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?
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