David: Anointed Warrior Part 9: Abner

So who was Abner, Saul’s general? He was a close family member. According to I Chronicles 8: 29-33, Abner was an uncle of Saul; while I Sam. 14: 51 reports Abner was a cousin. Noting Abner’s behavior in the Biblical text, I chose to report him as Saul’s uncle. Abner appears to be older and wiser, while Saul was younger and more impulsive. Uncle or cousin… does it matter? What do you think? What can you find out yourself?

One thing I could say about Abner. He was loyal. Unwavering. Obedient. Smart. Brave. He was all-in with Saul.  How many times have we fought hard for something only to discover that God really wanted the opposite?  We cannot assume to know the will of the Lord. We cannot do what seems to us to be “good” or even the obvious. This is what happened to Abner. As you watch the lesson, think about the question: Was Abner a follower of Yahweh or not? What did Abner finally learn? 

There is more to the story of Abner to come, as well as Abishai, Joab, Michal, Abiathar, and Ahinoam.  Samuel, Jesse, Saul and Jonathan have died. But new voices emerge in 2 Samuel to tell us about David.  Nathan, Bathsheba, Absalom, Joab, Benaniah, and others have their stories to tell. 

By now, you should have quite a list of things we know about David. His habits, his strengths, and his weaknesses. David was not a perfect man. Like all of  us, he made mistakes. He forged ahead without checking in with God. He was impulsive at times. But he had an intimate relationship with God. He spent time with God. He fought for God, and obeyed God. He wrote beautiful prayers and songs about God.  He repented when wrong, and made things right. He was anointed by God, and walked in his calling. 

One thing stands out above all the rest. David was a man after God’s own heart. 

For Lesson Plans for Part 9 :Abner, CLICK HERE!

This part of Abner's story is just the beginning. There is, of course, more to the story in 2 Samuel. Don't miss the next study, David: Anointed King, a study of 2 Samuel!

17:40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyMn5THWzAM

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 28:3-25, 31, 2 Samuel 1: 17-27

Discussion Questions:

1. What new things do we learn about David in this lesson?

2. This is the very same battle that the Lords of the Philistines would not let David’s men join.  They were sent back to Ziklag. Was it the Lord’s will for David to be there that day? Why or why not?

3. Why did Saul go to the witch at Endor? What does this show about his faith in Yahweh? Saul became afraid and sought the witch for guidance, when God was quiet. Have you ever reacted wrongly out of fear when God seemed distant? Tell what happened.

4. Saul really wanted to speak to Samuel. Why?  Did he get what he wanted? Was it really Samuel? Or was it God? 

5. Why did Saul commit suicide?  The armor bearer? 

6. Why did Jonathan continue to stay with his father throughout his reign,  even though he knew David would be the next king?

7. Abner was determined to continue to support the royal line of King Saul, supporting Ishbosheth as the next king of Israel. What does this say about Abner?

8. If you were David, what would you do next?

9. Take a moment to read aloud 2 Samuel Chapter 1, giving another account of Saul’s death. Do you believe this account? Why or why not? Why did the Amalekite run to David? Did David’s response surprise you? Wouldn’t it be ironic if an Amalekite did kill Saul?

10. Abner, Saul’s uncle, was not killed in the battle. If he were to join David, bringing the other 11 tribes with him, what position in David’s kingdom do you think he would want to have? What would the other mighty men, such as Abishai, Joab and Asahel, as well as the others think about that?

11. Do you think Abner had a heart for Yahweh? Why or why not? 

Series Review

Now: Spend some time in this lesson (Or add a lesson 10!) to review the entire study. 

1.Read aloud the name of each character in the study. What do you remember about each one? Which lesson was your personal favorite?

2.Review some of the things you learned about David throughout the study. Character traits? Personality? Growth? What mistakes did David make? How did he handle his mistakes?

3. How did David change over this period of time? Did he change or was he steadily the same?Did David grow closer to God or move farther away? What evidence can you give for your choice? 

4. What did David do when he was in the strongholds and caves hiding from Saul? How did this prepare him to be king? 

5. What new thing did you learn about David from this study? 

6. What questions do you have about any of the characters, or about David? 

7. Finally, David is known as a man “after God’s own heart.” After studying David, what do you think that means? How is David different from other men of God in the scriptures? What other Bible characters are people after God’s own heart?

8. Studying 1 Samuel makes me want to know “the rest of the story.” Watch for the series coming next titled, David: Anointed King!