Cataloguing Subjigation, Geopolitical Positioning

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting January 29 to study 2 Samuel 8.  This is a grand overview of David's establishment of Israel in the full extent of Palestine, for the first time since they entered the land.  His influence finally encompasses the whole of the land promised to Abraham.  There are still some rather interesting details that are peculiar in light of David, who he is, where he came from, and what happens to he and other kings later in Israel's history.

Read through the chapter a few times.  It sounds a lot like an old history book with snippets of detail, names, summaries of actions, and so on.  In some sense it can be boring, but on the other hand it can be rather fun if you do it with a map and try to get a sense of the geographical context.  That is also difficult because not everything can be found...

This is one of the times when a very good, large, Bible dictionary becomes handy.  I'll have one or two available on Thursday, but if you can acquire one, you will find it very handy as time goes on.  As you go through the chapter, jot down questions, notes, follow Bible translation cross references, and check out footnotes and other references.  Be sure, when you see a 'translation note' in one, that you also check other translations.  Phone/tablet apps are probably the easiest way to do that.

After you have gone through a few times with your own notes and questions, go back through with the questions below:

• Consider the timing.  'After this' you would think would mean after the preceding chapter, but remember the timing of the last chapter (7:1).  So how you think the editor of this material uses that phrase or what does he mean by it?  Why might he be using it here? What can you learn about his view of what he is compiling?
• Read verse 1 in a few translations.  They're not sure what to do with whatever David did to some city exactly.  It literally reads, 'David took bridle of the mother city from the hand of the Philistines.' What do you make of that?  It could be a place, 'Metheg Hammah' (KJV), but we're not sure where that would be since it's never used elsewhere.  The word is made up of two others: 'bridle' and 'cubit' but cubit is the 'mother' measure, so it's thought that it really means 'foundational' or 'base of all other things', or something; hence 'bridle of the mother' with city.  Considering this reference is never used before, or after, what do you think it means or refers to?
• In Moab David kills two-thirds of the survivors?  Read 1 Samuel 22:1-3, and then remember that David's great grandmother was Naomi (the Moabitess).  Why do you think that with Moab, he's so brutal?
• See if you can find Zobah on a map.  I'll have one to show on Thursday, but it's not that easy to pin down.  On the one I have, it's just above Israel, which puts it between Israel and the Euphrates River.  Yet Hadadezer is on his way to establish his rule at 'the River' which would be north of him.  Why is David harassing him that far north and not on the border with Israel?
• The Arameans from Damascus come out to help (which would put him between two enemies), he defeats them too.  What benefit can you think of for David to take on these foes?  Why's he picking these fights?
• Hamath is even further north, and this king doesn't fight, but brings David gifts.  What is going on for David here?  What is happening to Israel, and to their king?
• David dedicates all the stuff he gets to the Lord.  Why not tithe?  All of what Joram, son of Toi, king of Hamath brings he dedicates to the Lord.  Why do you think he does that?
• In verse 13, it says that David made a name for himself.  Could this be a fulfillment of God's promise in the previous chapter? (7:9) After what David accomplishes, who knows his name?
• Find the 'Valley of Salt' on a map.  He's attacked enemies in the north, he's defeated enemies to he southwest, now more Arameans are defeated in the southeast.  On a map, how secure is Israel now?
• What does it mean that David put garrisons in these places he defeated?  What's the benefit of doing that?
• The chapter winds up with a list of who does what.  What surprises do you see?  Did you catch the name swap?  
• What do David's sons do?  Look up the word here.  What is it really?  Why do you think translators had a real hard time with that?  Why do you think David wants his sons doing such work?

That should keep us busy for a while.  We'll be doing well to get passed the first few verses the way these questions were working out.  It took me two days to get through these!  I hope to see you all Thursday!

Mutual Admiration Society of Legendary Figures (MASLF for short)

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study group meeting January 22 to study 2 Samuel 7.  This is an odd chapter.  Essentially, it's a lot of superlatives connecting rejection and mutual admiration.  God speaks highly of David, so highly it's amazing.  And David speaks highly of God, humbly and meek.  It's so sappy it's sick, and yet, there are vital elements we need to consider emulating in our own relationship with God.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Look for the word usage differences between versions, however many you have.  Jot them down, note the more interesting ones, think of the similarities and differences in word meaning.  The flow of 'plot' or action isn't difficult to follow, but consider that as well.  Who is involved here?  What do they do? Then consider what they say.

After reading through a few times, making your own notes, read through again using the questions below:

• The setting is that all is going well for David.  So why do you think it bothers him that God is still in a 'tabernacle'?
• David speaks to Nathan (who's last name seems to be 'prophet') about his concern and Nathan gives him the 'go ahead'.  Why do you think Nathan would do that?  Try and ignore the rest of the chapter, what do you think Nathan is thinking?
• God corrects Nathan that night in a dream.  The first thing God addresses is the whole, 'tent' issue.  What's God's point about the tent?  Why do you think God is happy in a tent at this time?
• God then recites what He has done for David, and continues into a statement that He will 'build the house of David'.  What do you think God is doing here?  Why do you think God would take the position of 'house-builder' with David, and not the 'house dweller'?
• Verse 9 is worded strangely, in that God will make David's name 'like that of the greatest in the land."  Who else is there?  Who are these 'greatest in the land' of whom God speaks?  What do you think it means for God to word this the way He does?
• God speaks of David's death and descendants.  In a sense, God does not establish David's throne, but Solomon's.  Why word it that way?
• Nathan passes on the word of God to David.  Then David goes and sits in the Lord's presence.  Where do you think David goes?  Why is David able to go there?
• Translations vary with verse 19, especially the ending.  Essentially, it says '...and this the 'torah' of adam (human as made from dust/dirt)...'  Think about that term, 'torah of adam'.  Considering what 'torah' usually means with Scripture, what do you think it's use here might mean?
• David claims that God has done for him what He did because of God's heart and own word.  What do you think David is saying by that?  What do you think he means?
• Verse 22 is what David concludes from what God has done, what he believes about God.  What do you think is interesting about this claim, considering he and his men capture idols from their enemies?
• David then recounts that the people of Israel are unique.  Other people's considered themselves to be 'chosen' by gods to do stuff.  What do you think or see here that makes Israel different?
• Verse 25 is the turn into David's conclusion.  David now asks for what God has promised.  What does this teach you about your relationship with God?  Remember the 'Favor Of God' lessons?  How does this relate?

