2 Samuel

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2 Samuel: Lesson 24 — What’s The Cost?

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 24 (What’s The Cost?)
2 Samuel 24
March 13, 2013

The Text:

  1. How does God feel about Israel as chapter 24 opens?  What does He do about it?  How did David respond?  What did Joab think about the plan?  Why?  Who won the discussion?
    –
  2. How long did the census take?  What did the census reveal?  What was David’s reaction when the census report was given to him?
    –
  3. Who was Gad?  Who gave him a message for David?  What were the options given in that message?  What is David’s response?
    –
  4. What did God do in Israel because of David’s choice?  What was God’s reaction to the result?  How does David react to what he sees happening?
    –
  5. What did Gad tell David to do?  Who really sent the message?  What does David tell Araunah is the reason for his visit?  What is offered to David to help him accomplish his request?  What is David’s response?  How does God respond to David’s actions?

 

 

The Application:

  1. What makes God angry?  Does God’s anger give you the right to act against the subjects of His anger?  Why do we seem to want to measure everything?  How hard is it to submit to a plan that you firmly believe is wrong?
    –
  2. How thorough are you in completing assignments given to you?  Are you ever tempted to take shortcuts?  Why?  What advantages/disadvantages are there to measuring your resources?  How do you relate to God when you realize you have done something wrong or, at the very least, foolish?
    –
  3. How does God get your attention when He needs to deal with sin in your life?  How do you respond to consequences that come out of your bad decisions?  What is your primary concern when faced with consequences?
    –
  4. Have you ever felt what seemed like the judgment of God against you?  How do you think God felt about it?  How do you feel when others suffer because of your actions?
    –
  5. What does God want from you?  Do we ever attempt to “short-circuit” someone’s attempt to give God what He wants?  How committed are we to being responsible for what God wants from us?  How does God respond to your trust of Him?

 

 

Next Week: Who’s In Charge?
1 Kings 1

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2 Samuel: Lesson 23 — Final Words

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 23 (Final Words)
2 Samuel 23
March 6, 2013

The Text:

  1. What was the source of David’s final words?  How is David described?  What had God told David about how to rule?  What did David conclude about his house?  What does David say about evil men?
    –
  2. How large of a group was the core of David’s mighty men?  What did this core group have in common?  Did they always have the backing of the Israelite army?  How successful were they?
    –
  3. How many men came to see David at the cave of Adullam?  Where were the Philistines?  What did David want?  What was done about it?  How did David respond?  Why?
    –
  4. Who was chief of David’s core group?  Was he one of them?  How did his fame or honor compare with the core?  Who was in charge of David’s bodyguard detail?  What were his credentials?  How well-known was he?
    –
  5. Who are the men listed at the end of this chapter?  How many of them are named?  How many does the text say were a part of this group?  Where were these men from?

 

 

The Application:

  1. Where would you want your words to come from if you knew they would be your last?  What should that say about the words you use daily that could be your last?  Are you confident of God’s favor upon you . . . Why/why not?  Is evil painful enough in your life that you avoid direct contact with it?
    –
  2. Do you have a core group of people  you can count on?  Is it better for that group to be few or many . . . Why?  Are you in that role for someone else?  How willing are you to stand for right even if no one else does?  How likely are you to stand with someone who takes a stand against evil?
    –
  3. How willing are you to risk your safety to meet the request of someone?  How much value do you put on risks that others take for your benefit?
    –
  4. Do you ever feel excluded . . . Why?  How should being the best at what God calls you to do counteract that feeling?  How can you make others feel valuable?
    –
  5. Who would you include in a list of “mighty” people in your life?  Do you even know all their names?  How different are the people on that list?

