Not Another Nathan

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting March 12 to study 2 Samuel 14.  This is a really strange story.  The 'story-within-the-story' bothers me because I find it difficult to connect to the overall story.  There are a variety of problems with it, one of which is timing, especially toward the end.

As always, please read the chapter through a few times.  You may have read ahead, but if you didn't, go ahead and do so now.  But come back and re-read this chapter a few times after that.  Jot down questions, insights, lessons learned, and details that you had missed before that jump out at you now.

After reading through several times, go back through using the questions below:

• Hebrew prepositions are pretty simple, and therefore have a huge range of interpretation.  The basic meaning in verse 1 is that the king's heart was 'on' Absalom.  This can also mean 'against', as in you 'lean against a wall' but also as in an adversary.  Consider the various translations you have, some on The Blue Letter Bible.  What do you think Joab 'saw' that he figured what was going on? What do you think David was doing that indicated his heart was 'on' Absalom?
• Tekoa is in Judah (see map below).  Why do you think Joab goes there? Was it 'famous for wisdom'? Did he know of one particular 'wise woman'? Was it simply somewhere if Judah Joab knew David didn't know anyone? Is that even possible?
• Joab 'put words in her mouth' (however a translation words it, that's how it was originally worded).  So, why do you think he need a 'wise woman' if it's his wisdom she's speaking?
• Read Numbers 35:6-28 and Deuteronomy 19:1-13.  The 'avenger' is the word for 'kinsman redeemer' as in Ruth.  What do you think of this legal system in dealing with murders and manslaughter issues?  Considering the rules as they are related here (and keep in mind Numbers is an older witness of them than Deuteronomy), what was supposed to happen to Absalom?
• Considering the story that the woman tells, how does her story relate to Absalom through these rules of the kinsman-avenger versus man-slayer?
• The connection between her story and Absalom may be tenuous (and I think it is), but what do you think about her application of it to David?  What do you think of what she claims are the effects of David's refusal to relent toward Absalom?
• So what do you think it mean for/to Absalom that he be allowed to come back 'free-and-clear'?  How do you think that sets up the rest of the story?
• What do you think of Joab's response to being called out by the king?  What does that tell you of Joab's attitude toward David?
• Why do you think David would let Absalom come back but not see him?  What do you think David was trying to achieve or prevent?
• From verses 25 through 27, what do you think of Absalom?  How do you think he saw himself?
• What about this 'Tamar', why do you think there is another?
• What do you think is more likely, that Absalom waits two years before beginning to summon Joab, or that over two years, he summons him twice, then after 2 years burns his field?
• Why do you think, after having gone through all of this to get Absalom back, does Joab not go see him when he is called for?
• What does it tell you about Absalom that he summons twice, then sets Joab's field on fire to get his attention.  What sort of person is Absalom?
• What do you think if Absalom's statement to either kill him or restore him fully?  What do you think David should have done?

That, and other stuff in this chapter, should keep us plenty busy.  Remember to bring your notes and questions to share in the group.  See you Thursday!