King Saul – Student Presentations

8thBible: Old Testament

(Presentation #______)

Scripture portion: ______

You will present a small part of the history of King Saul to the rest of your class. The Scripture portion(s) that you or classmates will be presenting arelisted on the backside. Your task is to give your classmates a summary of the main ideas that are found in the Scripture portion assigned to you.

  1. To get started, read your entire chapter to familiarize yourself with what the chapter is about.
  1. Now, think about whether there are certain key verses that you would like to read before or during your presentation. Write down the verse references.
  1. Use a separate sheet of paper or the space below to brainstorm about the contents of this chapter.
  1. Use a separate sheet of paper or the space below to organize your thoughts by writing an outline or by listing the main ideas in chronological order.
  1. Prepare a few questions to ask the class before, during, or after your presentation. Some examples are listed below but you should make several of your own regarding Saul’s character, desires, actions, relationship to others and God, etc. Questions that make people think are better than Yes/No questions.
  • “What does verse ______teach us regarding Saul?”
  • “Why did Saul (do or say this) in verse ______?”
  • “What lesson should we learn from verse ______?”

Selected Scripture portions for the presentations on Saul

  1. 1 Samuel 9 (The lost donkeys - God chooses Saul)
  1. 1 Samuel 10 (Saul is proclaimed king)
  1. 1 Samuel 11 (Saul delivers Jabesh Gilead)
  1. 1 Samuel 12 (Samuel's speech at the coronation of Saul)
  1. 1 Samuel 13 (Saul’s 1st sin of disobedience: sacrificing)
  1. 1 Samuel 14 (Saul’s selfish curse)
  1. 1 Samuel 15 (Saul's 2nd sin of disobedience)
  1. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 and 18:10-16 and 19:1, 8-24(Saul attempts to kill David)
  1. 1 Samuel 20:1-7, 24-42 (Saul misses David at the feast)
  1. 1 Samuel 22:6-23 (Saul murders the priests of God)
  1. 1 Samuel 23:19-29 (Saul pursues David)
  1. 1 Samuel 24 (David saves Saul’s life in the cave)
  1. 1 Samuel 26 (David saves Saul’s life again)
  1. 1 Samuel 28:3-25 (Saul visits a witch/medium)
  1. 1 Samuel 31 (The death of Saul)

Teacher Notes

IMPORTANT THOUGHTS REGARDING SAUL

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

  1. 1 Samuel 9 (The lost donkeys - God chooses Saul)
  2. 1 Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys,
  3. 6 by the counsel of his servant,
  4. 11 and direction of young maidens,
  5. 15 according to God's revelation,
  6. 18 comes to Samuel.
  7. 19 Samuel entertains Saul at the feast.
  8. 25 Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way.
  1. 1 Samuel 10 (Saul is proclaimed king)
  2. 1 Samuel anoints Saul.
  3. 2 He confirms him by prediction of three signs.
  4. 9 Saul's heart is changed, and he prophesies.
  5. 14 He conceals the matter of the kingdom from his uncle.
  6. 17 Saul is chosen at Mizpeh by lot.
  7. 26 The different affections of his subjects.
  1. 1 Samuel 11 (Saul delivers Jabesh Gilead)
  2. 1 Nahash offers them of Jabesh-gilead a reproachful condition.
  3. 4 They send messengers, and are delivered by Saul.
  4. 12 Saul thereby is confirmed, and his kingdom renewed.
  1. 1 Samuel 12 (Samuel's speech at the coronation of Saul)
  2. 1 Samuel testifies his integrity.
  3. 6 He reproves the people of ingratitude.
  4. 16 He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time.
  5. 20 He comforts them in God's mercy.
  1. 1 Samuel 13 (Saul’s 1st sin of disobedience: sinful sacrifices)
  2. 1 Saul's select band.
  3. 3 He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines, whose garrison Jonathan had smitten.
  4. 5 The Philistines' great host.
  5. 6 The distress of the Israelites.
  6. 8 Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, disobeys and sacrifices.
  7. 11 Samuel reproves him.
  8. 17 The three spoiling bands of the Philistines.
  9. 19 The policy of the Philistines, to suffer no smith in Israel.
  1. 1 Samuel 14 (Saul’s selfish curse)
  2. 1 Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison.
  3. 15 A divine terror makes them beat themselves.
  4. 17 Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them.
  5. 21 The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them.
  6. 24 Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory.
  7. 31 He restrains the people from eating blood.
  8. 35 He builds an altar.
  9. 37 Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people.
  10. 47 Saul's victories, strength, and family.
  1. 1 Samuel 15 (Saul's 2nd sin of disobdience: God rejects Saul as king)
  2. 1 Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek.
  3. 6 Saul favours the Kenites.
  4. 7 He spares Agag and the best of the spoil.
  5. 10 Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience.
  6. 24 Saul's humiliation.
  7. 32 Samuel kills Agag.
  8. 34 Samuel and Saul part.
  1. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 and 18:5-16 and 19:1, 8-24(Saul attempts to kill David)
  2. 15 Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit.
  3. 5 Saul envies his praise;
  4. 10 seeks to kill him in his fury;
  5. 12 fears him for his good success;
  6. 1 Jonathan discloses his father's purpose to kill David.
  7. 8 By reason of David's good success in a new war, Saul's malicious rage breaks out against him.
  8. 12 Michal deceives her father with an image in David's bed.
  9. 18 David comes to Samuel in Naioth.
  10. 20 Saul's messengers sent to take David,
  11. 22 and Saul himself, prophesy.
  1. 1 Samuel 20:1-7, 24-42 (Saul misses David at the feast)
  2. 1 David consults with Jonathan for his safety.
  3. 24 Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan.
  4. 35 Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David.
  1. 1 Samuel 22:6-23 (Saul murders the priests of God)
  2. 6 Saul going to pursue David, complains of his servants' unfaithfulness.
  3. 9 Doeg accuses Ahimelech.
  4. 11 Saul commands to kill the priests.
  5. 17 The footmen refusing, Doeg executes it.
  6. 20 Abiathar escaping, brings David the news.
  1. 1 Samuel 23:19-29 (Saul pursues David)
  2. 19 The Ziphites discover David to Saul.
  3. 25 At Maon David is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines.
  4. 29 David dwells at En-gedi.
  1. 1 Samuel 24 (David saves Saul’s life in the cave)
  2. 1 David, in a cave at En-gedi, having cut off Saul's skirt, spares his life.
  3. 8 He shews thereby his innocency.
  4. 16 Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.
  1. 1 Samuel 26 (David saves Saul’s life again)
  2. 1 Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David.
  3. 4 David coming into the trench stays Abishai from killing Saul, but takes his spear and cruse.
  4. 13 David reproves Abner;
  5. 17 and exhorts Saul.
  6. 21 Saul acknowledges his sin.
  1. 1 Samuel 28:3-25 (Saul visits a witch/medium ----See Notes Below)
  2. 3 Saul having destroyed the witches,
  3. 4 and now in his fear forsaken of God,
  4. 7 has recourse to a witch;
  5. 8 who, encouraged by Saul, raises up the appearance of Samuel.
  6. 15 Saul hearing his ruin, faints.
  7. 21 The woman and his servants refresh him with meat.
  1. 1 Samuel 31 (The death of Saul)
  2. 1 Saul, having lost his army, and his sons slain, he and his armour-bearer kill themselves.
  3. 7 The Philistines possess the forsaken towns of the Israelites.
  4. 8 They triumph over the dead carcases.
  5. 11 They of Jabesh-gilead recovering the dead bodies by night, burn them at Jabesh, and mournfully bury their bones.

