Friday

26 April

1 Sam 13-15; Eccl 10:1-11; Acts 8

1 Samuel 13: How old was Saul when he became king and how long did he rule?  What did Saul do to displease God? Why? What did Samuel say was the consequence?  Who in the Israelite army had weapons?

1 Samuel 14: What did Jonathon do that almost cost him his life?  Who is mentioned as being in Saul’s family?

1 Samuel 15: What sin did Saul commit in this chapter?

Acts 8: What led the church to spread outside of Jerusalem? Where did Philip go and what was the result?

Journal Prompt: Can you identify with Saul in chapter 13?  How have you ever gone ahead and done something for the Lord when you were unsure if it was His will for you?

Answers:

1 Samuel 13: Saul was 30 years old and he was king for 42 years. Saul had waited for Samuel, who didn’t show up on time, so Saul performed the duties of a priest, because he felt he was losing control of his soldiers. Samuel said that the Lord would not allow Saul’s kingdom to endure. Only Saul and Jonathan had swords or spears – there were no blacksmiths in the land to sharpen their weapons and tools.

1 Samuel 14: Jonathon ate honey not realizing that Saul had made a vow that anyone who ate would be put to death. Saul was married to Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. Their sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. Saul’s cousin, Abner was the commander of Saul’s army.

1 Samuel 15: Saul was commanded to devote to destruction everything from the Amalekite towns, but he saved the plunder and spared the life of the king.

Acts 8: After Stephen’s death, there was a great persecution against the church – so with the exception of the apostles, the believers fled. But that allowed for the good news to be declared in many areas outside of Jerusalem. Philip went to Samaria and there he performed great signs and many believed and there was great joy – so Peter and John went to impart the Holy Spirit upon the new believers. It seems that this was a two part process – they had been baptized in Jesus’ name, but they had not received the Holy Spirit.