Rebuilding Burnt Bridges

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 16 to study 2 Samuel 19.  This chapter, in some ways, closes out the account of Absalom, and in some ways sets up the next difficulty of David.  The importance of this chapter is really found in the maneuverings of David to reestablish himself as king.

Read it through several times, and jot down things you notice or questions you have about the story.  Note who does what, what is said, ask yourself 'why' (both why did he say that, and why did that detail make it into the story), and try to imagine seeing and hearing these events.

After reading through with your own observations and questions, then go to other resources to get other perspectives.  Use other translations, and if you have access to more than one commentary, use them.  Modify your questions and observations from what you read.

After having done your own work through the passage, go back through with these questions:

• What do you think the people are feeling as they 'steal' into they city?
• Joab has absolutely no remorse for having killed Absalom and buried him in pit in the woods. Why do you think he's behaving as he is?  What do you think he's feeling?
• Considering the insult added to injury that Joab killed Absalom and feels no remorse, why do you think David puts up with this guy?  What clues have you found so far along this story?
• David complies with Joab and goes down to the gate.  What do you think changed in David that enabled him to do that?
•  Joab claims that David was being foolish, possibly selfish.  What do you think of what Joab said?  What do you think of how David responded?
• The 'men of Israel' fled and then started arguing about why they rebelled in the first place.  Think through what they say, perhaps in a couple of translations.  What do you think of their reasoning?  Why did they rebel in the first place?  What happened?
• David sends messages to Judah only.  Why do you think they were not included in the discussion among the 'men of Israel'? Or do you think they were?  If they were, then why do you think David reached out to them only?
• Think through the content of David's appeal to Judah.  What two things does he use to turn them around to his side?  Why do you think he had to work that hard?
• What do you think are some possible reasons that David replaces Joab so boldly and blatantly?
• What do you think it means for Joab's position or reputation among the men of Israel and Judah that he's replaced like he is, and with who he's replaced by?
• Judah returns to the king's side last, but arrives first at the Jordan.  Why do you think that is?
• Who else arrives?  What do you think of Shimei that he works to bring David back?
• Shimei is from Bahurim, which is where David's spies were hidden by someone.  What does that tell you about this village, and perhaps this revolt all together?
• Shimei helps the people over, then stops before David asking for forgiveness.  What do you think that says about his character, if anything?
• Think about what Abishai asks.  Why would he think that of a guy asking for forgiveness?  What do you think Abishai is thinking?
• David again asks why he puts up with 'the sons of Zeruiah'.  They are always referred to this way.  What do you suspect that says for why they have remained in David's service?
• David forgives Shimei, but glance ahead to 1 Kings 2:8,9.  What does this tell you of David's forgiveness? Do you think this is forgiveness as God sees it?
• Okay, did you miss Ziba's appearance with his fifteen sons and twenty servants?  Read verses 16 and 17 over and over.  What does this sound/look like to you?
• Who are the 1000 men with, Ziba or Shimei?
• Verse 17 is typically translated that Ziba and his household were among the 1,000.  What do you think about that?  If Ziba and Shimei were 'buddies' what does that tell you about the two of them as David's leaving Jerusalem? They both acted very differently, but who do you trust if either of them?
• Enter Mephibosheth, stage right.  How did he get to the Jordan if he was having so much trouble getting out of Jerusalem before?
• What about him would have been very difficult to 'fake' if he was insincere?
• What sounds 'funky' about Mephibosheth's explanation of why he didn't go?  Who's fault was it?
• How exactly did Ziba deceive Mephi in this explanation?
• What does Mephi rely on in his final plea?
• What do you think of David's judgement on them?  Why do you think he would judge that way? Who are you in favor of?
• What do you think of Mephi's response?
• Barzilai is from the east side of the Jordan.  What do you think of his explanation about why it would make no sense for him to go to Jerusalem with David?  What does his explanation tell yo about what to expect being supported by the king?
• We aren't told who Chimham is.  We don't know who his parents are, who his kids are, and this is the only place a reference to him is found.  Who do you think he is?
• Who meets David at Gilgal to bring him over?  What do you think it means, 'half of the men of Israel' (or 'troops' or 'people' or 'army')?
• So, if half are already there, who's left to be upset with Judah?
• Think through the reasoning of both groups.  Which one makes more sense?
• What do the men of Judah suspect the men of Israel suspect?
• What really irritates the men of Israel about Judah's claim on David?
• Imagine you're at the Jordan, at Gilgal.  Two huge crowds of men are arguing over David.  How do you feel?  What are you afraid is going to happen?
• What does happen in the final verse?  Peek ahead, is that more what you expected?

