1 Samuel 9–15

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remove any potential distractions. Try to be calm and to put all worries and troubles aside. This will help you invite the Holy Ghost to help you learn.

Begin your study with prayer.

Sometimes people convince themselves that a particular commandment does not apply to them. They may not believe it is important, or they may feel that what they are asked to do is too difficult.

Listen to Elder Bruce A. Carlson of the Seventy tell a story that illustrates the importance of strict obedience to God’s commandments. What can we learn from this story?

You can read the text for this video here: “When the Lord Commands,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 38.

Imagine that you are making an important decision and need some direction.

To where or whom would you go for advice? Why?

As you study 1 Samuel 9, look for truths that can help you when you need direction.

We read in 1 Samuel 9:1–5 that Saul was “a choice young man” and that among all the Israelites there was not “a goodlier person than he” (verse 2).

We also read in this passage that Saul and a servant were sent to find Saul’s father’s lost donkeys. After they searched without success, Saul suggested they return home to his father.

Read 1 Samuel 9:6, 9, looking for how the servant responded to Saul’s suggestion.

A seer is a man of God who can see or know of things in the past, present, or future that others may not perceive (see Mosiah 8:13–17).

We read in 1 Samuel 9:7–17 that Saul and his servant went looking for the “man of God” (see verses 6, 8, 10), who we learn was the prophet Samuel. The day before Saul and Samuel met, the Lord had revealed to Samuel that Saul would be coming and that Saul was to be the king of Israel.

Read 1 Samuel 9:18–20, looking for what Samuel told Saul.

What can Samuel’s words teach us about the power of seers?

According to 1 Samuel 9:6, Saul’s servant said that Samuel the prophet and seer would show them the “way that [they] should go.”

What principle can we identify from Saul’s experience about seeking the Lord’s direction?

One principle we can identify from Saul’s experience is that if we seek the Lord’s direction through His prophets and seers, they will show us the way we should go.

In our day we sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets and seers.

1. Answer at least two of the following questions:

• What are some ways the Lord gives direction through His prophets and seers in our day?

• When have you personally felt directed by the Lord through a prophet?

• How can you seek the Lord’s direction through His prophets and seers to help you with a question or decision you are facing right now?

We read in 1 Samuel 9:22–27 that Samuel honored and instructed Saul at a feast.

According to the account recorded in 1 Samuel 10–12, Samuel anointed Saul to be king. This meant that the Lord had chosen Saul to be a king in Israel and that He would grant Saul a portion of His Spirit. The Lord “gave [Saul] another heart,” which means that Saul was spiritually reborn (1 Samuel 10:9; see also footnote a).

Sometime after Saul’s appointment as king of Israel, the Ammonites threatened to attack some Israelites living east of the Jordan River. Saul, being led by the Spirit, rallied the Israelites to battle and successfully defeated the Ammonites. Samuel then gathered the people and confirmed Saul as their king before the Lord. Samuel testified that the Lord was Israel’s true leader and warned the Israelites that if they did not obey the Lord they would be destroyed.

According to 1 Samuel 13:1–5, a group of Israelite soldiers under the command of Saul’s son Jonathan attacked a group of Philistine soldiers stationed in Israelite territory. In response, the Philistines gathered a great army to fight the Israelites.

Read 1 Samuel 13:6–8, looking for how some Israelites responded when the Philistine army advanced.

As recorded in 1 Samuel 10:8, the prophet Samuel had told Saul to go to Gilgal and wait seven days, after which Samuel would come to offer sacrifices to the Lord. These sacrifices would be a way to seek the Lord’s blessings before the Israelite army went into battle. It was important for Saul to wait for Samuel because Saul did not hold the priesthood and therefore was not authorized to perform the sacrifices.

Read 1 Samuel 13:8–9, looking for what Saul did in these critical circumstances while waiting for Samuel to come.

Why do you think he did this?

Read 1 Samuel 13:10–14, looking for how Saul justified his actions to Samuel.

One principle that we can identify from 1 Samuel 13:10–14 is that even though we may try to justify our disobedience to the Lord’s commandments, He will hold us accountable.

How might understanding this truth help someone overcome the temptation to try to justify disobeying the Lord’s commandments?

From the account recorded in 1 Samuel 13:15–14:52 we learn that Samuel left Saul, and the Philistines attacked the Israelites. In a misguided effort to receive help from the Lord, Saul forbade his soldiers from eating during a battle with the Philistines. Saul’s son Jonathan was unaware of this command and ate some honey while pursuing the Philistines.

Later in the day, when Saul did not receive revelation about whether his army should attack the Philistines, he concluded that the Lord did not answer because someone in the army had sinned and broken the fast. He swore an oath that whoever had eaten would be put to death. When he learned that Jonathan had eaten some honey, Saul said Jonathan must die. The people defended Jonathan and rescued him from death.

As recorded in 1 Samuel 15, the Lord commanded Saul to destroy all the Amalekites and their livestock (see verse 3). The Amalekites were a murderous people and were enemies of the Lord (see Deuteronomy 25:17–19).

Read 1 Samuel 15:7–9, looking for how Saul responded to the Lord’s command.

We read in 1 Samuel 15:10–14 that the Lord told Samuel about Saul’s disobedience. Samuel traveled to meet Saul and asked him why he had not obeyed the Lord’s command to destroy all the Amalekites and their livestock.

Read 1 Samuel 15:20–24, looking for the reasons Saul gave for his actions.

The following principles can be identified from 1 Samuel 15:7–24: The greatest offering we can give to the Lord is our complete obedience to Him. Seeking to please others rather than the Lord can lead us to disobey His commandments.

2. Answer the following questions:

• Why do you think these principles are important for youth today to understand?

• How does obeying the Lord’s commandments help us to become like Him?

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• If we seek the Lord’s direction through His prophets and seers, they will show us the way we should go.

• Even though we may try to justify our disobedience to the Lord’s commandments, He will hold us accountable.

• The greatest offering we can give to the Lord is our complete obedience to Him.

• Seeking to please others rather than the Lord can lead us to disobey His commandments.

What will you do to make choices that lead to promised blessings? How will you avoid disobedience?

Quiz 1: (1) c; (2) a, b, e

Quiz 2: (1) a; (2) b

Quiz 3: (1) a; (2) b; (3) a