STUDENT STUDY GUIDE
Lesson 4
The Heart of Saul vs. the Heart of David
Section 1 - Why Saul Rose: Israel Asks for a King
Section One
Understanding why Israel wanted a king is key to understanding why Saul-type leaders rise in every generation.
Fill in the Blanks
Israel said: Make us a king to judge us like all the
God told Samuel: They have not rejected you, they have rejected
The moment you want the approval of the world, you have begun to reject the of God.
Sauls get into power when God's people want to be valued in the eyes of the
Sauls have the to gain power but not the character to handle it.
Why is quick exaltation dangerous, according to this passage and the lesson?
My Answer
Section 2 - The Amalek Test: Saul's Defining Moment
Section Two
Read 1 Samuel 15 carefully before completing this section.
| God's Command (1 Sam. 15:3) | Saul's Action (1 Sam. 15:9) |
|---|---|
| Utterly destroy everything - spare nothing. | Saul and the people spared: |
The Saul Heart Revealed - Fill in the Blanks
When Samuel arrived, Saul declared: I have the commandment of the Lord. (1 Sam. 15:13)
The first thing a person who lacks character does when confronted is blame their mistakes on
A Saul can completely violate the Word of God and sincerely believe he has fully
To obey is better than
Even in his confession, Saul's deepest concern was: Honor me before the
Samuel's Declaration (1 Sam. 15:22-23):
Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Why is stubbornness compared to idolatry? What is the idol?
My Answer
Section 3 - The David Heart: The Cave Test
Section Three
David's character was formed not in the spotlight but in hiddenness, rejection, and surrender.
The Cave (1 Samuel 24)
David's men said: This is the day the Lord has delivered your enemy into your
David cut off a corner of Saul's robe - and then his heart
David said: The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the
David did not need the approval of his men. He said: I need only the approval of
The Water from the Well (2 Samuel 23)
Three of David's mighty men risked their lives to bring him water from the well of Bethlehem. What did David do with it, and what does this reveal about his heart?
My Answer
Key Principle: A David understands - you do not lead so that people can serve you; you serve so that the people can be led into the will of God.
Section 4 - Saul vs. David: Complete the Comparison
Section Four
| Area | Heart of Saul | Heart of David |
|---|---|---|
| Whose approval? | People's approval | God's approval only |
| Handles the Word how? | Bends / waters it down | Obeys fully |
| Response to confrontation? | Blames others; manages image | |
| Response to failure? | Honor me before the elders | |
| What sustains them? | The crowd | |
| Where character forms? | In the cave - hiddenness |
Section 5 - The Choice: Which Will You Be?
Section Five
Fill in the Blanks
The moment you become afraid of offending men, you have already begun to offend
God is raising up in these last days a generation of
David's cave became David's
Personal Response:
In what specific situation this week am I most tempted to seek people's approval over God's Word?
My Situation
What would a David response look like in that situation?
A David Response
Lesson 4 - Practice Test
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Part A: Multiple Choice (5 questions · 2 pts each)
1. When Israel demanded a king, God told Samuel that they had rejected:
2. In 1 Samuel 15, God's command to Saul was to utterly destroy the Amalekites. What did Saul do?
3. Samuel declared: Rebellion is as the sin of ___.
4. In the cave (1 Sam. 24), when David's men said this was his moment to kill Saul, David:
5. When David's men brought him water from the well at Bethlehem, David:
Part B: True or False (6 statements · 1 pt each)
1. Israel's demand for a king was a rejection of God's authority over them.
2. Saul sincerely believed he had obeyed God even as he clearly disobeyed.
3. To obey is better than sacrifice - you can make up for disobedience with religious activity.
4. David refused to strike Saul in the cave because he needed the approval of his men.
5. A David heart leads so that people can serve the leader.
6. David's cave was not a detour - it was his training ground for kingship.
Part C: Fill in the Blank (5 items · 1 pt each)
1. Sauls get into power when God's people want to be valued in the eyes of the
2. Saul had the personality to gain power but not the to handle it.
3. To obey is better than (1 Samuel 15:22)
4. Sauls need the approval of the people. Davids need only the of God.
5. David's cave became David's
Part D: Short Answer (completion credit)
1. What conditions produce Saul-type leaders? What does Israel's demand for a king reveal about human nature?
2. What does the Amalek test (1 Samuel 15) reveal about the heart of Saul? Give at least two specific behaviors.
3. What is the difference between the Saul heart and the David heart? Which do you most want to develop and why?
Part E - Before You Leave
One area where I am most tempted to seek people's approval over God's Word:
What a David response would look like in that situation:
My commitment this week:
Sauls need the approval of the people. Davids need only the approval of God.
- Lesson 4