Leadership in Israel: Saul
15 Grade 8 Religious Education (CRE) questions on Leadership in Israel: Saul, with worked marking schemes. 15 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markA learner reading about Israel's first king discovered that Saul lost God's favour because of disobedience. In 1 Samuel 15, what specific act of disobedience led to Saul's rejection as king?
A. He worshipped a golden calf
B. He spared King Agag and the best animals instead of destroying everything as commanded
C. He married a foreign wife
D. He counted the fighting men of Israel
(1 mark)
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1 markBefore the battle at Gilgal, Saul grew impatient waiting for Samuel and offered the burnt offering himself. This action was wrong because
A. he offered it at the wrong time of day
B. he used the wrong type of animal
C. he had not consulted the elders
D. offering sacrifices was the duty of the priest, not the king
(1 mark)
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6 marksRead the scenario: A newly elected youth chairperson ignores the advice of his committee, misuses group funds, and grows jealous of a talented member.
(a) Identify two qualities of a bad leader shown by Saul that this chairperson is displaying.
(b) Suggest four lessons Christian leaders today can learn from the leadership of Saul.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any 2 (1 mark each, must relate to Saul): disobedience; jealousy of others (as Saul was jealous of David); pride; failure to listen to God's servant/advisers; misuse of authority. (b) Any 4 (1 mark each): leaders should obey God and their guiding authority; leaders should not be jealous of talented people but appreciate them; leaders should be humble and not proud; leaders should keep their promises; leaders should seek God's guidance in decisions; leaders should use resources honestly.
Question 4
1 markAfter the Israelites demanded a king like other nations, the prophet Samuel anointed the first king of Israel. According to 1 Samuel, who was this first king?
A. A. David, son of Jesse
B. B. Solomon, son of David
C. C. Saul, son of Kish
D. D. Samuel, son of Elkanah
(1 mark)
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4 marksDuring a CRE lesson on leadership, learners discussed how King Saul lost God's favour after he was anointed as the first king of Israel. Explain two ways in which King Saul disobeyed God during his reign. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Two ways Saul disobeyed God (any two, well explained): - He offered the burnt sacrifice himself at Gilgal instead of waiting for the prophet Samuel as instructed, taking on a priestly role that was not his (1 Samuel 13:8-14). - In the war against the Amalekites he spared King Agag and kept the best of the livestock instead of destroying everything as God had commanded through Samuel (1 Samuel 15:7-9). When confronted, he disobeyed God's command of total destruction. (Also acceptable: he consulted the medium/witch at Endor instead of seeking God - 1 Samuel 28:7-8; he became jealous and tried to kill David - 1 Samuel 18-19.) Because of his disobedience, God rejected Saul as king (1 Samuel 15:23, 26).
Question 6
1 markGod finally rejected Saul as king after he spared King Agag and the best animals in the war against the Amalekites. Through Samuel, God taught Saul that
A. to obey is better than sacrifice
B. animals should always be spared
C. the Amalekites were friends of Israel
D. kings should never go to war
(1 mark)
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3 marksDespite his failures, Saul had good qualities when he began his reign. State three positive qualities of Saul as a leader.
(3 marks)
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1 markSaul, the son of Kish, belonged to the tribe of
A. Benjamin
B. Levi
C. Ephraim
D. Judah
(1 mark)
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1 markThe Israelites demanded a king from the prophet Samuel mainly because
A. they wanted to be like the other nations around them
B. they had defeated all their enemies
C. God had commanded them to appoint a king
D. Samuel had refused to lead them
(1 mark)
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1 markWhen Samuel first met Saul, Saul was on a journey searching for his father's
A. stolen sheep
B. missing camels
C. lost donkeys
D. runaway servants
(1 mark)
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6 marksIn a class discussion, learners examined how Saul, the first king of Israel, lost God's favour.
(a) Describe two occasions on which King Saul disobeyed God. (4 marks)
(b) State two lessons Christian leaders today can learn from the failures of Saul. (2 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Occasions of disobedience (any two, fully described): - At Gilgal, Saul became impatient when Samuel delayed and offered the burnt sacrifice himself instead of waiting for the prophet, taking on a role that was not his (1 Samuel 13:8-14). - In the war against the Amalekites, God commanded Saul to destroy everything completely, but he spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, then claimed they were for sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:7-23). (b) Lessons for Christian leaders today (any two): - Leaders should be obedient to God's instructions, for 'to obey is better than sacrifice' (1 Samuel 15:22). - Leaders should be patient and trust in God's timing rather than acting rashly. - Leaders should take responsibility for their mistakes and repent sincerely instead of making excuses or blaming others.
Question 12
4 marksSaul was rejected by God as king of Israel. State four reasons why God rejected Saul.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any 4 (1 mark each): He disobeyed God's instructions; he offered a sacrifice which was the priest's duty instead of waiting for Samuel; he failed to destroy the Amalekites completely and spared King Agag; he spared the best of the animals contrary to God's command; he made rash vows/oaths (e.g., forbidding his soldiers to eat); he consulted a medium (the witch of Endor); he became jealous of David and tried to kill him.
Question 13
1 markA Grade 8 learner read how King Saul lost God's favour. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeyed God during the war against the Amalekites. What was Saul's act of disobedience?
A. A. He spared King Agag and the best of the livestock instead of destroying everything
B. B. He refused to go to war altogether
C. C. He worshipped the Amalekite gods
D. D. He gave the spoils to the poor
(1 mark)
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1 markTowards the end of his reign, when God no longer answered him, Saul disobeyed his own decree and sought guidance from
A. a medium (the witch of Endor)
B. the prophet Nathan
C. the high priest at Jerusalem
D. the elders of Israel
(1 mark)
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1 markWhen Samuel privately anointed Saul, the sign he used to set Saul apart as leader was
A. giving him a sword
B. pouring oil on his head and kissing him
C. clothing him in royal robes
D. placing a crown on his head
(1 mark)
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