Mutual Admiration Society of Legendary Figures (MASLF for short)

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study group meeting January 22 to study 2 Samuel 7.  This is an odd chapter.  Essentially, it's a lot of superlatives connecting rejection and mutual admiration.  God speaks highly of David, so highly it's amazing.  And David speaks highly of God, humbly and meek.  It's so sappy it's sick, and yet, there are vital elements we need to consider emulating in our own relationship with God.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Look for the word usage differences between versions, however many you have.  Jot them down, note the more interesting ones, think of the similarities and differences in word meaning.  The flow of 'plot' or action isn't difficult to follow, but consider that as well.  Who is involved here?  What do they do? Then consider what they say.

After reading through a few times, making your own notes, read through again using the questions below:

• The setting is that all is going well for David.  So why do you think it bothers him that God is still in a 'tabernacle'?
• David speaks to Nathan (who's last name seems to be 'prophet') about his concern and Nathan gives him the 'go ahead'.  Why do you think Nathan would do that?  Try and ignore the rest of the chapter, what do you think Nathan is thinking?
• God corrects Nathan that night in a dream.  The first thing God addresses is the whole, 'tent' issue.  What's God's point about the tent?  Why do you think God is happy in a tent at this time?
• God then recites what He has done for David, and continues into a statement that He will 'build the house of David'.  What do you think God is doing here?  Why do you think God would take the position of 'house-builder' with David, and not the 'house dweller'?
• Verse 9 is worded strangely, in that God will make David's name 'like that of the greatest in the land."  Who else is there?  Who are these 'greatest in the land' of whom God speaks?  What do you think it means for God to word this the way He does?
• God speaks of David's death and descendants.  In a sense, God does not establish David's throne, but Solomon's.  Why word it that way?
• Nathan passes on the word of God to David.  Then David goes and sits in the Lord's presence.  Where do you think David goes?  Why is David able to go there?
• Translations vary with verse 19, especially the ending.  Essentially, it says '...and this the 'torah' of adam (human as made from dust/dirt)...'  Think about that term, 'torah of adam'.  Considering what 'torah' usually means with Scripture, what do you think it's use here might mean?
• David claims that God has done for him what He did because of God's heart and own word.  What do you think David is saying by that?  What do you think he means?
• Verse 22 is what David concludes from what God has done, what he believes about God.  What do you think is interesting about this claim, considering he and his men capture idols from their enemies?
• David then recounts that the people of Israel are unique.  Other people's considered themselves to be 'chosen' by gods to do stuff.  What do you think or see here that makes Israel different?
• Verse 25 is the turn into David's conclusion.  David now asks for what God has promised.  What does this teach you about your relationship with God?  Remember the 'Favor Of God' lessons?  How does this relate?

This isn't a long chapter, but it's not short either.  There's a lot more in it than I went over in these questions.  Be sure to bring your notes and questions as we go through it together.

What's A Good Son To Do?

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting January 23 to study 1 Samuel 20.  This picks up where the group left off before taking a detour through Multiply and Isaiah 40.  We're back for a while.  After we finish 1 Samuel, then we're going to do something different and look at how we actually got the Scripture we study (it's fascinating and stunning really).

It will probably be helpful to re-read 1 Samuel 19 just for sense of what's going on.  This chapter starts out with a discussion, the context of which could be the dancing naked king's search for his imagined enemy.  On the other hand...

Read chapter 20 several times.  It might be helpful to think in terms of what would each person have to be thinking to say/do what they say/do.  Try to put yourself in their sandals as it were.  Jot down questions and observations of peculiar things.  After going through it a few times, go back through with the questions below:

