1 Samuel 26:21 | The Phone Tree Bible Study Group

A Phone Tree Bible Study Group ACTion Article

Reading Assignment:

(Go back and review your Bible study notes on Saul. Be sure to notice his behaviors and actions before the Most High God and in regard to David, as well as in terms of others, such as Jonathan, Ahimelech and the priests at Nob. You should see a pattern of irreverence, disobedience, arrogance, jealousy, and madness. Also, especially consider what 1 Samuel 16:14 says.)

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Personal Reflection ACTion Statement:

Nonsense is a human construct. It influences one’s ideas. It shapes one’s perception of the world. It impacts one’s interpretation of information. It affects one’s understanding of people. It has the ability to steer one’s actions and behaviors.

It is often a staunch, rigid dogmatism that drives people into the realm of the nonsensical. In that place – the place of the nonsensical – it is easy to be led toward an unrighteous course, which can assuredly result in playing the fool and erring exceedingly.

Bible Study Questions to Consider and a Review:

1) When did the Spirit of the LORD depart from Saul?

2) When did God present a distressing spirit to Saul?

3) How did Saul act toward GOD before the distressing spirit began to trouble him?

4) When did Saul’s attitude toward David change?

5) Why did Saul resent David?

6) How did Saul persecute David?

7) Why was Saul angry at his son, Jonathan, concerning his attitude toward David, and what did he do to demonstrate said anger?

8) What grave, murderous act did Saul allow to happen in Nob?

9) What did Saul’s pursuit of David entail?

10) Thus far, how many campaigns did Saul engage in, as he relentlessly pursued David?

11) Did Saul plot evil against David?

12) What actions of Saul might indicate twisted thinking or a distortion of reality, regarding David?

13) What does Saul confess in 1 Samuel 24:16-21 and in 1 Samuel 26:21, 25?

14) At any point in Saul’s efforts against David, did he, perhaps, show signs of paranoia, make false accusations, or choose a discourse based on an untruth?

15) Using our modern vernacular, could it be said that Saul “created” conspiracy theories against David? If so, why would he do that?

Meditative Scriptures:

Proverbs 10:23
Proverbs 12:15

Bonus Content:

Ways To Play the Fool and To Err Exceedingly:

Demonstrate irreverence toward GOD.
Cease communication with the LORD.
Fail to heed the wise counsel of the LORD via His Word.
Taint the instructions and directives of the LORD.
Act selfishly, choosing personal desires over the LORD’s will.
Make unrighteous choices.
Fail to take responsibility for erroneous actions.
Abandon truth.
Chase after that which makes no sense or is illogical.
Cling to the notion of wishing harm or ill intent on those who disagree with you or on those who do not share your convictions.
Hold on to that which is unjust.
Move toward wickedness…in any way.
Engage in practices that treat others untowardly.
Eat the fruit of corruption.
Trade sense of spiritual morality for a cultural/political/social pseudo morality.
Lose GOD-given identity to a counterfeit identity.
Choose sin.