Secret Sin, Public Punishment

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 28 to study 2 Samuel 12.  This is where David is confronted with his sin.  It also forms the beginning of all his troubles in his reign.  On the other hand, you will discover some elements of God's grace hidden among the sadness and shame.

Read through the chapter a few times, and look especially for those elements of this familiar story that escaped you before.  There are some that had escaped me.  Note curious things, and questions about God, David, or other elements in the text.  After you've read through it a few times, read through with the questions below:

• It may not be a big deal, but God sent Nathan to David.  What do you think it would mean if Nathan already knew, but God pushed him into confronting David?
• Consider the elements in Nathan's story carefully.  Think about how each character is revealed, a piece at a time.  At first what do you think of the rich man?
• Considering the detail given, how much do you think the rich man is concerned with his flocks & herds?
• Considering the contrast just in the amount of detail given regarding the poor man's ewe-lamb (give her name, it will help you emote this through), what do you think of the poor man's obsession with his ewe-lamb (Lamberkins? Lamborgini? Lamberta?)?
• A traveler comes to visit the rich man.  The wording is 'he spared his own' as he chose what to provide the traveler.  So, what do you think went through the rich man's mind as he 'opted' for his neighbor's sweet, tender, lamby-wammy?
• The story ends, and David goes off.  Why do you think this might have resonated so strongly with David; you know, besides the obvious shepherd connection?
• David calls the rich guy a 'son of death', yet says he should pay back four-fold.  Considering the details, how much would four lambs make up for what the one meant to the poor man?  How much 'punishment' is four lambs to the rich guy?
• So, how 'in-tune' with the story do you think David really was?
• Nathan then does the 'big reveal' by saying, "You the man!"  What do you think went through David's mind?
• Nathan the Prophet then starts the 'Thus says the Lord' part (or the first one), and God lists out all he did for David.  Consider what's on the list.  What would you think God should, or could, have left off for David's benefit?
• "Why have you despised the word of Yahweh?" is what God asks David.  Think about it, though, what does that imply?  What must David be familiar with in order for him to despise it? And so, how did he become familiar with it?
• God then lists a litany of 'curses' on David.  What do you think of this list?  How bad do you think it is?
• Nathan stops and there's a pause.  Consider David's response.  What does David's response reveal about David? How does how he receives his rebuke mark him as one still after the heart of God?
• Since David repents, Nathan says that he will live.  What does that reveal about what was actually hanging in the balance?  What does that mean for us when we think we know the consequences of our own sin?
• David won't die, but the child will.  How do you feel about God for this glimpse of His character?
• Who do you think the 'blaspheming enemies of Yahweh' might be?
• It takes seven days for the child to die. What does that say about God's character?
• David fasts and lays on the ground while the child lives.  Why do you think he does this after God told him the child would die?
• Who do you think these 'elders of David's house' are?
• After the child dies, the servants of David stand around whispering.  What do you think they fear about David if they told him the child died?
• David behaves rationally after the child dies.  What happened? Do you think there was any more to it than he stated?
• Who was consoling Bathsheba?  What do you think David's role in that should have been?
• What does David do first (after cleaning himself up)?  What do you think that says about his attitude toward God?
• David worships, eats, then goes into Bathsheba.  Why do you think that was the right order, or do you?
• Read verse 23 in as many translations as possible.  What do you think David means?
• Who names the second son Solomon?  Why do you think he goes by that instead of Jedidiah?
• What do you think Joab meant by the city will be named after him?  What other city was named for the conqueror that you can remember?
• This account of the defeat of the sons of Ammon is much more detailed than chapter 10.  So, what do you think the 'city of waters' or 'royal city' refers to?
• What do you think of David wearing the crown of the king of the sons of Ammon?
• What do you think of the decision to give conquered people 'sharp iron implements'?  How wise is that?
• So far, only one city of the sons of Ammon has been mentioned.  Now we read that all their cities were treated the same way.  What does that mean do you think?

That should keep us plenty busy for the evening.  Remember to bring your questions and observations!

Picking Fights, And Losing Them

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting February 12 to study 2 Samuel 10.  This chapter is informative about events, but I think really simply sets the stage and forms the 'backdrop' against which the events of the following chapter occur.  That's an assumption, not a given.

The events themselves are interesting for a few reasons.  One of which is the character of David, another is the character of Joab, and finally the nature of the Aramean rebellion.  Look for those elements in particular, but also note and jot down anything else that strikes you as interesting or odd.  Be sure to bring all that to our group meeting.

After reading through the chapter a few times on your own, read back through again with the questions below:

• Look back at the list of David's campaigns (chapter 8).  The 'sons of Ammon' are mentioned, but the battle isn't described.  What correlation do you think there might be between them being listed there, and this chapter?
•  If the reference in chapter 8 is to these events, what 'kindness' do you think Nahash had shown David (it's never actually mentioned)?
• David sends servants to 'mourn' with the son, Hanun.  What do you think the new king thought at first?  Why do you think the 'princes' were suspicious of David?
• Since the princes were suspicious, what do you think that might mean for the timing of all these events (this versus chapter 8 for instance)?
• Shaved half the beard and cut half the clothes, why do you think 'half'?  Why do you think Hanun treated them with such contempt, why not just kill them?
• David has them remain in Jericho until they have some beard-dignity back.  How do you think that was an act of kindness or was it?
• The 'sons of Ammon' realized they 'stink' to David.  So they gather an army, and hire mercenaries.  At what point does David send his own army?  What do you think the possibility might have been for Hanun to repent before this?
• The mercenaries were in the field (outside/away from the city), and the sons of Ammon were before the gates.  Why do you think Joab 'saw' the battle was before and behind?  Why put himself in that situation?
• Consider Joab's arrangement for battle. Why do you think he put the 'choice men' against the Arameans and under his command?
• Try to imagine this arrangement, Joab versus the Arameans and Abishai versus the city and Ammon.  What do you imagine it looks like?
• Joab gives an inspiring speech to the troops.  In verse 12 he says they should be strong and courageous for their 'people and the cities of our God'.  What are 'the cities of our God'?
• He finishes with, 'and may the Lord (Yahweh) do what is good in His eyes.'  So what is his challenge to his men and his assurance from God?
• The battle went well for Israel, but the Arameans didn't like that they lost, so they assemble an even larger army.  Who leads this battle for the Arameans?  Why do you think he is mentioned, what's the point?  How do you imagine him, what do you think he looks like?
• What correlation do you see here between the Aramean war in chapter 8 and this account?  What differences do you see?
• Who kills 'Shobach'?  Do you think it was actually him or one of his men?
• The Arameans make peace, and don't help the sons of Ammon any more.  What do you think that might mean for the sons of Ammon in the future?

That should keep us busy for a bit.  Next week we begin the account of David and Bathsheba; our story then becomes a 'soap opera'.  Remember to bring your notes and questions to the group.