2 Samuel 1 & 2 1. Review: Look over your notes for the six study-lessons of 1 Samuel. Write two or three relevant, lifeapplication principles that have impacted you as you have studied this book. 2. Second Samuel features significant events in the 40-year reign of David. The first half (1-10) narrates David s triumphs, while the second half of the book (13-24) describe his troubles. Describe the account of Saul s death in 1:1-10 and note any differences with the account recorded in 1 Samuel 31:3-6. Why did David respond the way he did in 1:11-16? 3. David does not respond to the news of Saul s death as we might expect. His words and actions instead reveal that David was a man after God s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). What character qualities do you need to grow in as you seek to be a man or woman after God s own heart? 4. The lament in 1:17-27 records David s expression of grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. Write a title that expresses the theme or main idea in this poem. Also, what point was David making in 1:20-22? 5. As we begin chapter two, it has been about 15 years since David was anointed by Samuel, (1 Samuel 16:13). Read 2:1-7 and explain how this passage shows David s desire to be in God s will for his life. What is the personal application for you in these verses? 6. In 2 Samuel 2:8-32, the author describes the rivalry between Abner, (Saul s uncle and the commander of Saul s army) and Joab, (David s cousin and military leader). Read 2:8-11 and describe the political and geographical situation of that time. What happened in 2:12-17? 7. Use the outline below to describe the events in 2:18-32: a. 2:18-23 b. 2:24-28 c. 2:29-32 8. Which passage in chapters 1 and 2 caught your attention the most? Why? 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 1 & 2 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 3-5 1. Review: What areas of personal application have you meditated on from your study of chapters 1 and 2? 2. Before reading the intense narratives of chapters 3 and 4, write a brief description of each of the people listed below, using the verses in parentheses in your research. (a) Joab (2 Samuel 2:13 and 1 Chronicles 2:13-17): (b) Abner (2 Samuel 2:8, 1 Samuel 14:49-51): (c) Ish-Bosheth ( man of shame in Hebrew, 2 Samuel 2:8-10): (d) Michal (1 Samuel 14:49, 18:27, 25:44, and 2 Samuel 3:13): (e) Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah (2 Samuel 3:2-5): 3. In 2:4, David was anointed king over Judah, the southern kingdom, with headquarters in Hebron. At the same time, Ish-Bosheth ruled Israel, the northern kingdom. From 2 Samuel 3:1 and 3:6, what terms were used to describe these two regions? Which side does the writer suggest will eventually emerge victorious in this civil war? 4. Give an overview of the scheming and conspiracy described in 3:6-21. What was the culmination of these events in 3:22-30? 5. Joab carried out another assassination in 2 Samuel 18:14-15; who was his victim? What aspects of David s character are described in 3:31-39? 6. Fill in the blank: Chapter 1 records the murder of an Amalekite, chapter 2 the murder of Asahel, and chapter 3 the murder of Abner. Chapter 4 describes the murder of. What was David s response to this event (4:9-12), and what other aspects of David s character are revealed in these verses? 7. Following the 7 ½ years of blood-stained civil war in chapters 3 and 4, David was made king over Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 5:1-5 and 1 Chronicles 11:1-9). Explain what David did in 5:6-16 to strengthen the unity of the nation. 8. How would you characterize King David s relationship with God from 5:17-25? Do you see anything in David s life from chapter 5 that violated God s standards? 2 Samuel 3-5 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 6-10 1. Review: Give a summary of the situation in Israel and Judah at the end of chapter five. 2. In chapter 6, the ark of God attracts Israel s attention. Where was the ark at this time, who was its custodian, (1 Samuel 6:21-7:1), and what was the significance of the ark in the life of an Israelite? 3. From 2 Samuel 6:1-11, what violations of God s standards (expressed in the Mosaic Law in Numbers 3:38 and 7:9) occurred? What characteristic of God is evidenced in 1 Samuel 6:19-20 and 2 Samuel 6:6-7? 