A Gutless General And a Headless Fool

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 23 to study 2 Samuel 20.  This is another in a long line of strange tales from Scripture.  Joab, once again, comes to the forefront in all his bloody glory.

Read the chapter through a couple of times.  Be sure to use more than one translation.  Jot down observations, questions, and insight or application you gain as you read.  Then feel free to consult commentaries, either ones you have or anything on Blue Letter Bible.  Jot down any additional things you learn from your study of other resources.  After that, go back through with the questions below:

• A certain worthless fellow happened to be where? Where did this take place?
• Why do you think Benjamites are so problematic for David?
• Why do you think, after having the debate of 19:9 and 10, does everyone now follow 'a certain worthless fellow'?  Or do you think everyone followed Sheba? What clues do you see in the chapter that may indicate only some of the men of Israel followed him?
• Judah remains with David to Jerusalem (v.2), and he doesn't have Sheba pursued immediately.  Why do you think David isn't in much of a hurry here?  
• What are your thoughts on the Ten Concubines?  Was David fair here?
• Why give Amasa three days?  Why do you think three days isn't enough for Amasa?  Read that statement in several translations.  Does he wait three days to start gathering, or does it take more than three days to gather, or what?
• Whatever the problem, David doesn't wait for Amasa and all the men of Judah.  He sends out his own personal 'ites' under who?  Who does he give instructions to?  Why him and not Joab?
• The text is really clear about Joab being in his 'military garb'; well duh! He going to battle against a rebel, why do you think that detail is included?
• Imagine the scene.  How does a sword 'fall out' of its sheath while a soldier is walking?  If it does, how does a person being approached not notice something that big?
• If you've looked this passage over in several translations, you've seen some refer to Joab's 'dagger' at his belt.  Here's the word on Blue Letter Bible in the Strong's.  Why do you think they would translate it as 'dagger' here?
• Look at this event closely.  Which hand does Joab use to strike the blow to Amasa's stomach?
• Amasa wasn't 'on his guard'.  Why do you think the writer thought he should have been?
• Why do you think the detail that Amasa's innards 'poured out' was included? Then that Joab didn't strike him again, and then that he's 'wallowing in his blood'?  What is your overall impression of how Amasa dies?  What did Joab do here?
• Everyone (of Judah) stops at Amasa wallowing in his blood.  Why do you think they do that?  What are they thinking?  
• The man left behind by Joab throws Amasa's body into a field and throws a cloak over it.  This seems to solve the problem of people following Joab.  How do you feel about Amasa?  What do you think of him?
• See if you can find a map with Abel Beth-Maacah on it (good luck).  Where is place in relation to 'Gilgal'?  So, the detail that he 'went through all the tribes of Israel' isn't an exaggeration?
• Why do you think Sheba went all that far if he's from Benjamin (right close to where he was)?
• Read verse 14 in several versions.  Who do you think is doing what?  Read any commentary (the more the merrier here), what do they say about verse 14, if anything?  Why do you imagine this might be so hard to understand?
• What do you think the people of Abel Beth Maacah are doing while the ramp is being built to tear down the wall? Do you imagine a battle?  Why not go out to talk to Joab before they start tearing down the wall?
• Consider what the 'wise woman' says to Joab about their city.  Why do you think she terms it that way?
• Why do you think the writer is so persistent in referring to the woman as 'wise'?
• What do you think of Joab's side of the discussion? Is he really a man of peace?  He uses an oath or expletive that he would NEVER 'swallow up or destroy'.  Really?  Look at the wall! Hello!
• Imagine this dialogue, this is cultural Middle Eastern negotiation.  What do you think of it?
• What do you think of their solution?  Why does Joab recognize Sheba?
• The list of who does what in David's kingdom seems out of place to me.  Why do you think it's here?
• Joab is listed over the army.  Who is Benaniah?  Look him up in various resources.  What do you think of this guy?
• If Adoram was over the 'forced labor' what does that tell you about life in Israel during David's reign?  Does this guy every show up again?  What do you think of that?
• Jehosaphat is literally the one tasked with 'remembering'.  What do you think that means?
• Sheva is the 'scribe'.  Look up this word in Strong's (follow link).  What might be a modern 'profession' that is like this?
• Why do you think David has a personal priest?  We never hear of this guy anywhere else.  What do you think this guy does for David?

That should suffice for us this week.  Be sure to bring your study results to our group.  We need your perspective!

Rebuilding Burnt Bridges

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 16 to study 2 Samuel 19.  This chapter, in some ways, closes out the account of Absalom, and in some ways sets up the next difficulty of David.  The importance of this chapter is really found in the maneuverings of David to reestablish himself as king.

