Bearing Bad News Can Be Hazardous

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 4 to begin the study of 2 Samuel.  We will be going over a brief book introduction, and perhaps finishing chapter 1.  This book is essentially about David's reign.  There is a brief connective break between the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, but this may have been only because the two books didn't fit on the same scroll.  Essentially they form 1 book.  The book of Samuel fits into the same narrative style or 'family' as Kings (1 and 2 Kings), which continues the account of the monarchy in Israel and Judah.

The breakdown of content is essentially as follows:

1. The transition from judges to a monarchy (1 Samuel)
2. The reign of David and the suppression of tribal distinctions (2 Samuel)
3. The reign of Solomon and the height of the Hebrew kingdom (1 Kings)
4. The fracture of Israel along tribal/geographical lines (2 Kings)

The overall story is about the eventual fall of the nation as a whole, explaining it as a result of an idolatrous life lived in rebellion against God and His law.  The beginnings leaving the confederacy of judges with God as 'King' is signaled as the first step in the wrong direction.  The total wreck of Saul's reign highlights this.  David and Solomon are seen as both the highpoint of devotion to God, but also the turning point away from God (the end of Solomon's reign).  In the end, the only hope offered is the 'release' of the last true king of Judah, but the people remain in captivity.  This leads scholars to conclude that Samuel and Kings were completed during the captivity, possibly/probably in captivity.

Read through the first chapter several times.  Then go back and read the last two or three chapters of 1 Samuel (29-31).  Read ahead in 2 Samuel to get a sense of what is being 'setup' here.  Read the first chapter again a few times.  Ask questions, make observations, prayerfully seek those things that illuminate God's character, His relationship with His human creatures, and His desires for them.

After you have read through a few times, read back through with the questions below:

• Verse 1 sets the timing.  About how many days have transpired after the death of Saul? (you will need to have read the final chapters of 1 Samuel for this one)
• What do you think it means that the man's clothes are torn and he has dust on his head?  What is this a sign of?  What do you think of his sincerity in how he looks?
• The man brings bad news about the battle.  Since David had seen the assembly of the Philistines, how surprised do you think he was?  
• Consider the way the battle is described in 1 Samuel 31.  The people who fled the battle fled from where?  All the fallen seemed to be on Mount Gilboa.  So where did this guy fit in that narrative in chapter 31?
• What do David and his men do when they hear of the battle?  What does this mean for David and his men?  Why so loyal to Saul?  Or do you think they mourn more the people than the king?
• After this initial response, David further inquires of this 'messenger'.  What's the difference between his first and second set of questions?
• Considering the recent battle David was involved in and why, why do you think the man's heritage as an Amalekite might not work in his favor with David?
• After the messenger is killed, David writes a 'dirge' for Saul and Jonathan.  Considering the meaning of 'Jashar' what do you think would make a good 'English' title for such a book?
• The repeated phrase, 'How the mighty have fallen' just sounds familiar.  Where have you heard it before this?
• The parallel nature of this poem is easy to spot throughout.  Consider the greater parallel structure, like topic started (the fallen people/Mt. Gilboa), topic in the middle (Saul and Jonathan), and topic at the end (Jonathan).  If the middle one is supposed to be the focus, what is David's focus in this poem?
• On the other hand, the phrase 'how the mighty have fallen' might form the hinge between sections (beginning, transition, ending).  In that case, there are only two sections, and the second would be the focus.  So, what do you think was David's true lament in that case?
• How else might you break the poem up into pieces?
• What do you think of David lamenting his enemy the king?  What do you think of his vengeance on behalf of his enemy the king?  Why do you think this may have been a brilliant political 'tactic' on David's part?

That should be enough to get us started on this new book.  Remember to bring your notes and questions!

Not A Happy Homecoming

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 20 to study 1 Samuel 29 and 30.  These chapters actually go together very well.  There are little details that actually give some insight into David, the region, and what it was like to live in that day which may help us fill in some 'blanks'.  You've had some questions about what David and his 'merry men' were doing, and why it was 'good', so this may help shed some light on the cultural and societal details surrounding that issue.