4. Read 2 Samuel 6:12-23, and describe the attitudes and actions of the king and his wife: (a) David (6:14 and 21-22) (b) Michal (6:16, 20) 5. The book of 1 Chronicles, which records many of the same events described in 2 Samuel, includes a psalm of thanksgiving written by David during the events we just read about in chapter 6. Read 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 and then compose your own psalm of thanksgiving in which you remember all the wondrous works that the LORD has done. 6. Chapter 7 includes what has been called the Davidic Covenant. What provisions and promises are given by God in 2 Samuel 7:5-16 (also in 1 Chronicles 17:4-14)? 7. What aspects of God s character are brought out in 2 Samuel 7:18-29 and what attitudes and motivations of David s heart do you see in this same passage? 8. Chapter 8 tells of a great expansion of the nation of Israel through military force and God s sovereign influence. In chapter 9, we see another aspect of David s character. Read 9:1-13, then write a brief account of this story and highlight the part that stands out to you. 9. David s covenant loyalty toward God (chapters 6 and 7) and toward Jonathan (chapter 9) set an example for the people to follow. In chapter 10, we see this same kind of behavior toward the king of a neighboring nation. Describe what David did in 10:2 and the results in 10:3-19. 2 Samuel 6-10 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 11-14 1. Review: From 2 Samuel chapters 6 through 10, select one event in which David was involved that interested you the most and explain why. 2. In his book, David, Walter Chantry says that the biographies of great men and women in the Bible can be painful to read when their most shameful and criminal sins are catalogued for all to see. David s tragic sin in 2 Samuel reminds us that all kinds of sinful inclinations lurk in the shadows of our hearts still. To the last breath we must all watch and pray as Jesus taught in Matt. 26:41. Read 2 Samuel chapter 11:1-27, and outline this passage, giving each section a one or two sentence title: a. 11:1-5 b. 11:6-13 c. 11:14-21 d. 11:22-27 3. What principles or lessons do you find in chapter 11 that you could apply in your life when dealing with temptations to sin? 4. Read chapter 12:1-25 and describe the scene in the narrative that brought out your strongest emotional response and share with your growth group why you responded this way. 5. Two different Psalms record the emotional and spiritual condition of David s life during this time. Read Psalm 32:1-11 and Psalm 51:1-19 and identify what attributes of God are emphasized by David in these two Psalms. Which of these attributes of God are most relevant for you today? 6. The saga of sin continues in chapters 13 and 14. Write a summary of the story in 13:1-19. What were the violations of God s holy standards by David s son Amnon? 7. The sorrow and tragedy in the house of David continue in chapter 13:20-39. From this passage, how long did Absalom harbor his attitudes of vengeance and hate and how did eventually act on them? What was David doing about the sinful actions of his children during these events? 2 Samuel 11-14 Fall 2012
8. Chapter 14 tells how Joab, the commander of David s troops, used a subtle deception to help David reunite with Absalom. Briefly describe how Joab s plan unfolded in 14:1-20 and the outcome in 14:21-33. 2 Samuel 11-14 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 15-20 1. Review: What was the difference between Saul s confession of his sin and subsequent actions (1 Samuel 15:24-25, 30) and David s confession and ensuing behavior (2 Samuel 12:13, 15-23)? 2. Read 2 Samuel 15:1-12, and write a list of words that come to mind in describing Absalom. Also, where was Hebron and what was the significance of this city (see 2 Samuel 2:4 and 3:2)? 3. The news of Absalom s rebellion quickly reached David (15:13). How did David respond? As you read the last part of chapter 15 (15:15-37), which passage was of most interest to you? How would you describe David at this time? 4. In chapter 16, there are three events, each of which relates in some way to David s escape from Jerusalem. Describe each section with a single sentence. a. 16:1-4 (read 2 Samuel 19:24-28 to get the rest of the story ) b. 16:5-14 c. 16:15-23 5. What do you think of the advice Ahithophel gave to Absalom in 16:20-22 and 17:1-4? Seeking a second opinion, what counsel did Absalom get in 17:5-14? How did Ahithophel respond when he learned his counsel had been spurned and rejected (17:23)? 6. The violent and bloody consequences of this national strife in Israel spill over into chapter 18. Verse 18:33 marks the climactic moment of this chapter. Read the story in 18:1-18. What was David s response in 18:19-32? What aspects of David s character are revealed in his response in 18:33 and 19:1-4? 7. David s elation at having regained the kingdom was undercut by his despair over having lost a son. Read chapter 19:1-43, and describe the various reactions to David s return to Jerusalem. What personal applications do you find in chapter 19? 8. Chapter 20 continues the saga of national conflict and contention between Israelite and Judean factions. Briefly describe the events recorded in chapter 20. 2 Samuel 15-20 Fall 2012
