WorksheetsKings Saul
Total questions: 64
Worksheet time: 32mins
Which books narrate the transition from Israel’s judges to its monarchy?
Joshua and Judges together
Kings and Isaiah primarily
Ruth and Chronicles mainly
1 and 2 Samuel originally
During what approximate period did Saul and David’s reigns occur?
Around 1025–965 BC
About 1200–1100 BC
Roughly 900–850 BC
Nearly 700–650 BC
Name the external threat that pressured Israel in the early monarchy era.
(a)
What major themes frame the narratives of Saul and David?
Warfare, trade, architecture
Agriculture, law codes, festivals
Leadership, covenant, God’s authority
Prophecy, poetry, wisdom literature
Which chapters focus on Israel’s request for a king and the shift to monarchy?
Judges 1–3 primarily
1 Samuel 1–3 mainly
1 Samuel 8–12 chiefly
2 Samuel 10–12 mostly
After the era of the judges, what internal condition increased Israel’s desire for a king?
Stable tribal alliances
United monarchy already formed
Abundant harvests nationwide
Instability and corrupt judges
Explain one reason the people asked, “Give us a king.”
To avoid paying any tribute
To abolish tribal elders entirely
To secure military success against enemies
To replace the temple priesthood
Identify who ultimately holds kingship over Israel, even when human kings reign.
The council of tribal elders
God as Israel’s true king
The high priest of Shiloh
The prophet in office
Compare Saul’s and David’s narrative focus: which chapters cover each leader?
Saul 1 Sam 1–8; David 2 Sam 1–7
Saul 2 Sam 5–10; David 1 Sam 20–31
Saul Judges 1–5; David 1 Sam 6–10
Saul 1 Sam 9–15; David 1 Sam 16–2 Sam 24
Which consequence did Samuel warn might come with human kingship in Israel?
Reduced taxes and lighter burdens
Mandatory tithes and public worship
Drafted armies and forced labor
Autonomy for tribes and local judges
Fill in the blank: Samuel taught that (a) remains essential whether or not Israel has a king.
A king “may oppress like foreign rulers.” Which scenario best illustrates this risk?
Promoting covenant faithfulness among elders
Encouraging prophets to critique injustice
Establishing fair courts for all clans
Imposing heavy taxes and conscripting sons
Evaluate the statement: Having a monarchy guarantees Israel’s faithfulness. What is the most accurate assessment?
Accurate, because kings enforce covenant laws
Accurate, since kings replace prophetic guidance
Inaccurate, faithfulness depends on obedience
Inaccurate, monarchy eliminates moral agency
Who anointed Saul as king over Israel?
Eli the priest
Gad the advisor
Nathan the seer
Samuel the prophet
After an early victory against the Ammonites, what began Saul’s decline?
Persistent disobedience
Military inexperience
Foreign alliances
Economic pressures
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul’s key mistake involved offering a sacrifice without waiting for whom?
Samuel to arrive
David to counsel
Priests from Shiloh
Jonathon to assemble
Fill in the blank: Saul spared (a) and the best livestock from the Amalekites, showing disobedience.
What best explains why God ‘regretted’ making Saul king?
Repeated disobedience
Insufficient courage
Poor military tactics
Lack of royal lineage
Which scenario shows Saul’s jealousy toward David most clearly?
Dismissal of royal advisors
Resentment of songs praising David
Refusal to fight Philistines directly
Ban on worship at Gibeon
You are advising a leader after an early victory. Based on Saul’s story, which counsel best prevents decline?
Delay decisions until crises escalate
Delegate sacrifices to soldiers
Obey revealed commands consistently
Prioritize public acclaim constantly
Which event marks David’s formal selection as future king of Israel?
Appointment as royal musician
Anointing by Samuel with oil
Public coronation in Jerusalem
Victory over the Philistines
Fill in the blank: David defeats (a) using a sling and stone in 1 Samuel 17.
What role did David first perform in Saul’s court?
Royal scribe recording decrees
Military general leading armies
Priestly assistant offering sacrifices
Skilled musician soothing Saul
Which verse teaches that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearance?
1 Samuel 17 recounts battlefield courage
Romans 9:6–18 explains election
1 Samuel 13:14 praises obedience
1 Samuel 16:7 emphasizes inner character
Identify the reason most closely associated with David’s favor over Saul.
Described as a man after God’s heart
Tall stature admired by Israel
Older age and battle experience
Royal birth in Saul’s lineage
Which statement best explains a theological theme of David’s selection?
Prophets select by family seniority
Popular vote establishes rulers
Physical strength determines kingship
God’s choice can be unexpected
What evidence shows David’s rise to power among the people?
He dethroned Saul immediately
He taxed surrounding nations
He became popular with Israel
He built the first temple
In two recorded incidents, what does David do regarding Saul’s life?
Exiles Saul to Philistia
Challenges Saul to duel
Spares Saul’s life twice
Imprisons Saul briefly
Which passage records Saul acknowledging David’s future kingship?
1 Samuel 24:20 reports recognition
1 Samuel 16:1–13 lists sons
Romans 9:6–18 discusses mercy
1 Samuel 17 describes armor
Fill in the blank: David is called “a man after (a) ” in 1 Samuel 13:14.
If you were summarizing why David’s obedience mattered, which choice best captures its effect on leadership?
Consistent obedience aligned him with God
Family birth order ensured succession
Public acclaim guaranteed divine favor
Occasional bravery replaced covenant law
A student claims David was chosen because he was the tallest of Jesse’s sons. Which response best counters this claim using scriptural teaching?
