Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — 2 Samuel 16:15 – 17:29

Study 11 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 16:15 – 17:29

1. What are the reasons for Ahitophel's first piece of advice to Absalom? What do you think would have been David's first thought (cf. 12:11, 12)? Is this the key to David's rather defeatist attitude?
2. 17:1-14. Was Ahitophel's counsel good? If so, why was it that Husbai's advice won the day?
3. How was David rewarded for his previous generosity? Notice who Shobi was (See 2 Sa. 10:2).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — 2 Samuel 15:1 – 16:14

Study 10 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 15:1 – 16:14

1. How was it that Absalom's 'stole the hearts of the men of Israel'? What do you make of David's reactions here?

2. Contrast the behaviour of Absalom with that of Ittai and Hushai.
3. Consider how the rebellion shows certain men in their true colour (16-1-14). Again note David's reactions.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — 2 Samuel 13:38 – 14:33

Study 9 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 13:38 – 14:33

1. What is laudable in the actions here recorded of (a) Joab and (b) David, and what gives rise to misgivings?
2. How does David's predicament illustrate the situation confronting God with the human race How is the gospel 'solution' at once more far-reaching and more satisfactory than the expedient adopted by David?
3. Study Absalom's character and list his faults.

Note. 14:7. Those who demanded the murderer's death had justification according to the law (see Dt. 19:11-13). The woman based her plea on her own great need.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — 2 Samuel 12:1 – 13:37

Study 8 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 12:1 – 13:37

1. How did God open David's eyes to his sin through Nathan's word's? Are you prepared for Him similarly to open your eyes?
2. What may we learn from chapter 12 about (a) repentance, (b) forgiveness, and (c) discipline? Cf. Ps. 32:3-5; Heb. 12:6, 11.
3. 13:1-37. What lessons emerge from a comparison of Amnon's sin with David's? (What was wrong with the way in which Amnon was treated by () David, and (b) Absalom?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — 2 Samuel 10 and 11

Study 7 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 10 and 11

1. Why is Hanun's treatment of David's envoys inexcusable?
2. Joab shows up in a better light here. What does this add to what we already know of his character?
3. At what stage in his career did David fall? Where should he have been at the time? How did the temptation grow? Was he able to keep his sin secret? Do your answers to these questions, and your reading of the passage, suggest any general lessons about sin?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — 2 Samuel 8 and 9

Study 6 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 8 and 9

1. Use a map to follow the path of David's victories. What
   
   reasons does the writer emphasize for David's success?
   
2. How does David's treatment of the spoils of war differ from the way in which the dealt with the gods of the Philistines captured in battle ( 1 Ch. 14: 8-12)? Is there a reason for this? Cf. Dt. 7:5.
3. Do you see any parallel between David's treatment of Mepibosheth and God's acceptance of us?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — 2 Samuel 7

Study 5 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 7

1. David is eager to build a house for God—God's reply is to make a 'house' for David. List what He has already done, and what He promises for the future.
2. It has been said that what a man is on his knees before God, that he really is. What does David's prayer reveal (a) about himself, (b) about his relation to God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — 2 Samuel 5:17 – 6:23

Study 4 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 5:17 – 6:23

1. Why was it David won these two battles with the Philistines?
2. Why did Uzzah die? Cf. 1 Sa. 6:19; Nu. 4:15; 1 Ch. 15:15. What was God teaching through this incident?
3. What was the real reason for Michal's contempt for David, and what her pretended reason? Why was it David's behaved as he did on this occasion? Can I learn anything from his exuberance 'before the Lord'?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — 2 Samuel 4:1-5:16

Study 3 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 4:1-5:16

1. In what respects was the crime of Rechab and Baanah worse than that of the Amalekite?
2. David waited for seven years for the decision at the beginning of chapter 5. Why did the Israelites now choose him as king? Cf. Dt. 17:15
3. How did David succeed in taking the stronghold of Zion, and why?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — 2 Samuel 2 and 3

Study 2 From the Book of 2 Samuel is: 2 Samuel 2 and 3

1. Compare David's actions as a public figure (2:4-7; 3:20, 21, 28-39) with the trouble he was building up in his family life (3:2-5, 13, 14). Am I in any respect guilty of double standards in my own life?
2. Make a character study of the figures of Abner and Joab from these chapters. Note the relationship of Joab and his brothers to David (Zeruiah was the daughter of David's mother by her first marriage), and David's words in 3:39.

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