◄ 1 Samuel 28:3 ►
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 28:3? 2. How does 1 Samuel 28:3 highlight the importance of obeying God's commandments? 3. What can we learn about spiritual leadership from Samuel's death in 1 Samuel 28:3? 4. Why did Saul ban mediums and spiritists, and how does this apply today? 5. How does 1 Samuel 28:3 connect with Deuteronomy 18:10-12 about occult practices? 6. What steps can we take to ensure we seek God, not forbidden practices? 7. Why did Saul seek a medium despite God's prohibition in 1 Samuel 28:3? 8. How does 1 Samuel 28:3 reflect on Saul's spiritual state? 9. What does 1 Samuel 28:3 reveal about Israel's religious practices at the time? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 28? 11. What is the significance of Ramah in the Bible? 12. How does the narrative explain Samuel’s apparent reappearance if 1 Samuel 28:14–20 implies he was genuinely summoned from the dead? 13. What is the Witch of Endor Bible story about? 14. Is there any archaeological or historical evidence confirming the existence of mediums in ancient Israel to support the story of 1 Samuel 28:7–9? Discussion Questions 1. How does the death of a spiritual leader like Samuel impact a community, and what can we learn from Israel's response? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our obedience to God's commands remains consistent, even in challenging times? 3. How can we guard against desperation leading us to seek ungodly solutions, and what scriptures can help us in such times? 4. Reflect on a time when you had to mourn a spiritual leader. How did their teachings continue to influence you after their passing? 5. Considering Saul's actions, what are the dangers of not fully trusting in God's guidance, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives? 1 Samuel 28 Bible Study Questions 1. Why do you think God chose not to respond to Saul's pleas? 2. How does Saul's spiritual desperation reflect in his actions? Can you recall any moment in your life when you felt similar desperation? 3. What are the dangers of seeking spiritual guidance outside of God, as Saul did? 4. How does this chapter illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 5. In what ways does the character of the Witch of Endor defy expectations? 6. How does the prophecy of Samuel highlight the sovereignty of God over life and death? 7. Saul was rejected by God for his disobedience. How can we ensure obedience in our lives to avoid such consequences? 8. How does Saul's fear manifest throughout the chapter? How does it affect his judgment? 9. How do you interpret the witch's act of kindness in feeding Saul and his servants? What does it teach about compassion? 10. How does the prophecy from Samuel affect Saul's morale and his mindset? What might this suggest about the power of words and prophecies? 11. If you were in Saul's position, what would you have done differently? 12. How might this chapter serve as a warning for believers in the present day? 13. In a contemporary context, what might be considered similar to Saul consulting the medium? 14. How should we handle moments when it seems like God isn't answering our prayers? 15. Discuss how this chapter presents human fear and uncertainty. How can we navigate through our fears in our spiritual journey? 16. How can one uphold their faith in situations where God seems silent? 17. In the modern world, we often face choices similar to Saul's. How can we ensure we make choices in line with God's will in our lives? 18. Discuss the role of prophets in biblical times using Samuel as an example. What can we learn from them today? 19. What lessons can we learn from Saul's downfall for our spiritual journey? 20. This chapter depicts the outcomes of spiritual desperation. How can we prevent ourselves from reaching a state of spiritual desperation? Links 1 Samuel 28:3 NIV 1 Samuel 28:3 NLT 1 Samuel 28:3 ESV 1 Samuel 28:3 NASB 1 Samuel 28:3 KJV 1 Samuel 28:3 Commentaries Bible Hub