Read it through several times, and jot down things you notice or questions you have about the story.  Note who does what, what is said, ask yourself 'why' (both why did he say that, and why did that detail make it into the story), and try to imagine seeing and hearing these events.

After reading through with your own observations and questions, then go to other resources to get other perspectives.  Use other translations, and if you have access to more than one commentary, use them.  Modify your questions and observations from what you read.

After having done your own work through the passage, go back through with these questions:

• What do you think the people are feeling as they 'steal' into they city?
• Joab has absolutely no remorse for having killed Absalom and buried him in pit in the woods. Why do you think he's behaving as he is?  What do you think he's feeling?
• Considering the insult added to injury that Joab killed Absalom and feels no remorse, why do you think David puts up with this guy?  What clues have you found so far along this story?
• David complies with Joab and goes down to the gate.  What do you think changed in David that enabled him to do that?
•  Joab claims that David was being foolish, possibly selfish.  What do you think of what Joab said?  What do you think of how David responded?
• The 'men of Israel' fled and then started arguing about why they rebelled in the first place.  Think through what they say, perhaps in a couple of translations.  What do you think of their reasoning?  Why did they rebel in the first place?  What happened?
• David sends messages to Judah only.  Why do you think they were not included in the discussion among the 'men of Israel'? Or do you think they were?  If they were, then why do you think David reached out to them only?
• Think through the content of David's appeal to Judah.  What two things does he use to turn them around to his side?  Why do you think he had to work that hard?
• What do you think are some possible reasons that David replaces Joab so boldly and blatantly?
• What do you think it means for Joab's position or reputation among the men of Israel and Judah that he's replaced like he is, and with who he's replaced by?
• Judah returns to the king's side last, but arrives first at the Jordan.  Why do you think that is?
• Who else arrives?  What do you think of Shimei that he works to bring David back?
• Shimei is from Bahurim, which is where David's spies were hidden by someone.  What does that tell you about this village, and perhaps this revolt all together?
• Shimei helps the people over, then stops before David asking for forgiveness.  What do you think that says about his character, if anything?
• Think about what Abishai asks.  Why would he think that of a guy asking for forgiveness?  What do you think Abishai is thinking?
• David again asks why he puts up with 'the sons of Zeruiah'.  They are always referred to this way.  What do you suspect that says for why they have remained in David's service?
• David forgives Shimei, but glance ahead to 1 Kings 2:8,9.  What does this tell you of David's forgiveness? Do you think this is forgiveness as God sees it?
• Okay, did you miss Ziba's appearance with his fifteen sons and twenty servants?  Read verses 16 and 17 over and over.  What does this sound/look like to you?
• Who are the 1000 men with, Ziba or Shimei?
• Verse 17 is typically translated that Ziba and his household were among the 1,000.  What do you think about that?  If Ziba and Shimei were 'buddies' what does that tell you about the two of them as David's leaving Jerusalem? They both acted very differently, but who do you trust if either of them?
• Enter Mephibosheth, stage right.  How did he get to the Jordan if he was having so much trouble getting out of Jerusalem before?
• What about him would have been very difficult to 'fake' if he was insincere?
• What sounds 'funky' about Mephibosheth's explanation of why he didn't go?  Who's fault was it?
• How exactly did Ziba deceive Mephi in this explanation?
• What does Mephi rely on in his final plea?
• What do you think of David's judgement on them?  Why do you think he would judge that way? Who are you in favor of?
• What do you think of Mephi's response?
• Barzilai is from the east side of the Jordan.  What do you think of his explanation about why it would make no sense for him to go to Jerusalem with David?  What does his explanation tell yo about what to expect being supported by the king?
• We aren't told who Chimham is.  We don't know who his parents are, who his kids are, and this is the only place a reference to him is found.  Who do you think he is?
• Who meets David at Gilgal to bring him over?  What do you think it means, 'half of the men of Israel' (or 'troops' or 'people' or 'army')?
• So, if half are already there, who's left to be upset with Judah?
• Think through the reasoning of both groups.  Which one makes more sense?
• What do the men of Judah suspect the men of Israel suspect?
• What really irritates the men of Israel about Judah's claim on David?
• Imagine you're at the Jordan, at Gilgal.  Two huge crowds of men are arguing over David.  How do you feel?  What are you afraid is going to happen?
• What does happen in the final verse?  Peek ahead, is that more what you expected?

That should keep us busy for a few minutes Thursday.  I look forward to seeing everyone then!

A Dangerously Big Head

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 9 to study 2 Samuel 18.  This is an odd chapter.  It's also a great example of how I remember details wrong over the years.  I hadn't read this for some time, and I didn't remember David having so many people, and the battle being so bloody.  See why we keep reading?