Note on Saul’s visit to the witch of Endor:

“This passage illustrates the end of one who rejects the Word of God. The so-called appearance of Samuel is undoubtedly an evil spirit impersonating Samuel, yet speaking the truth.” (Bilkes)

  • The devils had Saul in their grip (the devils can speak the truth)
  • Samuel is called "up" and is said to be "ascending out of the earth" vs. 8, 11, 13, 15
  • This was not Samuel because that would cause a conflict with 1 Samuel 28:6 & 15
  • This was not Samuel because the context is a sinful act. If God did not answer Saul by lawful means, why would He now answer through the use of a sinful action.
  • The voice that speaks to Saul says in verse 19 "tomorrow you and your sons will be with me"; Saul would not be with Samuel but rather with the evil spirit who is speaking (contrast this with what Jesus said to the thief on the cross) Also note how this message brings Saul to despair which is exactly what the devils desire and do for those who turn to them in the day of trouble
  • The whole of Scripture teachesor witnesses that no one having left this earth returns.
  • See 1 Samuel 15:23 “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” It is interesting to note that Samuel said these words to Saul.

IMPORTANT THOUGHTS REGARDING SAUL

Take notes on your classmates presentations by using as much space as is necessary below.

You must include at least two very important ideas for each section in order to earn full credit.

  1. 1 Samuel 9 (The lost donkeys - God chooses Saul)
  2. 1 Samuel 10 (Saul is proclaimed king)
  3. 1 Samuel 11 (Saul delivers Jabesh Gilead)
  4. 1 Samuel 12 (Samuel's speech at the coronation of Saul)
  5. 1 Samuel 13 (Saul’s 1st sin of disobedience: sacrificing)
  6. 1 Samuel 14 (Saul’s selfish curse)
  7. 1 Samuel 15 (Saul's 2nd sin of disobedience)
  1. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 and 18:5-16 and 19:1, 8-24 (Saul attempts to kill David)
  2. 1 Samuel 20:1-7, 24-42 (Saul misses David at the feast)
  1. 1 Samuel 22:6-23 (Saul slays the priests of God)
  2. 1 Samuel 23:19-29 (Saul pursues David)
  3. 1 Samuel 24 (David saves Saul’s life in the cave)
  4. 1 Samuel 26 (David saves Saul’s life again)
  5. 1 Samuel 28:3-25 (Saul visits a witch/medium)
  6. 1 Samuel 31 (The death of Saul)