• Why do you think David would go to Jonathan after leaving the raving naked Saul?
• What do you imagine is David's 'tone' as he talks to Jonathan?
• If Jonathan really doesn't know about his father's pursuit of David, why would that be?  If Saul doesn't leave Jonathan out of these things, why now?
• If David is correct, where does this put Jonathan?  How does he 'win' in such a situation?
• David has an idea to test Saul's intent and show whether he or Jonathan is correct.  Why do you think Saul would expect David to show up if he just pursued him to Naioth to kill him?
• The festival or feast is a new moon festival, look up Number 10:10, and 28:11-15.  Does this sound like what is being celebrated here?
• David's ruse to use with Saul is that he went to Bethlehem to sacrifice.  Look up Deuteronomy 12:5-7, is this what David might be referring to?  Why or why not?  Did you come up with other alternatives?
• David refers to his covenant with Jonathan, and under no circumstances wants to be taken to Saul.  Why do you think David would rather Jonathan put him to death if there is 'iniquity' in him?
• Jonathan makes another covenant with David.  He did this once before in 1 Samuel 18:1-4.  We're not given a lot of detail there, but even so, what do you see different here?
• Jonathan adjusts the plan a bit, but it is essentially David's idea.  Why do you think the arrows, and boy to find them?  What do you think is important about Jonathan notifying David that way?
• Consider that Saul assumes David missed the festival because he was unclean.  Why do you think Saul might be making excuses rather than asking at this point?
• Saul asks Jonathan about David, but in this chapter, Saul never uses his name, but his father's name.  Why might that be?
• Jonathan changes the story slightly adding David's brother.  Why do you think he would do that?
• Imagine the feelings at the table that day.  What do you think everyone else is feeling or thinking?  How aware of that does Saul seem to be?  What does that say about Saul?
• Think through what Saul calls his son.  He said this in front of the entire 'table'.  Saul criticizes Jonathan for choosing David, yet his actions seem to support Jonathan's choice.  What is going on with Saul?
• Saul claims that what he's trying to fix is Jonathan's ascension to the throne.  Why might that not be what he's trying to do?
• Why does Jonathan 'grieve'?  What is it that he feels his father has done to David?
• Jonathan goes out as he said he would, and shoots arrows.  The boy knows nothing, and is sent back into the city before David comes out.  So what's with the boy in the first place?
• Why does David bow down to Jonathan 3 times?
• Jonathan refers to he and David's 'posterity' as they part.  Why might Jonathan be thinking about that as he parts from David?

That is probably more than enough for now.  We probably won't get to all these questions (if any - you know how it goes).  So, be sure to bring your own questions and observations with you Thursday.

Blessings upon you until then!

Sad and Shrewd: The Emotional Swings of Genesis 21

Hey Folks!

Here is the study page for Chapter 21.  I am debating about whether to tackle the entire chapter or just the first 21 verses.  The last part isn't long, but it is odd.  The questions will cover both pieces.

This is for the meeting on July 12.  Pay attention to the character of God shown here.  Also note that something is missing all through the first section.  The absence may not be obvious until you read it through a few times and ask yourself some questions about what's going on (that should annoy a lot of you ;)

As you read, ask a lot of questions, and jot them down.  Here are some to spur on some discussion on Thursday:

• Who is responsible for the birth of Isaac?
• What does Abraham do when his son is born?
• What does Sarah do? (and which do you think Isaac preferred?)
• This is the word used for "laughter" (H6712) in verse 6, it is related to the verb, "laugh" (H6711) used in the last part of the verse.  Look at the letters and the Strong's definitions.  Now look at "Isaac" (H3327) in the Strong's.  The similarity is really obvious when you look at the Hebrew letters, only the first letter is different.
• How does Abraham celebrate Isaac's "weaning"?
• Something turns the "laughter" to "mocking" (H6711) in verse 9.  Look at the various translations of this word.  How often is it translated as "mocking"?  Why is it "mocking" here, but "laughter" just a few verses prior?
• What is Sarah's real concern with keeping "Hagar's son" around?
• What is Abraham's response to Sarah's demand?
• What is the character of God demonstrated in His response to Abraham's dilemma?
• What is the emotions going on in Abraham as he acquiesces to his wife's demand to send Hagar and "her son" away?
• What does Hagar do when the water runs out?  How do you feel at verse 16?
• Who is crying? God responds but who does He hear?
• How does the son of Hagar make his way in the wilderness?  What similarities does he have with Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-9)?

Now, the next section:

• Who's the new guy?  Why do you think Abimelech now brings his "battle chief"?
• So, what does Abimelech propose?  What does Abraham say to the suggestion?
• After the oath (v. 24) what does Abraham want to discuss?  Look at verse 25 is several translations.  Look up this word for "complain" (H3198) in Strong's.  What is the tone of Abraham here with the "king"?
• What is Abimelech's response?  With his "battle chief" sitting there, how does this seem?
• Now there is another covenant, and what's with the seven lambs?
• What does it mean if Abimelech takes the lambs?
• In other places Abraham builds an altar, what does he do here?
• What name does Abraham use for God here?  Why that?  How, from all that transpires in this chapter, does Abraham arrive at that name for God?

That should do it for this week.  Be sure to write down your own questions and bring them Thursday!

Blessings!