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!