Pouting to Death

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 2 to study 2 Samuel 17.  This chapter has some danger, intrigue, spurious family lineage, out-and-out bold-faced lying, and grown-up deadly pouting.  It's fun!

Read through the chapter several times.  This is another place where those boring genealogies may come in handy.  Knowing who is connected to whom, and how may be instructive.  Just keep in mind the uncertainty that the same name isn't necessarily the same person.  Jot down questions and insights you gain along the way, and bring these with you Thursday.

After reading through a few times, go back through with the questions below:

• Before, Ahithophel is asked about what to do (16:20), but now Ahithophel volunteers his advice.  Why do you think Ahithophel is in such a hurry?  What do you think he's up to with his advice?
• Consider who David has with him, the bodyguard, the 'Three', the sons of Zeruiah, Beniniah (the guy int he pit with a lion on a snowy day-dude), and so on.  How likely do you think it is that Ahithophel and 12,000 are going to 'spook' these guys leading a desperate 600?
• This may be a good place to review David's bodyguard.  Read through 23:8 through the end of the chapter.  Then focus on the list of 30 bodyguards.  Who do you find in there, and is that a surprise?
• Considering Ahithophel's family, why do you think he would engage David this way?
• Who likes Ahithophel's plan?  What are all the elders of Israel doing there with Absalom?
• If Absalom and all the rogue elders of Israel like the plan, why do you think Absalom wanted to ask Hushai?  Sure God goaded him, but how did He do it?
• What is Hushai's basic problem with Ahithophel's plan?
• Considering chapter 23 you read earlier, how much do you think Hushai is embellishing, if any?
• Hushai counsels gathering more than 12,000; but how long do you think such gathering will take?
• Hushai counsels taking down the whole lot of David's people, not just David.  Why do you think this might appeal to Absalom and the elders?
• The assessment in verse 14 is that Ahithophel's counsel was 'good'.  That means, in retrospect, the author is conceding that Ahithophel was right.  What are your thoughts on this assessment?
• The other element is that God conspired to bring 'evil' on Absalom (that's the word in Hebrew, the King James version doesn't make it nice).  How do you feel about God bringing 'evil' on someone, anyone?  
• Almost every translation has a different word for 'evil' here.  Why so difficult to translate?
• Hushai sends word to David through his intelligence network he set up as he left town.  Look at how it works: Hushai-to-Priests-to-maidservant-to-sons-to-David.  Where do you think might be the weak link in that chain?
• Ahimaaz and Jonathan are outside the city, but they are seen anyway.  What does that tell you about Absalom's 'intelligence network'?
• Just so you catch the 'pun' a 'boy' sees them and tells Absalom, and they hide in 'boys'-town, before fleeing to David.
• Consider back to the list of David's bodyguard.  Do you remember seeing Bahurim as one of the 'ites' in his bodyguard?  How convoluted and pervasive is David's support?
• The two hide in a well, and a woman covers it and hides it.  Then the 'servants of Absalom' speak with the woman.  They even seem to know where the two sons have gone.  What does that tell you about 'secrets' in Israel?
• The woman lies.  How do you feel about 'lying' in the service to God?
• The servants don't really believe her, look anyway, but don't find the two sons.  So they leave and the two escape.  What does this 'scene' remind you of? Movies, books, or just stories you've heard.
• Ahimaaz and Jonathan reach David, and all the people cross over all night.  Considering where they were and how long it took to cross over, what do you think of Ahithophel's plan now?  Does this change your opinion of David's chances?
• Ahithophel sees that his advice is not followed, so he goes home and kills himself.  Why do you think he did that?  Commentators typically say that he knew they would fail, but is that necessarily true? What do you think here?
• Find Mahanaim on a map.  This is where Ishbosheth had his capital.  Why do you think David comes here?
• As he arrives, Absalom crosses the Jordan, so how long did it take to 'gather all Israel'?  Or do you think perhaps they're gathering in Gilead?  How do you imagine this happening?
• Look closely at who Amasa is.  Who is his 'grandfather'?  Look up Nahash on the Blue Letter Bible site.  Then look forward at verse 27, is this the same guy?  What's going on here?  Abagail is also David's sister (and the name of one of his wives).  And the writer is very direct at pointing out that Amasa is a cousin to Joab and his brothers.  What does all this tell you about Amasa?  Why do you think Absalom put him over the army?
• Look at the list of those who come to support David in Mahanaim.  One was the 'patron' of Mephibosheth (Machir of Lo-Debar).  One is the prince of the sons of Ammon.  What do you think of this list of people?  They're not all Israelites, so what does that tell you about David and how he gets along with foreigners?
• The bring supplies.  Who does this remind you of?

Now we're set for the final show down in chapter 18, but this chapter has plenty to keep us occupied.  I look forward to going through it with you Thursday!