Questions for reflection, application, and discussion 1. It is clear from ...

Questions for reflection, application, and discussion 1. It is clear from reading chapters 18–20 of 1st Samuel that King Saul grew to hate David, and wanted to destroy him. a. What, if anything, did David do to cause Saul’s hatred? Is there anything that David could have, or should have done to resolve this conflict? If so, what? b. Should we understand Saul's hatred of David as an experience unique to the circumstances of David's life, or is it as an example of what we should expect as a normal experience for someone who seeks to follow Christ? Explain your answer. 2. David had done nothing to cause Saul's hatred, and he could do nothing to heal the relationship with Saul. a. Romans 12:18 teaches us about how we should respond to people who are not open to healing in a broken relationship, telling us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Practically, what does this passage teach you about dealing with these difficult relationships? b. Read John 15:18-20. Jesus tells us that the world will hate followers of Christ because they hate Christ. Why did they hate Christ? (see John 3:18-21). What about our following Christ causes the world to hate us? c. We know that Jesus’ ministry was defined in large part by his love, and as followers of Christ we want to love people and to be loved by others. How should we understand what Jesus says in John 15 with the idea that Jesus ministry was defined by love? 3. 1st Samuel 18:21, we are told that Saul wanted to give David his daughter Michal as his wife “that she may be a snare for him.” What do you think is meant by this? How and why would she be a snare? a. What is the practical lesson for our lives we should learn from this? b. What can and/or should we learn from Michal’s role in David’s life? 4. What stands out to you from the story of Jonathan’s friendship with and commitment to David? What can you learn from the example of his friendship? 5. In 1st Samuel 20 when Saul became open in his intent to kill David, Jonathan was caught between his father’s expectation of loyalty, and his commitment to David. a. Was Jonathan forced to choose between being loyal to his father or being loyal to David? Did being a good and faithful friend to David require Jonathan to be a disloyal and/or bad son to his father? Why or why not? b. King Saul defined Jonathan’s love and loyalty to him by Jonathan’s willingness to participate in his plan to kill David. Does this still happen in our world today? What are examples of situations where other people define our love and loyalty toward them by our willingness to support and/or participate in sinful behavior? What should we learn from Jonathan’s example? 6. The story of David and Jonathan’s friendship should not only teach us about the importance of having authentic friendships, but it should also teach us about being an authentic friend to others.

a. What does Jonathan’s example teach you about how to be an authentic friend? b. In an honest self-appraisal, are you more critical of others when they fail to be a Jonathan type of friend to you, or of yourself when you fail to be that type of friend for them? Why do you think that is?