Read through both chapters together (just ignore the break) several times.  Look for things that provide details about what happened, and see if some clues as to why might be found.  Jot down questions and insights as well, and bring them to group.  Also, look for things about David's character.  What is he like through these chapters?

After you've read through a few times, and jotted down questions and insights, go back through with these questions:

Chapter 29

• In verse 2, the technical title of the Philistine lords is 'Seren'; like 'Pharaoh' for the leader of Egypt.  The Philistine language is gone, without example for us.  So, if you look at the times this term is used, this is the only time it's used where Saul is involved (although it may be assumed another would be in in 13:5).  So, what does this mean for this particular battle?
• In verse three, the Philistine princes refer to David and his band as "Hebrews".  Look back at 1 Samuel 13:21.  Why might this reference be important here to explain their concern? 
• What is Achish's assessment of David?  Remember back to chapter 27, so how accurate is his assessment?
• The princes of the Philistines tell Achish to send David back home.  What is their reasoning?  What are they afraid David will do?  What have they heard of David?  This is one popular song.
• Achish goes to David, to tell him to return.  Consider how he starts his 'speech'.  Why do you think he arranges his speech that way?
• What is David's first response?  What does that mean for Achish's manner of starting?  What do you think is going on in this dialogue?  Is it formalized negotiation, covenant dialogue, cultural, or just emotional heated dialogue?
• What do you think it means that Achish refers to the God of Israel in verse 6?
• Read verse 9 in as many translations as you can.  The word used is "Elohim" which can be translated God, gods, supernatural being, or something of the like.  How do you think Achish meant it, considering he's pagan, but also used God's name in verse 6?
• How much of a 'fight' do you think David puts up here?  So do you think David is 'relieved', 'concerned', 'disappointed', or something else?

Chapter 30

•  David returns home after three days.  The Amalekites have raided them.  What is different about their treatment of Ziklag?  Why might that be?
• What evidence of God's blessing can you find in what happened?
• Why do you think the initial response is weeping when the men return to Ziklag?
• Why do you think their second response is to kill David?
• Who do you think used the ephod?
• What does it actually say about the 200 left at Besor?  Why do you think they were so weary?
• They find a clue to where the enemies are, how do they treat this guy?  Why do you think they are so kind to him?
• Consider the slave's description of what the Amalekites did.  What do you think is interesting about their treatment of Ziklag?  Why do you think it may have been different (or was it)?
• The Amalekites are having a 'victory party' before reaching home, or so it seems.  But consider how many there probably are of them, and then consider how many David now has.  What do you think would be David's biggest concern?
• How long do David's men fight the Amalekites?  If the other 200 were too tired to cross a ravine, what sort of condition do you think the remaining 400 would be in?  What do you think of David's men at this point?  Were the Philistines right to fear having them in and among their leaders?
• Considering only 400 hundred (only?) escape fleeing on camels, and factoring in it took them all night and all the next day to defeat the rest, how many Amalekites do you think there were?
• Where did the Amalekite plunder come from?  What areas?
• Verse 20 isn't easy to translate, but it's not that hard to understand.  Everyone seems to get what they lost, and the rest of the plunder goes to David.  Again, considering the regions attacked by the Amalekites, and how large the raiding band was, how much plunder do you think this is?
• When they reach the 200 hundred left behind, what sort of men aren't happy with them (be sure to read verse 22 in several translations, including the KJV)?  What do you think it means for David and his men that they have such men with them?
• Consider David's response to them.  How does he refer to them?  And yet what does he say about their 'idea'?  What do you think this says about David's character, that he has these sorts of people around him, and how he responds to them?
• Why do you think David did what he did with his huge share of the plunder?  If you can (and it won't be easy) find these places on a map of Southern Israel.  Why these places?

That should take us at least an hour, and it will leave only one short chapter remaining.  I look forward to studying with you Thursday!