This isn't a long chapter, but it's not short either.  There's a lot more in it than I went over in these questions.  Be sure to bring your notes and questions as we go through it together.

Don't Touch That!

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting January 15 to study 2 Samuel 6.  This is an interesting chapter.  The details in how the ark is being moved illuminate some problems and misunderstanding by God's people.  The account of this in 1 Chronicles is very lengthy and drawn out.

Read over this chapter a few times.  Picture in your mind what it looks like; what's happening, who's doing what, what's it sound like, what sort of day is it?  As you read through it and imagine the events be sure to imagine the differences between the two attempts to bring the Ark into Jerusalem.  1 Chronicles splits these two attempts into three chapters, 13 and 15 through 16.  Read those, but look specifically at the differences in detail between the two attempts.  1 Chronicles is written from a priestly standpoint, so the emphasis is totally different.  Jot down observations and questions even between the two accounts.

After going through this chapter a few times, go back through with the questions below:

• Why was the Ark at Kiriath Jearim in the first place?  (Go back and read 1 Samuel 6 and 7) 
• The essential detail in Chronicles is the involvement of the Levites following the prescriptions from the Law on treatment of the Ark (Levies carry on poles).  Why do you think the whole involvement of the Levites might have been difficult at this particular stage of Israel's history?
• 1 Chronicles 13:3 says the people did not seek it all the days of Saul.  Why now?  Why not before?  
• All the priests at Nob were killed by Saul (except Abiathar), so how does that help you understand the 'priestly' historical context at this point?
• I said that Chronicles is written from a 'priestly context'.  What do you suspect would be the context of Samuel and Kings then? (consider the three roles of Jesus and that might help)
• Why do you think they would have tried to use a cart first to move the Ark?  Who do you think gave them  the idea? (read back to chapter 6 of 1 Samuel?)
• Who are Ahio and Uzza?  Why involve them in moving the Ark?
• If Uzza reaches out to steady the Ark about to fall, why do you think that would anger God?  What does that tell you about 'good stuff' we might do?
• It says that God struck him for his "error", "irreverent act", "irreverence", and some translations simply skip translating it all together.  Look up the word in the Strong's here.  There's even less, and somewhat contradictory information in another lexicon I have.  This word is only used here, and no where else.  In 1 Chronicles 13:10, it doesn't even have a term, it just says 'because he stretched out his hand on the Ark'.  So, what's happening here?  Why do you think God is so angry that He kills one who has guarded the Ark for many years?
• What is David's response to the death of Uzza? 
• David is angry, but also afraid.  What do you think he's thinking?  He is 'unwilling' to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.  Why do you think he would be 'unwilling'?
• Is there something missing in all this that is present as David goes to fight Philistines?
• They now place it with Obed-Edom.  His name is literally "servant of Edom".  Chronicles makes him out to be a Levite, but that's not mentioned here or later on in 2 Samuel.  Since God blesses him and his house (literally all that is to him), what is God communicating about the Ark?  How do you think this helps us understand what went wrong with Uzza, or does it?
• After 3 months, David hears that God blesses Obed-Edom.  What lesson does David seem to take from this? What do you think David was thinking/feeling before?
• It seems from verse 13 that the Ark is no longer being 'carted' to Jerusalem.  In this edition, there's no real description of any difference nor how David arrived at this particular difference.  Read 1 Chronicles 15:1-15 for a better description of the difference.  So, why do you think how David arrives at his conclusion is omitted there too?  How did he find the 'ordinance'?  Where was it?  Who had it? Why wasn't it used before?
• It's probably easier (and more profitable) to simply examine the difference between how David behaved the first time versus the second time.  So what did you notice as the major differences between how he went about moving the Ark the first time versus the second?
• What was David wearing for the occasion?  Obviously Michal despises David, and then accuses him of 'exposing himself' so we always assume that was all he was wearing, but it doesn't say that.  What other reasons, regardless of what she said, do you think she might have to despise David (whether they're true or not)?
• What do you think is significant that Michal is looking down out of a window as they enter the city?
• It says she despised David 'in her heart'.  Everyone seems to love David, and all he does turns up roses and sunshine.  What do you think is going on with Michal?
• The Ark is placed, sacrifices complete and David gives out gifts.  What do you think is significant about the gifts given?  It's an interesting detail, consistent between the two accounts.
• David blesses the people, which is normally a priests responsibility.  Why do you think David does it and it's okay that David does it?
• David goes home, with the intent to bless his house.  Michal chooses right then to go out to insult him.  What do you think motivated her to choose that time?  
• What did she obviously miss out on by not letting David do what he had in mind?  
• Rash, Michal was rash; but why do you think she was?  What reasons do you think she might have?  Consider her life up to this point.
• The ending statement about Michal is missing in Chronicles as is her insult of David.  What does that tell you about the focus of each?

That should keep us all busy for the evening.  I look forward to seeing everyone Thursday!