Height symbolizes royal authority
Military success proves divine choice
Firstborn sons receive automatic rule
God values the heart over appearance
Which statement best describes David’s initial rule after Saul’s death?
He ruled all tribes at once
He served as judge without title
He reigned only over Judah first
He governed from Jerusalem immediately
Identify the biblical passage associated with David becoming king over all Israel.
2 Samuel 5:1–5
2 Samuel 2:1–4
2 Samuel 6:12–19
2 Samuel 7:2
Fill in the blank: David strengthened his kingdom through effective (a) .
Why was choosing Jerusalem as the capital politically wise for David?
It was near Philistine borders
It was neutral tribal territory
It was Judah’s oldest city
It had fertile farmland
What title did Jerusalem gain after David’s conquest?
Temple Mount City
Capital of Judah
Fortress of Zion
City of David
Which action symbolized centralizing worship in David’s reign?
Recruiting elite soldiers
Building foreign alliances
Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem
Taxing northern tribes heavily
Match each event with its associated Scripture reference.
David king over Judah
David king over all Israel
Conquest of Jerusalem
Ark brought into the city
Which factor helped David unify the tribes under his rule?
Diplomacy and military victories
Maritime trade with Tyre
Strict tribal taxation policies
Prophetic denunciations of Saul
Fill in the blank: After conquering Jerusalem, David made it the (a) .
Evaluate the strategic benefits of moving the Ark to Jerusalem. Which option best explains the outcome?
It linked national worship to the new capital
It ended all tribal rivalries immediately
It fulfilled the Mosaic law on kingship
It reduced priestly influence in Shiloh
Which desire did David express regarding worship infrastructure?
To move priests to Hebron
To store the Ark in Gibeon
To build a temple
To abolish sacrifices
How did David’s reign connect monarchy with God’s covenant promises?
By centering worship and affirming divine promises
By expanding trade routes to surrounding nations
By drafting a royal taxation code
By appointing judges from every tribe
Which promise defines God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7?
A covenant ending after exile
A return to judges over Israel
A temporary throne for Solomon only
A perpetual dynasty from David’s line
Which Psalms passage is cited as supporting hope for the Messiah through David’s line?
Psalm 2:1–3 promise to nations
Psalm 23:1–4 shepherd imagery
Psalm 51:10–12 repentance prayer
Psalm 89:3–4 covenant assurance
Fill in the blank: In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the (a) of David.
What immediate wrongdoing begins the narrative of David’s moral failure in 2 Samuel 11?
Illegally offering sacrifice at Hebron
Numbering Israel’s fighting men
Sin with Bathsheba at Jerusalem
Conspiring against Saul’s heirs
Which action did David arrange to conceal his sin, according to 2 Samuel 11:14–17?
Exile of Nathan the prophet
Uriah’s death in battle lines
Burning of palace records
Bribery of military commanders
Who confronts David with a parable exposing his guilt in 2 Samuel 12?
Abiathar the priest of Nob
Gad the seer of David
Joab the commander of armies
Nathan the prophet of Israel
Fill in the blank: As a consequence of David’s sin, his (a) experienced turmoil (2 Samuel 12:11).
What strategy did Absalom use to gain support before rebelling, as described in 2 Samuel 15:1–6?
Bribing priests at the tabernacle
Conquering neighboring Philistine cities
Exploiting weaknesses in royal justice
Promising tax cuts to wealthy nobles
Which event forced David to leave the capital during Absalom’s uprising?
Siege of Samaria by Assyrians
David’s flight from Jerusalem
Destruction of the temple
Philistine invasion of Judah
Fill in the blank: Absalom’s rebellion led to (a) within Israel.
According to 2 Samuel 18:33, how did David respond to Absalom’s death?
Celebrated victory over enemies
Declared a fast for seven days
Expressed profound grief and sorrow
Immediately crowned Solomon king
Which statement best connects the covenant and the later turmoil in David’s house?
Messiah expectations cease with Uriah’s death
The covenant is revoked after Absalom’s revolt
Nathan’s rebuke cancels royal promises
The eternal dynasty persists despite David’s failures
Which statement best captures David’s legacy in Israel’s history?
Ideal ruler but morally compromised
Faultless monarch without failures
Minor tribal leader with little impact
Foreign conqueror who displaced Israel
In 2 Samuel 7, what is strengthened during David’s reign?
Temple priestly hierarchy
Egypt’s trade dominance
Philistine military power
Israel’s national identity
The Psalms are often linked to which tradition?
Priestly laws of Leviticus
Prophetic oracles of Amos
Solomonic wisdom literature
Davidic worship and authorship
Fill in the blank: David’s kingship is seen as a foreshadowing of the (a) .
According to 2 Samuel 5, what was one positive outcome of establishing the monarchy?
Unity among the tribes
Immediate end to warfare
Permanent peace with neighbors
Elimination of idolatry
Events in 2 Samuel 13 and 15 highlight which problem within human kingship?
Corruption and violence
Economic prosperity
Prophetic revival
Legal reform success
Use the scene of the procession with palm branches to infer meaning: How does public celebration of a king relate to the text’s claim about human rulers?
Festivals end corruption and violence
Celebrations prove divine approval of rulers
Public honor guarantees perfect justice
Crowds may praise, yet kings still fail
Which conclusion aligns with Psalm 93:1 in this unit’s theme of kingship?
Human kings are always righteous
Ultimate authority belongs to God
Prophets hold highest earthly power
Monarchies guarantee lasting unity
