Not Another Nathan

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting March 12 to study 2 Samuel 14.  This is a really strange story.  The 'story-within-the-story' bothers me because I find it difficult to connect to the overall story.  There are a variety of problems with it, one of which is timing, especially toward the end.

As always, please read the chapter through a few times.  You may have read ahead, but if you didn't, go ahead and do so now.  But come back and re-read this chapter a few times after that.  Jot down questions, insights, lessons learned, and details that you had missed before that jump out at you now.

After reading through several times, go back through using the questions below:

• Hebrew prepositions are pretty simple, and therefore have a huge range of interpretation.  The basic meaning in verse 1 is that the king's heart was 'on' Absalom.  This can also mean 'against', as in you 'lean against a wall' but also as in an adversary.  Consider the various translations you have, some on The Blue Letter Bible.  What do you think Joab 'saw' that he figured what was going on? What do you think David was doing that indicated his heart was 'on' Absalom?
• Tekoa is in Judah (see map below).  Why do you think Joab goes there? Was it 'famous for wisdom'? Did he know of one particular 'wise woman'? Was it simply somewhere if Judah Joab knew David didn't know anyone? Is that even possible?
• Joab 'put words in her mouth' (however a translation words it, that's how it was originally worded).  So, why do you think he need a 'wise woman' if it's his wisdom she's speaking?
• Read Numbers 35:6-28 and Deuteronomy 19:1-13.  The 'avenger' is the word for 'kinsman redeemer' as in Ruth.  What do you think of this legal system in dealing with murders and manslaughter issues?  Considering the rules as they are related here (and keep in mind Numbers is an older witness of them than Deuteronomy), what was supposed to happen to Absalom?
• Considering the story that the woman tells, how does her story relate to Absalom through these rules of the kinsman-avenger versus man-slayer?
• The connection between her story and Absalom may be tenuous (and I think it is), but what do you think about her application of it to David?  What do you think of what she claims are the effects of David's refusal to relent toward Absalom?
• So what do you think it mean for/to Absalom that he be allowed to come back 'free-and-clear'?  How do you think that sets up the rest of the story?
• What do you think of Joab's response to being called out by the king?  What does that tell you of Joab's attitude toward David?
• Why do you think David would let Absalom come back but not see him?  What do you think David was trying to achieve or prevent?
• From verses 25 through 27, what do you think of Absalom?  How do you think he saw himself?
• What about this 'Tamar', why do you think there is another?
• What do you think is more likely, that Absalom waits two years before beginning to summon Joab, or that over two years, he summons him twice, then after 2 years burns his field?
• Why do you think, after having gone through all of this to get Absalom back, does Joab not go see him when he is called for?
• What does it tell you about Absalom that he summons twice, then sets Joab's field on fire to get his attention.  What sort of person is Absalom?
• What do you think if Absalom's statement to either kill him or restore him fully?  What do you think David should have done?

That, and other stuff in this chapter, should keep us plenty busy.  Remember to bring your notes and questions to share in the group.  See you Thursday!

Justice For Dessert

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 5 to study 2 Samuel 13.  This account begins the narrative fulfilling the prophesy of Nathan from God regarding David's consequences for his sin with Bathsheba.  It lasts several chapters and is rather involved, somewhat like the succession narrative when David became king.  It is totally missing from Chronicles.

As far as narrative literature goes, I think this qualifies as a tragedy.  In this chapter I don't think anyone would argue that Tamar is a tragic figure.  In a sense, this account is like Judges in the how bad the moral decay becomes.

Read through this chapter several times.  Note the various character details given, especially features that are repeated (some almost irritatingly so).  Consider the point of this author/editor including this account in such detail.

After reading through several times, go back through with these questions:

• It says that brother Amnon loves sister Tamar, and uses that term rather emphatically.  From what follows, how 'loving' do you think was Amnon?  What other terms might better describe what he feels?
• Why do you think Amnon's feelings for Tamar are making him physically sick?  What is it about her being a virgin that's a problem?  Why do you think that she was his sister doesn't seem to phase him?
• Pay very close attention to Jonadab throughout this chapter.  What does he seem to be suggesting?  How much do you think he really knows or suspects about Amnon?
• What significance (if any) do you think there is in Amnon's small deviations from Jonadab's plan?
• Why do you think no one suspects what's really going on with Amnon?  Who do you think might know (if anyone)?
• Amnon refuses to eat at first, and has her send everyone out.  Why do you think Tamar consented, and why would everyone else just go along with this Amnon?
• When Amnon grabs her, Tamar gives an argument against what he's doing (duh).  So what do you think of her reasons why he shouldn't?  What about the king giving her to him in marriage?
• He doesn't listen and literally 'humiliates' her.  Why do you think he was so radically changed in his demeanor toward her at that point?
• Why do you think his servants obeyed when Amnon commanded she be expelled?
• Tamar's robe is described here in more detail.  Why do you think that is?
• What do you imagine people thought as they saw her in that robe torn, and ashes on her head, weeping?
• She goes to Absalom, and he tells her to be quiet about it.  Why do you think he would do that?
• David hears of it anyway (news travels fast in Jerusalem) he was angry, but what did he do?  Why do you think he didn't do anything?
• Absalom hates Amnon, but didn't say anything, and Tamar doesn't say anything because Absalom says not to. Where does that leave David to do anything about this?
• What do you think is going on in Amnon's head?  What sort of person do you think he is?
• It's two years later and Absalom first invites David to the shearing.  Why do you think he did that? What do you think he would have done had David come?
• Why do you think Amnon would have been a reasonable 'replacement' for the king?
• Do you think Solomon went, as one of 'all the kings sons'?
• What about Absalom giving the order to kill Amnon makes it easier for his 'servants'/'men'? 
• What are all the kings sons riding around these days?
• So news reaches Jerusalem ahead of the rich-boy 'mules' they're riding, but how accurate is it?
• How do you think the news reached Jerusalem before the sons of the king?
• Jonadab is back.  From what he says, how much do you think he knows about what's going on?
• Why do you think Jonadab is so sure that only Amnon is dead?
• So, how surprising do you think this should have been for David?
• No one seems to see any of this coming.  Why do you think that is?
• Look up some commentaries and see if you can find anything about how 'legal' Absalom's killing of Amnon actually is.
• Why do you think Absalom go to Geshur?
•  Why do you think David is so favorable to Absalom, even after he kills Amnon?

