What Changed?

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group Meeting January 8 to study 2 Samuel 4 (possibly 5).  Chapter 4 is another link in the story of David's kingdom being established.  In this chapter events are aligned which remove the remaining obstacles between David and the rest of Israel's tribes; at least the obvious ones.  The passage of time between the accounts is never reconciled, and doesn't seem to be important to the writer/editor.

Read through chapter 4 and 5 together.  We may start 5, but they belong together even if we do them separately.  Really chapters 1 through 5 belong together, and are referred to as the 'succession narrative'.  There's another 'succession narrative' with Solomon, but after that, they're either short or non-existent.  A 'succession narrative' shows the various hurdles overcome to establish a king on a throne.  This had to happen every time a king came to power, even in Judah, but we only have the details of David and Solomon.

Remember to take notes, jot down questions, and see what you can find to reconcile problems you find.  There are plenty of places where the text seems to show what happens, but doesn't explain inconsistencies.  They drive us crazy, but didn't seem to bother the initial audience, or detract from the point of the author/editor.

After reading through a few times on your own, and with your own questions/notes taken, read through again with the questions below:

Chapter 4

• Why do you think, if Ish-Bosheth was afraid of Abner, he 'looses courage' when Abner dies?  Why do you think he wasn't 'comforted'?
• All Israel is 'disturbed' when Abner dies.  What do you imagine might have been their greatest concerns or fears?
• Regardless of where "Beeroth" fell in the tribal regions of Israel, the point of the author/editor is that they are Benjamites.  Why do you think that would be important here?
• Why do you think Mephibosheth is mentioned here?  Different commentators have different ideas about it, but what do you think?
• In almost every translation, the deed of killing Ish-Bosheth is repeated.  If you have a New Living Translation, look at their wording for it.  The reason for the difference is that the NLT used the Greek text instead of the Hebrew at this point.  Keep in mind that the available Greek text is older than the Hebrew.  Which do you think is easier to explain as an 'editorial change', a duplication or a consistent story?
• The two brothers go to David as quickly as possible.  Yet David seems to know the details of Ish-Bosheth's death already.  So how do you think that happened?  What are some explanations you came up with or found in commentaries? (there aren't wrong answers here)
• David refers to the death of the Amalekite who announces Saul's death to him in Ziklag.  Do you think, considering how people in this story seem to know so much, these guys hadn't heard that particular one?
• Again David has someone kill the 'bearers of "good news"' in a way.  Why do you think he didn't do this with Joab when he killed Abner?  For some context here, read 1 Kings 2:5 and 6.  What do you think it is about Joab that 'protects' him from David?

Chapter 5

•  The elders of the all the tribes come to David, finally.  Considering what they say to him, why do you think it has taken them so long to come to David?  Who's death do you think really cinched it for them, Abner or Ish-Bosheth?
• They site the prophecy that David will shepherd Israel.  Where do you think they heard that?  Was Abner the first or was it widely distributed around prior?  There is a historical saying that the 'victors get to write the history'.  How much of that do you think might be happening here?
• After the elders make their statement, they make a covenant with David, and anoint him king over all Israel.  What do you think made up the covenant?  Was it a 'Bill of Rights' sort of thing or do you think it was what they were willing to do?  There's no record of it, so it's all guess.
• The timing issue comes up again.  Seven years and six months over Judah in Hebron, does that mean only Judah?  The impression this gives is that as soon as he was anointed king, he takes Jerusalem.  So, how does Ish-Bosheth only reign 2 years over all Israel while David reigns seven over all Judah?
• It says 'The king and his men' came to Jerusalem.  Some think this just means the 600 who followed David before he became king.  Some think it just refers to the army in general.  Why do you think it would be important for David to take Jerusalem without the help of the other tribes?
• The Jebusites are Caananite hold-outs against Israel, but also against the Philistines.  They are very confident in their city defenses.  What does David seem to know that other attackers don't?
• Verses 1 through 5 seem to establish that David is anointed (accepted by the other tribes, finally). Six through ten are the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital.  Eleven through sixteen are the establishment of his 'dwelling' and life there.  Why do you think this progression is so important to his ascension to the throne of Israel?  Why all the detail about his wives, concubines, and sons for instance?  The writer did this for Hebron too, so what do you think is the point?
• Seventeen through the rest of the chapter, is the defeat of the Philistines.  What do you think might be significant about the 'place' where they fight (The Valley of Raphaim)?  
• What, if anything, might be significant about 'all the Philistines' going up to fight David?
• In the first defeat of the Philistines, David takes spoils of idols.  Why do you think that might be significant?
• In the second defeat of the Philistines, they pursue them to their cities.  Why do you think the difference might be important?
• In both instances David inquires of God.  Each time he gets a different answer.  So how do you imagine this happening?  What does David do to inquire?
• The response the second time has some interesting detail.  What does this detail mean for the method David used to inquire?  How does this detail influence how you imagine David inquiring of God?
• David has success, lots of it.  Yet his victories still are due to his inquiry of God.  What does that say about our lives?  Do you see the value of knowing how David inquired of God?  How can we also inquire of God?

