The Plague of Accounting

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting May 21 to study 2 Samuel 24.  The LAST chapter!  Yes, we finally made it, and what a bizarre chapter with which to wrap up.  Here we see some of the oddest behavior of God recorded.  Theologians don't like this chapter, so don't be discouraged.  No one really understand it.  But we will slug our way through nonetheless!

Read through it several times.  It may be helpful with this one to read through fully with a few old and new translations.  Then pay close attention to the differences in how they build their statements.  Part of the differences you will see between translations of different time periods will be in theological views changing in the 20th Century (which is interesting).  So use a KJV and something else, but if you can find an American Standard Version (ASV - it's public domain - easy to find online for free), use that as well.

This is a good chapter to use with a Strong's either in print or online.  There are lots of places where words are difficult to understand, which you will see in the differences between translations.

You're going to have a ton of questions (everyone does).  So make sure to write them all down or you'll forget some.  The ones I have below are focused on stuff just below the surface, so that's why there's fewer of them, and none of them will be obvious or make much sense (kind of like the chapter as a whole).  Be sure to come up with your questions first, then look through whatever commentaries you have, and only then, look at the questions below.  DON'T START WITH THESE!  Please!

• The verb typically translated as 'incited' or 'moved' in verse 1 is clearly written to say that God caused David to do harm to the country.  Yes, God is angry with them, but what do you think the writer/editor is describing here?  What do you think God is doing?  This brings into question your assumptions about God and His character.
• The word translated as 'number', 'enroll', 'register' etc. is actually a very problematic generic word for 'visit'.  The reason for the visit is always left to context, and rarely with another 'helping descriptor' word. So it has tons of words it's translated into, with visit not even the most common.  You easily get the reason for the 'visit' here.  Why do you think this 'visit' is such a serious sin?
• Between the close of verse 10 and the beginning of verse 11 David obviously slept.  What do you think David thought about what he did and what this meant for his people?
• God offers David three options.  What do you think it says about David that he responded as he did?  
• How compassionate was three days of pestilence on the people of Israel?
• In verses 13 and 15, the word for the 'plague' or 'pestilence' is here. But in verses 21 and 25 the word is here.  How likely is it that the 'editor' used two different sources for the event?  What do you think that would do to contribute to making this difficult to understand?  Can you find any more of these?
• Consider the interaction between God and the 'angel' and David and the angel.  How do you imagine this happening?  Keep in mind David is in Jerusalem (or is he? - this is where the word for 'plague' changes).
• Read verse 23 in the KJV.  Remember that italicized words are ones added to help the translation make sense.  What if you read it without them, what do you think that means for this Arunah character?  Now what's going on?

There are plenty of other questions, so these are just additional ones you may not have caught or that most commentaries will simply ignore (some, not all).  It should be a lively discussion to wrap up 2 Samuel!

Nice Poem, Tough Guy

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting May 21 to study 2 Samuel 23.  This is a very interesting chapter.  It starts with a poem, and winds up with a roster of some of the toughest guys in ancient history.  They're not 'creepy', but they do give the uncomfortable sense of not being 'safe'; at least not for 'bad guys'.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Spend some time on the poem, especially considering the contrast from chapter 22, like in tone and in possible situation.  I think this is more one from later in David's life rather than 22 being earlier.  What do you think?

Make notes as you read through, jot down questions.  It's easy to get lost in the names, so basically look for familiar ones, ones that don't fit the 'pattern' and so on.  Only after doing this should you consult commentaries.  The commentaries will make a lot more sense at that point.  Remember to use different translations as well.  That helps spot difficulties in language (especially in the poem, but also among the names).

After reading through, taking notes, jotting questions, and reading any commentary and alternate translations, go back through with the questions below:

• Consider how David 'introduces' himself at the beginning.  Read it in a few translations.  What does verse 1 sound like to you?  Imagine it being said out loud.  Who do you imagine saying it?
• Starting in verse 2, David speaks of himself and his house.  What do you think of his self-assessment?
• Through verse 5, David speaks of the greatness of his house, but why is it great?  Where does his 'greatness' come from?  Why do you think he speaks about it in this way?
• After verse 5, David begins to contrast his 'house' with 'others'.  Look at these others in other translations.  Who do you think he refers to here?  Find a King James version among your translations.  They don't even try to translate it, but simply use the Hebrew word.  Considering the wide range of translation options, what do you think it means?
• Verse 8 begins the list of David's Mighty Ones.  The account begins with three, or the Three.  What makes these guys distinctive?
• Can you imagine such a fight where one guy with a sword or spear defeats everyone?  How is that possible?  What do you think such a fight would look like?
• Who won the victory in those encounters?  Why do you think that's important here?
• Why, after they worked so hard, do you think David pours out the water before God?  What did he do with it?  Do you think that was 'better' than drinking it?
• Everyone else is compared to the Three.  How do you think they compare?
• Why do you think Joab isn't listed?  His brothers made it on the list, and he survived the reign of David, why do you think he didn't make it?
• Abishai is left on his own in a way.  Why do you think that is?  How do you think he is compared to the "Three"?  So is he a 'good guy' or 'bad guy'?
• Benaiah is next after Abishai.  What do your commentaries say about his 'snowy pit lion fight' if anything?  
• He defeats one Egyptian.  How impressive is that considering the Three?  What do you think of him?
• His role seems to be in charge of the bodyguards (the Thirty), or is he simply 'the Bodyguard' of David?  Look at various translations.  What do you think?
• Then the list of the 'Thirty', and Asahel is first, but we know he dies early on before David is king over Israel.  So, is this a current list of David's body guard at the end of his reign?  Why do you think this list is included?  What's the writer's point with this list of the Three, the two, and the Thirty?  What do you think it says about David?

That should carry us through the hour (or so).  Be sure to bring your questions and notes!