That should keep us busy for a few minutes Thursday.  I look forward to seeing everyone then!

Kindness To The Lame

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting February 5 to study 2 Samuel 9.  There is a lot of weirdness in this chapter.  David's actions toward Mephibosheth may seem strange, or at least they should.  But also consider the circumstances David found him in.

Read through this chapter several times, noting odd details, jotting down questions, and perhaps marking your Bible.  Then read ahead at 2 Samuel 16:1-4, and then skip to 19:24-30.  Then skip ahead to 2 Samuel 21:1-9 (which seems confusing).  These passages complete the account of Mephibosheth in David's story.  Without what has preceded (this chapter and the account earlier in 2 Samuel 4:4), these later details would not have made sense.  So this lengthy explanation needed to be included before the account of Absalom.

After you have read these accounts, noting and jotting down questions, read back through this chapter with the questions below:

• Why do you think David would ask about the house of Saul at this point?  What do you think people are thinking when he does?
• Ziba is brought to David, who is Ziba?  And what do you think Ziba's life has been like up to this point?
• David  asks where Mephibosheth is.  Why do you think he wasn't with Ziba already?
• Why do you think Mephibosheth is not with Saul's family in Benjamin? (he's across the Jordan)
• Consider that Mephibosheth falls on his face before David.  How debilitating do you think his 'lame' feet are?  How do you think he looks as he walks?
• The term, "eat at the kings table" doesn't refer to a literal 'table' or meal time, it refers to the source of the meals that Mephibosheth would eat.  So, how is Mephibosheth being treated by David?
• What do you think is going through Mephibosheth's mind at this point?
• What do you think is going through Ziba's mind at this point?
• Now David turns to Ziba, and tells him that everything of Saul reverts to Mephibosheth and that he now works for him.  What do you think is going through Ziba's mind now?
• Consider that all that Ziba does for Mephibosheth he doesn't really need per se because his meals are provided for by the king.  How do you think this makes Ziba feel?
• With that point (what Ziba produces isn't necessary to Mephibosheth), what happens to the produce?
• Why the detail that Ziba has so many children and servants?  What do you think the writer is pointing out here?
• Why do you think it's interesting that Mephibosheth has a son?  What detail is then missing?
• As you read the accounts ahead, who's missing?
• Why do you think it's important to repeat that Mephibosheth is lame in both feet?

2 Samuel 16:1-4

• David is fleeing from Absalom, and Ziba meets him with supplies.  What is his explanation of the supplies?
• David asks about Mephibosheth.  Does Ziba's answer make much sense to you?  Why do you think David believes him?

2 Samuel 19:24-30

• Mephibosheh makes the effort to come down to David as he enters Jerusalem.  What do you think this looks like?
• Consider how unkempt Mephibosheth looks. Does that help or hinder his story?
• He has a mustache.  Why not a beard?
• Does the account of Mephibosheth ring true?  Was he waiting for Ziba to bring him a donkey? Did he miss the 'last cab out of town' or something?
• Mephibosheth finishes his explanation by recounting all that David did for him, and that it was not deserved.  How does that help Mephibosheth?
• Who do you believe between the two?  If Mephibosheth sounds more plausible, why do you think David split the goods?
• What do you think about Mephibosheth's response to splitting the lands/goods with Ziba?
• This seems to be where the issue is left.  Do you think Mephibosheth ever gains favor with David again?

We're not going to cover the issues in chapter 21 just yet. There's too much weirdness to just skip over.  So, we'll cover that in detail when we get to that chapter.

Remember to bring your notes and questions to group.  This is an interesting account, and I think we're going to enjoy studying together.