We'll focus on chapter 4 and see if we make it into 5.  See you all Thursday!

Revenge and Politics

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting December 18 to study 2 Samuel 3.  This chapter has lots of very peculiar elements in it.  Some of the high points are David able to make a covenant with Abner that will bring the other tribes over to him.  The low point is the murder of Abner.  How all this plays out is the makings of a good story or epic movie.

Read the chapter over several times.  You can read ahead as chapter 4 rounds out this part of David's story, and from there we take a very different turn.  As you read through this chapter be sure to jot down things that seem very odd, questions, and any observations about the story or wording.  And please bring those notes and questions to the group with you.

After you read through a few times, with your own notes and question, go back through with the questions below:

• It doesn't say how long the war between David and Ish-Bosheth lasted, but why do you think this is a good setup for what happens between Ish-Bosheth and Abner?
• Sons were born to David.  One commentator said there was something important about there only being one son to each wife.  Why do you think that would be important?  
• How do you think Abner might have been strengthening his position within the house of Saul, and why do you think he would do that if the 'house' is failing?
• Why do you think 'going in to' Saul's concubine would have been so serious?  Or was it serious since Ish-Bosheth only mentions it, and doesn't try to actually punish Abner?
• After strengthening himself in the house of Saul, consider how quickly he switches loyalty.  What do you imagine is going on with Abner at this point?  Do you think he's that erratic or is it just the story, or what?  What if he's actually quite clever?  What would these two elements (his strengthening his position, and then switching to David) mean if he were actually being very clever?
• Consider how he phrases his giving the kingdom to David in verse 9.  What then is known about David that we may have assumed was a private thing?
• If Abner knew that God promised the kingdom to David, why do you think he set up Saul's son in the first place?
• Ish-Bosheth is afraid of Abner, what do you think Ish-Bosheth believes will happen next, and why?
• Consider that Abner sends messengers to David, specifically on his own behalf, yet it's Ish-Bosheth that sends for Michal.  And then, when she comes, it's Abner who sends Paltiel away.  What do you think this means?  What do you think is going on here?
• After getting Michal, then Abner goes to the elders of Benjamin and Israel.  Why do you think it's so important to specify Benjamin here?
• After he's spoken to the elders Abner goes to Hebron with 20 men.  What do you think was on the list of things that Israel and Benjamin wanted to do, or is this just a way of referring to the people all wanting to make David king?
• Abner goes to assemble the people of Israel and after he leaves Joab shows up.  Considering that Joab returns from a very successful 'raid', how do you think he is feeling right now?
• Joab hears that Abner was here, and he goes to chew out the king.  Why do you think David puts up with Joab?
• Joab has Abner return and then kills him in the gate.  Consider that it also says that Abishai is also somehow involved.  Why do you think it might be significant that Abner dies in the gate?
• What does Joab claim was Abner's reason for coming to David?  How reasonable does this sound to you?
• When David hears of what Joab does he actually curses Joab and his family line.  Why so severe a response, yet David leaves Joab as 'general'?
• David tells Joab and his 'people' to mourn Abner, and then follows the mourning of David over Abner.  How authentic does David's response to Abner's death seem to you?
• Consider how the people, both local to David in Hebron/Judah and those of all Israel think of David's mourning over Abner.  They clearly thought he was being authentic.  Why would he be so adamant about how important Abner was to Israel?  How likely is it that Abner really was a quality guy and everyone simply saw that and acknowledged that in him?

 That should keep us busy for an hour or so.  Please be sure to bring your questions and observations.  There's lots of room for speculation, and sometimes getting us thinking about it opens us up to what the Spirit who inspired these things wants us to get from it.

Fun On The Hill And At The Pool

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting December 11 to study 2 Samuel 2.  This chapter has some odd elements in it.  The characters behave in odd ways, and the story is a bit odd or at least difficult to imagine.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Perhaps reading ahead would help gain some context.  As you read through, jot down observations, questions, and insights.  Look for elements that demonstrate the influence of God.  Sometimes they are more difficult to find than you would expect because you end up having to infer them.

After you've read through a few times, read back through with these questions:

