Dramatic Escapes
Bible Study Guide
1. David Escapes Saul
King Saul's daughter Michal helped her husband, the future King David, escape King Saul. When King Saul's messengers came to Michal's house for David, Michal helped him escape from a window. Then she placed an idol, called teraphim, in her bed and pretended she was sick and sent the messengers away. A few chapters later, Saul gave Michal in marriage to another man. Saul's son Jonathan also helped David stay safe from the wrath of Saul.
I Samuel 19
2. The Fiery Furnace
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego escaped the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzer had commanded that all of the people were to bow down to the giant gold statue whenever the instruments played. Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to a false god. Nebuchadnezzer ordered that the furnace be made seven times hotter than usual; the soldiers who threw them in the furnace perished in the heat. Everyone could see four men walking around inside the furnace....our three heros and an angel who protected them. Nebuchadnezzer called them out of the furnace and wrote a decree that no one could say anything against the God of the Jews.
Daniel 3
3. Baby Jesus
Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus escaped from Pharaoh to Egypt. King Herod learned of the birth of a king in Bethlehem from the Wise Men. Because the Wise Men did not return to Herod to tell him where the king was located, Herod ordered that all of the young boys in the vicinity of Bethlehem be killed. An angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. They stayed in Egypt until the death of Herod.
Matthew 2
4. Adultress
Jesus helped the woman caught in the act of adultery to escape stoning. The woman had been caught in the act of adultery. (There is no mention of the man she was caught with. ) The scribes and Pharisees had intended to test Jesus, to see if he would be faithful to the law, and Jesus adroitly saved the woman while honoring the law.
John 8
5. Peter Escapes Prison
With the help of angels, Peter escaped prison and execution. An angel came to Peter in the prison. The guards fell asleep, Peter's chains fell off, the doors miraculously opened, and the angel led him out of the prison. Peter walked to the house of Mary, where the believers were gathered in prayer for Peter. The servant Rhoda came to the door. She was so happy she rushed to tell the others, but left Peter standing at the door.
Acts 12
6. Paul's Escape
Paul's friends in Damascus helped him escape out of a window. After Paul's conversion in Damascus, he preached the Word to the residents for many days. Because the city gates were closely watched, his friends lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. Paul then went to Jerusalem to join the other disciples.
Acts 9
7. Paul and Silas
In Philippi, Paul and Silas were freed from their bonds in an earthquake. Paul and Silas had been beaten and placed in stocks. While they were singing hymns of praise, an earthquake opened the doors and broke their chains. The jailer drew his sword and was about to take his own life, and then Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" Then the jailer believed in Christ, and he took Paul and Silas to his home for the night. Paul and Silas were released the next day.
Acts 16