life is hard, do we sometimes try to take refuge in the world rather than in God?

Read 1 Samuel 27:5–12.

6. Look at this entire chapter. How many times is God mentioned?

7. How do we morally evaluate David’s raids against Israel’s enemies? For more insight, see 1 Samuel 15:1–3, Deuteronomy 25:19, Deuteronomy 7:2, and Exodus 17:16.

8. How do we morally evaluate David’s lies to Achish? For more insight, see Psalm 34:13–14, Psalm 119:29, and Ephesians 4:25.

9. How can taking refuge in the world lead us into subtle forms of moral compromise like David?

Read 1 Samuel 28:1–2.

10. What happens if he says yes to Achish? What happens if he says no? What are the dangers on both sides?

11. Have foolish decisions ever put you between a rock and a hard place?

12. Turn to Proverbs 29:25. How can this verse help us avoid the pitfalls of David?