• Why do you think David is inquiring of God at this point?  What is his circumstance?
• Consider God's answers.  Try and imagine the process to ask the questions from the answers.  What do you imagine is happening?
• Both Carmel and Jezreel are actually in Judean hills, but more famous places with these names are found in the north.  Why do you think it might matter that these wives are 'local'?
• Read 1 Samuel 30:26-31.  What influence do you think this had on the men anointing David as king?
• David finds out what the men of Jabesh-Gilead did for Saul and Jonathan, and sends a blessing to them.  Many commentators say this was 'shrewd' on David's part to gain support, but look at where Jabesh-Gilead is in relation to Judah (see map below).  What do you think are some other alternatives?
• Consider the content of David's message.  Why do you think David would want to 'bless' them and return their kindness onto them?
• Why do you think David mentions his 'kingship' in Judah?  Do you think he's being shrewd or do you think he's simply validating his ability or resources to bless/do kindness to Jabesh-Gilead?
• Abner becomes a character at the forefront of the story here.  Considering that Abner was Saul's uncle, why do you think he wouldn't simply try and become king?
• Look at 1 Chronicles 8:33.  Considering that 'Baal' was also a term for the Hebrew God early on, what is the difference between the names?  Look up the name in 1 Chronicles 8:33 here, and the name in 2 Samuel 2:8 here.  What do you think is important and meaningful in the difference?
• Find Mahanaim on the map below.  Why do you think it made sense to make the 'capital' there?  What do you think that says about the 'strength' of the new 'king & country'?
• If Ish-Bosheth was 40, why wasn't he at the battle, and how old was everyone else if he's the youngest?
• Ish-Bosheth reigned two years and David 7 in Hebron.  What do you think happened to the 5 years difference?
• There's no real explanation about how they meet up in Gibeon.  If you check commentaries and your study Bibles, there will be differing opinions.  Why do you think Abner wanted to turn it into a 'battle' of sorts?
• The 'battle' didn't end up going Abner's way.  Imagine how it begins, consider the wording and the explanation of the place-name, what do you think is the writer's point here in describing it as he does?
• Zeruiah was David's sister, and her three sons were part of David's warrior band, and Joab was his 'general'.  This is important for the next few chapters.  Why do you think, as fast as Asahel was, he couldn't catch the much older (like, well-over-60 older) Abner?  What do you think he was doing?
• Why doesn't Abner want to kill Asahel?  Remember that!
• How hard must they have been running for the butt-end of the spear to pass through Asahel?
• Everyone stops at the place where Asahel dies, except for his two brothers.  Why do you think they kept going?  Why do you think they really stopped when they did?
• Abner was the one who suggested the 'battle' in the first place.  Why do you think he would blame Joab for continuing it?
• Joab says he will stop because Abner said what he did.  What do you think are some other reasons he would stop the pursuit?
• Consider how long Abner and his men walk (v.29).  Then consider how much Joab and the people accomplished in the same time.  Look at the map below.  Who traveled further?
• Consider the huge difference in how many were lost on each side.  What do you think that means?  Why do you think it would be so lopsided?

That should keep us busy for a bit.  Remember to bring your notes and questions to the group Thursday.

Late Night Visitors

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 27 to study 1 Samuel 26.  This is very similar to the account in chapter 24, but the differences are important.  This account seems to be more pieced together.  I'm sure lots of theories exist about how it's merely another version of chapter 24, or about how this one is evidence of how accounts of David were more fragmentary legends than actual fact. 

Big deal. Let them theorize.  The only truly verifiable fact is that this account not only made it into versions of 1 Samuel early on, but that it also acquired very few very minor differences between manuscript families. So, while it, like so many we have studied, are peculiar, it has more support as a historical event than many other less ancient cultures.

So, like always, read the chapter several times.  In this one, pay particular attention to things that seem repetitious.  Also pay close attention to any margin notes your particular translation may have.  The repetitious parts may have some significance, but even if not significant, can signal where different versions of the account were pieced together.  If you step back, you can sometimes tell in such places how various accounts were actually amazingly harmonious in their details. 

Jot down questions and observations you make as you read through the chapter.  It may be helpful to look back over chapter 24 for a reminder of details there.  After you've been through the chapter a few times on your own, look back over it with the questions below:

• The people of Ziph come again to Saul.  Why do you think they keep doing this with David?
• So, how do you think David is able to move about and see so clearly without being seen?  It's the desert, it's hard to hide much of anything...or is it?
• David goes out to see for himself, and takes two with him.  Abishai is the son of Zeruiah.  Look up Zeruiah on the Blue Letter Bible website.  There are interesting ideas of what her name means, but why do you think David refers to Abishai in terms of his mom?  He always refers to the three men that way, so it's important, but we don't really know why.
• What is expected but missing as David and Abishai sneak into the camp?
• Who is with Saul here but was missing in chapter 24?  Why do you think he came this time?
• Again, David and his men are able to talk where you would think it would be unwise.  Why do you think that is?  And doesn't it make Abishai's point stronger?
• David restrains Abishai, takes Saul's spear and water jug, and leaves.  What do you think might be important about the 'spear'?
• Who takes the spear and jug?
• On their way out, we're told how they're able to get away with it.  Why do you think God wants David to do this?
• David goes a good distance and calls out to wake the army.  Why do you think he calls out to Abner specifically?
• Read what he says to Abner carefully, possibly from several translations.  His reasoning seems somewhat convoluted, but the essence is clear.  What does he claim needs to be done to Abner?
• As David speaks to Saul, what details are similar to chapter 24?  What details are different?
• David gives the spear back to Saul, and then continues to speak.  With the breaks in the dialogue sometimes you can spot where 'splices' were made to various accounts.  But what is the consistent theme throughout them all?

That should keep us busy for an hour or so.  Be sure to bring your own questions and observations.  See you Thursday!