He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 22:19? 2. What does 1 Samuel 22:19 reveal about Saul's leadership and spiritual state? 3. How can we guard against unjust actions like those in 1 Samuel 22:19? 4. Compare Saul's actions here with God's commands in Deuteronomy 5:17. 5. How should Christians respond to authority figures acting against God's will? 6. What lessons on obedience to God can we learn from 1 Samuel 22:19? 7. Why did Saul order the massacre of Nob in 1 Samuel 22:19? 8. How does 1 Samuel 22:19 reflect on Saul's leadership and character? 9. What does the destruction of Nob reveal about the consequences of disobedience to God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 22? 11. Why does this text present such severe violence against priests as sanctioned or uninterrupted (1 Samuel 22:19)? 12. If multiple eyewitnesses survived, why is there no independent confirmation of such a large-scale killing (1 Samuel 22)? 13. How did Goliath’s sword end up in the temple at Nob, and is there a historical or archaeological record (1 Samuel 21:8–9)? 14. Is there any archeological or historical evidence supporting the massacre at Nob or the existence of these 85 priests (1 Samuel 22:18-19)? Discussion Questions 1. How does Saul's destruction of Nob reflect his spiritual state and relationship with God at this point in his reign?2. In what ways can we ensure our loyalty remains with God rather than with human leaders or institutions? 3. How can we, like David, respond to the unintended consequences of our actions in a way that honors God? 4. What lessons can we learn from the suffering of the innocent priests at Nob about trusting in God's justice? 5. How does the account of Nob challenge us to consider the impact of our decisions on others, especially those who are vulnerable or innocent?1. How does David demonstrate leadership in the face of adversity in this chapter? 2. How does Saul's fear affect his judgement and actions? Can you think of a time when fear has clouded your judgement? 3. Why do you think the disenfranchised individuals gathered around David at the cave of Adullam? 4. In what ways does the story of Doeg the Edomite serve as a warning about spiritual betrayal? 5. How does David show compassion and responsibility towards Abiathar, the survivor of the massacre? 6. How might you have responded if you were in David's position, knowing that your actions inadvertently led to the massacre of innocent priests? 7. Reflect on the actions of Ahimelech when he helped David. Was he wrong in his actions? Why or why not? 8. How does 1 Samuel 22 showcase the impact of false narratives and miscommunication (in the case of Doeg)? 9. How does this chapter illuminate the difference between godly and worldly leadership? 10. In your life, have you ever felt like David—pursued, under threat, and responsible for others? 11. Can you draw parallels between David's band of followers and the Church, both being havens for the outcasts and distressed? 12. How does this chapter reinforce the belief in divine providence amidst adversities? 13. What are some contemporary examples of leaders who acted out of fear and paranoia like Saul? 14. Have you ever felt caught in a situation where, like Ahimelech, you made a decision with good intentions but faced unforeseen negative consequences? 15. How does this chapter speak to the responsibility of leaders to protect and ensure the safety of their followers? 16. How can we apply the lessons from David's leadership in our own communities? 17. If you were in the position of Saul's servants who refused to kill the priests, what would your reaction be? 18. How can we ensure that we do not become like Doeg, misrepresenting truth for personal gain? 19. How does the chapter reflect on the theme of innocence suffering due to others' actions? 20. What can we learn from David's acceptance of Abiathar and his promise to protect him? Links 1 Samuel 22:19 NIV1 Samuel 22:19 NLT 1 Samuel 22:19 ESV 1 Samuel 22:19 NASB 1 Samuel 22:19 KJV 1 Samuel 22:19 Commentaries Bible Hub |