Read through the chapter several times.  Sure, Absalom's death is funny in some ways, but think it through, imagine it, put yourself there.  It's not so funny really, but tragically ironic.  It's something that smacks of God in the details.  What about the other details though?  Look through those and again imagine the activity.  It means something that David has so many and that this battle is so costly.  Consider what that may mean.

As you go through the chapter, jot down notes and questions.  After reading through a few times, then consider commentaries.  As you read through commentaries, jot down more questions and observations.  It may be helpful, after reading any references you have, to go back through the chapter again.

After all that, go back through with the questions below:

• It never says how many people David has, but considering the 'officers' breakdown, he has to have at least 3,000.  Considering he left with 600 fighting men, where do you think these came from?
• He sets Joab and Abishai over troops, but why do you think Ittai?  He's a foreigner (from Gath), and David has others in his cadre who could easily have led.  What do you think it means or what do you think it says about Ittai that David sets him over troops?
• The people don't want David to go out with them.  Consider chapter 21:17, which may not be in chronological order.  Do you think David thought it was a good idea to go, or that he thought it was 'right' or 'necessary' for him to go?
• David tells Joab, Abishai, and Ittai to go easy on Absalom, and everyone hears it.  Why would he do that considering all that has happened?  Why do you think David is so hesitant to be hard on Absalom?
• The 'forest of Ephraim' is part of what defines their territory.  Look up Joshua 17:15-18 and see what the people thought when they were given the land.  Look up the word 'forest' and see how you imagine this 'wood'.  What do you imagine the fight to be like, especially considering that more died from the woods, than from other soldiers? 
• Who is favored in such a fight in such a difficult place?
• Absalom meets the servants of David, and is then caught in the tree.  How do you imagine this happening?  It says his 'head', and then he hangs there.  How does someone catch their 'head' in a tree and then dangles there?
• Some guy sees what happens to Absalom and tells Joab.  Look at Joab's response.  What has he decided to do regardless of what David said?  Why do you think Joab is so decisive even when David isn't?
• Joab is mad at the guy for not killing Absalom there and then.  What does the guy's response tell you about how Joab is viewed, even among his men?
• Considering that they guy tells Joab instead of simply capturing Absalom, what does that tell you about what the people thought about Absalom, and how to treat him?
• Joab doesn't debate with the guy, but more importantly, doesn't disagree with him.  How do you imagine this 'discussion' looking/sounding like, as if you were there?
• Joab thrusts THREE spears into Absalom (literally his heart).  Obviously, if he's still alive, this doesn't refer to the 'heart' as we know it, what might it refer to?
• Joab has people carrying his stuff which explains how he is able to use three spears (these are fairly large weapons).  They circle Absalom and kill him on the ground.  This is a pretty terrible gruesome death.  Why do you think they are so vehement?
• It says that Joab restrained the people.  What does that tell you about how the battle was going?
• What do you think of Abaslom's burial?  This is very different from Ahithophel's where he was 'gathered to his fathers'.  So, how do you think Abaslom was viewed by the 'servants of David'?
• All Israel flees, and then it remarks about Absalom's pillar.  What do you think happened to his sons mentioned in chapter 14 (14:27)?  
• When do you think the pillar happened, those aren't 'instant' especially if they are to last?  What does that tell you about 'time' taken here?
• Why do you think Ahimaaz is so adamant about going to inform the king?
• Why do you think Joab doesn't want Ahimaaz to go?  He likes Ahimaaz, and considers him a great bearer of news, just not this news.  Why?
• Cushites are from southern Egypt.  This is another example of a foreigner very loyal to David.  How does this idea that Philistines, Egyptians, and Ammonites serving David in service to God affect how you view Israel, and perhaps even God's acceptance of people?
• Ahimaaz runs in a 'roundabout' route, but out runs the Cushite, arriving first.  Read through the 'watchman's' report a few times.  What about this seems 'odd'?  Perhaps read it in a few versions, noting the differences.  What's odd about it?
•  David keeps saying, 'that means he brings good news' over and over, even when his basis of reasoning changes.  Why do you think he keeps saying this?
• What do you think of Ahimaaz' initial report?  How do you imagine Ahimaaz sounding once he arrives?
• The Cushite appears and finishes the account.  How does the Cushite seem to feel about Absalom's death?
• Does your version have verse 33? Some do and some don't. The Hebrew doesn't.  In Hebrew and many English versions, it's verse 1 of chapter 19.  Where do you think it belongs?

That is plenty to keep us occupied.  Remember to bring your questions and observations to the group. See you Thursday!