Deadly Lack of Discretion

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 19 to study 2 Samuel 11.  Well, this is the one we all seem to know best.  This is where the life of David becomes a tragic 'soap opera'.  For him this is the turning point where so much of his life seems to slide downhill.  I can probably come up with a lot of other descriptive cliche's but you get the picture.

Per my usual instructions, read the chapter through a few times.  There's a better than even chance that you will find details you had always missed before.  You will probably notice elements to the story that you've never heard.  Please jot these down so we can discuss them Thursday.  One element that dawned on me is how many people in David's household were involved in all of this.  I always thought of it as some big secret, but seriously, there's no way.  What were some you noticed?

After reading it through several times, jotting down observations and questions, read it through again with the questions below:

• It may have been the season when kings go out to war, but how odd do you think it was for David to remain in Jerusalem?  What do you think might be wrong here?
• David walks about on the roof in the evening.  What do you think might be wrong with this?
• While on the roof he sees some woman bathing, and she's pretty.  What do you think is wrong so far?
• David inquires about her.  How do you think he accomplishes this? Who else is now involved?
• What about David's inquiry do you think might be a problem?
• After finding out about her, he then sends for her.  Now we've obviously crossed a line.  This is clearly wrong.  How do you think David got to this place?  
• How long do you think it took, from seeing her from the roof, inquiry, to sending for her?
• David sends, but they 'take' her, but she goes with them (read verse 4 in as many translations as you have available).  So, how much do you think was coercion, and how much was her willingness?
• The NIV seems to imply this takes place after her 'period' (see Leviticus 15), but look at other translations as well, especially if you have a New American Standard.  It's certainly possible, otherwise it's confusing.  What are some interesting things we know now about such timing? (i.e.the 'calendar method'?)
• So, the 'calendar method' doesn't work for them (what a surprise).  She sends to David letting him know she's pregnant.  As king, why do you think this is a big deal for him?
• David sends for Uriah the Hittite.  He comes and David asks about the people fighting.  In each case, he uses the term, 'shalom'.  What does that tell you about the term we normally think of as some sort of divine peace?
• Uriah refuses to go to his own house, but remains with David's servants.  Consider the elements of Uriah's reason given to David.  What kind of character does Uriah show here?  What sort of guy is this Uriah?
• What do you think of Uriah's 'oath' in stating he will not do such a thing as go home?
• David then tries getting Uriah drunk, but he still doesn't go home.  How is Uriah looking now?
• Take a second, and consider Bathsheba.  How do you think she feel about her husband's devotion? If this is his character then in their life together, where is she in his 'pecking order'?
• David sends Uriah back to Joab with a note...Uriah carries his own death warrant.  What do you think Joab thinks when he reads the note Uriah carries?
• Joab complies, but it costs more than just Uriah.  How is David looking to you right now?  What do you feel as you read this particular piece?  That emotion is what the writer/editor is trying to evoke in the people of his day.  Why do you think he would do that?  What do you think is his point?
• Joab sends a messenger back to David and gives him some rather strange details, guessing David will refer to a historical tactical lesson.  Read Judges 9 to get the back story on the 'lesson'.  But the messenger seems to jump to the part about Uriah without waiting.  What would you think if I told you that the older Greek text has David saying exactly what Joab expected?
• What does it reveal to you about the historical setting that the story in Judges is so well known, that such stories are 'lessons' in tactics and God?
• David is then consolatory with the messenger's return message to Joab.  What do you think the messenger thinks?  Consider only what he knows, what do you think he thought of all this?
• For propriety, Bathsheba mourns for Uriah.  When the time is over, David brings her into his house.  What do you think everyone else thinks?  
• Remember what the messenger knows.  Do you think he can connect the dots yet?
• Do you think that after the battle the other soldiers moved a few more blocks away from the palace?
• What do you think about the very last verse of the chapter?

That should keep us busy for two weeks, but we'll see if we can get it into one.  Remember to bring your questions, observations, and differences between how you thought it went and how you see it now.   I look forward to seeing everyone Thursday!