9. What spiritual principles or personal lessons can you develop from this week s study of 2 Samuel chapters 15-20? 2 Samuel 15-20 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 21-22 1. Review: As David fled Jerusalem, he sent the ark of the covenant back into the city, convinced that he return and see it again (2 Samuel 15:24-26). This trust in God is the setting for David s lament in Psalm 3. Read this short psalm and reflect on a time when you were especially aware of God s help and protection in your life. 2. Second Samuel chapters 21-24 are considered to be an appendix to David s career, with several of the events recorded in these four chapters occurring earlier in David s life. These chapters show how intimately the affairs of the people as a whole were tied to the spiritual and moral condition of the king. Read 21:1-3, (note: some 400 years earlier Joshua had made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:14-18), describe the scene in these three verses. 3. Apparently claiming the Mosaic Law (Number 35:31) of death-for-death, the Gibeonites responded to David s inquiry in 21:3-4. What was that response (21:5-6)? What did David do (21:7-9 and 21:13-14)? 4. The rest of chapter 21 (verses 15-22) records the exploits of David and his men against the Philistine armies. Summarize these verses (21:15-22) in a brief paragraph. What was of interest to you in this passage? 5. The theme of deliverance in chapter 21 prepares the reader for the psalm recorded in chapter 22. This chapter is almost identical to Psalm 18 and serves as a theological commentary on the life of David. Give a title for this song (other than the heading in your Bible!) and summarize the content of this chapter with brief summary statements that reflect the theme implied by your title. 6. Read chapter 22 again and describe how the theology expressed in your statements above applies to your life today. 2 Samuel 21-22 Fall 2012
2 Samuel 23-24 1. Review: Chapters 21-24 in 2 Samuel are considered to be an epilogue to this book and describe David s response to various trials, such as war, famine, and disease. From last week s lesson (2 Samuel chapters 21-22), which passage was of most interest to you? 2. The last two chapters of 2 Samuel conclude the epilogue. The poetic theme of chapter 22 continues in chapter 23:1-7 with the passage, Now these are the last words of David. There is a progression in this psalm from the humble son of a Bethlehem commoner (23:1) to the king chosen by the Lord (23:5). Read this passage (23:1-7), and write a one-sentence summary of these verses. 3. In chapter 23:8-39, the author presents a gallery of thirty-seven men who distinguished themselves by their exploits and their service to Israel. The term mighty men (23:8) is a Hebrew phrase for strong and courageous soldiers. A corresponding list also appears in 1 Chronicles 11:10-47. From 23:8-17, who were the three mighty men and for what exploits were known? Who stands out to you among the thirty in 23:18-39? 4. The story recorded in 2 Samuel 24:1-17 is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 21:1-17. The context of the 1 Chronicles account suggests that these events took place late in the reign of David. Read 2 Samuel 24:1-2 and 1 Chronicles 21:1-2. Write a sentence that summarizes, as well as harmonizes, these two passages. 5. Despite Joab s efforts to dissuade King David, the military census was accomplished. What seems to have motivated David to order this count? Why did David respond as he did in 24:10 and what were the consequences of his actions in 24:11-17? 6. Summarize 24:18-25 with a brief paragraph. What personal applications are in this passage? 7. Listed below are personal applications and spiritual principles from 2 Samuel chapters 23-24. Next to each statement, write the verses from chapters 23-24 that correspond to that particular application. When you are finished, identify one principle or application that is most significant to you. a. We never outgrow temptation. b. God may graciously give us time to repent. c. Sins of the heart can do great damage. d. Our sins often involve others. e. True confession and repentance may be costly and difficult. 2 Samuel 23-24 Fall 2012
f. God will graciously forgive our transgressions. 2 Samuel 23-24 Fall 2012