DAVID

LESSON 16

Day 1: Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 72 "The Rebellion of Absalom" from p. 735

1.What lessons are there in the section on Shimei and how David responded to his insults that we can take and apply to our own lives?

2.What can we learn about Ahithophel as we study the advice he gives Absalom during this time?

3.As Hushai's advice is given and Absalom responds to it, did you find something that gave you added insight into this story? If so, please share.

4.David is warned and flees to Mahanaim. As you read about the battle between Absalom (Israel) and David and how it ends, did you find something that was new or especially interesting?

Day 2: 2nd Samuel 19:40 - 20:23a

5.19:40-43. It looks like they are so very loyal to David that they are fighting over him now. Briefly summarize.

b) 20:1-2. However it doesn't take much…..what now?

6.20:3. This is so sad. These were probably beautiful young women. Already they were part of a harem, which in and of itself is sad…. but we won't take the time to explore that. Secondly, Absalom used them in the attempted coup of his father's throne. And now, here they are for the rest of their lives. God's advice to kings in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 makes more sense all the time. No questions.

7.20:4-13 with 19:13. Here we get to read another story of Joab's treachery. What happens this time and what effect does it have on the men of Judah?

8.20:14-22. How is Sheba's rebellion resolved? And is there anything we can learn in this woman's example?

9.Psalm 10 with 2nd Samuel 20:23a. Twice Joab has revengefully murdered unsuspecting, innocent men. And David does nothing; indeed verse 23a tells us that Joab was restored to the head of David's army. As we read Psalm 10, think about what you find as compared to Joab in these murders. We don't know for sure that David was the writer of this psalm, but since it often appears as a part of Psalm 9 in ancient manuscripts, it may well have been. And so, with this in mind, you may want to contrast what is said in this psalm with how David deals with Joab in these situations.

Day 3: 2nd Samuel 20:23 - 21:14

10.20:23-25. Here we have another look at the make-up of David's court. Although there are no questions, make note of what you find.

11.21:1-2 with Joshua 9. Review the history of the Gibeonites from Joshua 9. Now look at how God views their situation. Share what you find here.

12.21:3-9. How does David settle this issue with the Gibeonites? Keep in mind that these men are his nephews through his marriage to Michal.

13.21:10. Think of her loss! The barley harvest came in the Spring and the rains began in the Fall. What does Rizpah do?

14.21:11-14. What does David do when he hears about it? With what results?

Personal: This was another hard section to read. It's hard to reconcile these stories of long-term consequences of Saul's sins impacting his grandchildren and now his great-grandchildren in such a horrible way with what we find elsewhere in Scripture about God's love. God Himself has prepared us for this in Exodus 34:5-7, where in making this declaration He is showing Moses His glory. Does this give you one more cause to reflect upon how important repentance is?

15.21:15-22. This is the record of the final Philistine wars. David is now an older man. As you read, please make note of anything that you find that is particularly interesting.

Days 4 - 5: Note References Below

16.2nd Samuel 24:1-3 with 1st Chronicles 21:1-3. There is a major discrepancy in these two accounts. The writer of 2nd Samuel names God as the one behind this census, 1st Chronicles names Satan. What do we do with that? There are a couple of things to keep in mind:

First, neither book was written by Nathan or Gad, who were the prophets during David's reign, although both 1st and 2nd Samuel contain portions of their writings. Both books were written after David's death; 2nd Samuel is believed to have been written during Solomon's reign and 1st Chronicles after the Jews' exile and return to Jerusalem. So these statements are the writer's commentary rather than first-hand known fact.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the earlier the Hebrew writer, the more common the belief to ascribe to God the responsibility for what He allows. This is seen in Exodus where the "LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart" during the plagues, even though we see over and over in that account that Pharaoh was responsible for his own hardened heart. And 2nd Samuel was written several hundred years before 1st Chronicles.

We also see in the book of Job that God allowed Satan to destroy everything belonging to him, including his10 children, to test his faith. This would be similar to God allowing Satan to come to David with this temptation for the purpose of testing his faith. The nation is now at peace, there were no more wars and thus there is no possible reason for David to number his military force. Let's go ahead and study this event. What is Joab's reaction to this suggestion?

17.For someone like Joab to be so worried about this census, there must have been something for him to know. Indeed there was. Look at the following references and note what is emphasized.

Deuteronomy 7:7-13, 17-24, Deut. 8:7-10, Deut. 9:1-3, Deut. 11:8-12, Deut. 11:22-25, Deut. 20:1-4,

Deut 26:18-19, Deut. 30:19-20. (I know that this looks like a lot of references, but it will be important for our study on the census.)

b) Deut. 17:18-20. The above references were all taken from Moses' final address to Israel before entering the Promised Land. They are also a part of what David was to be writing out and studying on a daily basis. As you have reviewed them, what do you see as the relative importance of Israel's dependence upon God?

18.Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Look carefully at the results promised to Israel if they "fully obey the Lord and carefully follow all his commands." As you read this list, are you able to think of anything we've studied in our lessons on David that were a direct fulfillment of these promises? If so, please share.

19.2nd Samuel 24:4-13 with 1st Chronicles 21:4-12. How does this census sit with Joab?

b) David?

c) God?

Day 6: 2nd Samuel 24:10-25, 1st Chronicles 21:8-30 with Psalms 28 & 30

20.24:10-14 with 1st Chronicles 21:8-13. David has brought guilt upon Israel. He is deeply convicted, and yet, there are still terrible consequences. Compare what happens in these verses with the list of curses that we find in Deuteronomy 28:15, 20-25. As you read, remember that God was angry, not just with David but with Israel, from 24:1. If we don't enlarge the perspective of what we are reading, we will be left with the conclusion that God slew 70,000 people for David's sin of counting his soldiers. There has to be a bigger picture. Please share your thoughts on this once you've read all of the references.

21.24:15-25 with 1st Chronicles 21:14-27. How does it end?

22.1st Chronicles 21:28 - 22:1. What does David decide as a result?

23.Psalm 28. Although we don't know when this was written, there is a lot in it that fits with what we have just read. Please read this psalm and think about what David and Israel have just been through. Share what you find that is fitting.

24.Psalm 30. This psalm is believed to have been written after the census and plague. David wrote it to commemorate the experience with God's mercy of stopping the plague and his decision to build the temple on the threshing floor. Read and note anything that has special meaning, not only for this experience, but for your life as well.

© 2000 pjw