◄ 1 Samuel 22:16 ►
But the king replied, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house!" Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 22:16? 2. Why did King Saul order the death of Ahimelech in 1 Samuel 22:16? 3. How does Saul's command reflect his spiritual state and leadership failures? 4. Compare Saul's actions in 1 Samuel 22:16 with David's reliance on God. 5. What lessons can we learn about obedience to God versus human authority? 6. How can we ensure our decisions align with God's will, not personal vendettas? 7. Why did King Saul order the death of Ahimelech and the priests in 1 Samuel 22:16? 8. How does 1 Samuel 22:16 reflect on Saul's leadership and mental state? 9. What does 1 Samuel 22:16 reveal about the consequences of opposing God's anointed? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 22? 11. Why did Doeg betray David to King Saul? 12. Who was Abiathar in the Bible? 13. Who was high priest when David went into the House of GOD and ate the consecrated bread? Abiathar (Mark 2:26) Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (I Samuel 1:1; 22:20) 14. Is it okay to lie? (Exodus 20:16 vs. 1 Kings 22:21-22) Discussion Questions 1. How does Saul's response to Ahimelech reflect his spiritual state, and what can we learn about the dangers of unchecked emotions like jealousy and fear? 2. In what ways does the account of Ahimelech and Nob challenge us to consider the cost of discipleship and standing for truth in our own lives? 3. How does the account of Saul and Ahimelech connect with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 12:1-8, and what does this reveal about God's priorities? 4. What lessons can we draw from the role of Doeg the Edomite in this account, and how can we guard against being complicit in wrongdoing? 5. How does the theme of divine justice in this passage encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we witness injustice in the world today? 1 Samuel 22 Bible Study Questions 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 22:16 NIV 1 Samuel 22:16 NLT 1 Samuel 22:16 ESV 1 Samuel 22:16 NASB 1 Samuel 22:16 KJV 1 Samuel 22:16 Commentaries Bible Hub