That should keep us busy for a while.  Blessings upon you all until Thursday!

Deadly Lack of Discretion

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 19 to study 2 Samuel 11.  Well, this is the one we all seem to know best.  This is where the life of David becomes a tragic 'soap opera'.  For him this is the turning point where so much of his life seems to slide downhill.  I can probably come up with a lot of other descriptive cliche's but you get the picture.

Per my usual instructions, read the chapter through a few times.  There's a better than even chance that you will find details you had always missed before.  You will probably notice elements to the story that you've never heard.  Please jot these down so we can discuss them Thursday.  One element that dawned on me is how many people in David's household were involved in all of this.  I always thought of it as some big secret, but seriously, there's no way.  What were some you noticed?

After reading it through several times, jotting down observations and questions, read it through again with the questions below:

• It may have been the season when kings go out to war, but how odd do you think it was for David to remain in Jerusalem?  What do you think might be wrong here?
• David walks about on the roof in the evening.  What do you think might be wrong with this?
• While on the roof he sees some woman bathing, and she's pretty.  What do you think is wrong so far?
• David inquires about her.  How do you think he accomplishes this? Who else is now involved?
• What about David's inquiry do you think might be a problem?
• After finding out about her, he then sends for her.  Now we've obviously crossed a line.  This is clearly wrong.  How do you think David got to this place?  
• How long do you think it took, from seeing her from the roof, inquiry, to sending for her?
• David sends, but they 'take' her, but she goes with them (read verse 4 in as many translations as you have available).  So, how much do you think was coercion, and how much was her willingness?
• The NIV seems to imply this takes place after her 'period' (see Leviticus 15), but look at other translations as well, especially if you have a New American Standard.  It's certainly possible, otherwise it's confusing.  What are some interesting things we know now about such timing? (i.e.the 'calendar method'?)
• So, the 'calendar method' doesn't work for them (what a surprise).  She sends to David letting him know she's pregnant.  As king, why do you think this is a big deal for him?
• David sends for Uriah the Hittite.  He comes and David asks about the people fighting.  In each case, he uses the term, 'shalom'.  What does that tell you about the term we normally think of as some sort of divine peace?
• Uriah refuses to go to his own house, but remains with David's servants.  Consider the elements of Uriah's reason given to David.  What kind of character does Uriah show here?  What sort of guy is this Uriah?
• What do you think of Uriah's 'oath' in stating he will not do such a thing as go home?
• David then tries getting Uriah drunk, but he still doesn't go home.  How is Uriah looking now?
• Take a second, and consider Bathsheba.  How do you think she feel about her husband's devotion? If this is his character then in their life together, where is she in his 'pecking order'?
• David sends Uriah back to Joab with a note...Uriah carries his own death warrant.  What do you think Joab thinks when he reads the note Uriah carries?
• Joab complies, but it costs more than just Uriah.  How is David looking to you right now?  What do you feel as you read this particular piece?  That emotion is what the writer/editor is trying to evoke in the people of his day.  Why do you think he would do that?  What do you think is his point?
• Joab sends a messenger back to David and gives him some rather strange details, guessing David will refer to a historical tactical lesson.  Read Judges 9 to get the back story on the 'lesson'.  But the messenger seems to jump to the part about Uriah without waiting.  What would you think if I told you that the older Greek text has David saying exactly what Joab expected?
• What does it reveal to you about the historical setting that the story in Judges is so well known, that such stories are 'lessons' in tactics and God?
• David is then consolatory with the messenger's return message to Joab.  What do you think the messenger thinks?  Consider only what he knows, what do you think he thought of all this?
• For propriety, Bathsheba mourns for Uriah.  When the time is over, David brings her into his house.  What do you think everyone else thinks?  
• Remember what the messenger knows.  Do you think he can connect the dots yet?
• Do you think that after the battle the other soldiers moved a few more blocks away from the palace?
• What do you think about the very last verse of the chapter?

That should keep us busy for two weeks, but we'll see if we can get it into one.  Remember to bring your questions, observations, and differences between how you thought it went and how you see it now.   I look forward to seeing everyone 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.