 

 

Next Week: What’s The Cost?
2 Samuel 24

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2 Samuel: Lesson 22 — Song of Victory

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 22 (Song of Victory)
2 Samuel 22
February 20, 2013

The Text:

  1. Who had God delivered David from?  What’s the difference?  What did David do in response to God’s deliverance?
    –
  2. What words does David use to describe God in the opening of this song?  What does this say to you about his view of God?  How does he describe the circumstances that God rescued him from?
    –
  3. How does David describe the act of God rescuing him?  Why did God respond in such a manner?  How does this compare to your view of God’s anger?
    –
  4. Why was David rescued by God?  What does David say was the measure God used in determining his reward?  How does David describe himself?  How does he describe God’s actions and ways?
    –
  5. Where did David’s strength and training come from?  How does David portray his efforts and God’s efforts in his battles?  How does David conclude his song?

 

The Application:

  1. Has God delivered you?  Who/what has He delivered you from?  Are there times His deliverance is from someone/something you would not consider an enemy?  How do you respond to God’s deliverance?
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  2. How do you view God’s ability to deliver and protect you?  What about Him gives you a sense of security?  How does recognizing the seriousness of your situations if God doesn’t show up help you in your worship of Him?
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  3. Do you ever feel that God has, or would, move heaven and earth to come to your aid?  Do you ever think about the anger of God directed toward you enemies?  How does/should that make you feel?  What do you think was unique about David’s enemies that may not always be true about your enemies?
    –
  4. Do you believe God could be delighted in you?  If God’s rewarding of you is based on your cleanness in His sight, what size reward do you expect?  Remembering David’s entire life and his view of himself before God, do you think your view of yourself is accurate?
    –
  5. Where does your strength and help come from?  How involved are you, is God, in your battles?  How do you choose to honor and praise God on a daily basis?

 

 

Next Week: Final Words
2 Samuel 23

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2 Samuel: Lesson 21 — Unfinished Business

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 21 (Unfinished Business)
2 Samuel 21
February 13, 2013

The Text:

  1. What event sets the background for the opening of chapter 21?  What does David do?  What does God have to say about it?
    –
  2. Who were the Gibeonites?  What had they been promised?  What had happened instead?  What did David ask them?  How do they initially respond?
    –
  3. When David presses the issue of what he can do for them, how do they respond?  What is David’s response to their request?  Who is spared?  Why?
    –
  4. Who was Rizpah?  What did she do?  How did David respond to her actions — what did he do and have done?  How did God respond?
    –
  5. What happens when David goes with his men to fight the Philistines?  How did David’s men respond to this?  Why?  What is a common theme through the rest of the battles described in this chapter?

 

The Application:

  1. Have you ever been hungry — physically, emotionally, spiritually — over a long period of time?  What did you do about it?  What should you do about it?  What did God say about it?
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  2. Have you ever had someone not keep a promise?  Have you ever not kept a promise?  How does either side of that make you feel?  Are there times where you know that making things right is out of your hands?
    –
  3. How far would you go to right a wrong that you may not have been responsible for but you have the power to change?  Why do you think God warns us against making rash vows or promises?
    –
  4. How do you react when it hurts to make wrongs right?  What response do you have when you observe someone who is hurting or mourning?  How has God responded to your times of godly repentance and mourning?
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  5. What effect does discovering you can no longer do what you used to do have on you?  How hard is it to admit that?  How hard is it to have to point that out to someone else for their own good?  How important is it to you to train/mentor the next generation of godly warriors?  What are you doing about it?

 

 

Next Week: Song of Victory
2 Samuel 22

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2 Samuel: Lesson 20 — Trouble and Advice

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 20 (Trouble and Advice)
2 Samuel 20
February 6, 2013

The Text:

  1. Who was Sheba?  What was significant about his family heritage?  What did he announce to all who would hear?  What was the result?
    –
  2.  What role had Amasa been given?  What did David ask him to do?  How prompt was he in following David’s request?  How did David view Sheba?  What did David ask Abishai to do?  How prompt was he in following David’s request?
    –
  3. While the army carries out David’s command, who comes to meet them?  What did Joab do to him?  What does one of Joab’s men say to the rest of the army?  What kept the men from responding positively?  How is that problem resolved.  What is the result?
    –
  4. What did Joab and the army start to do when they catch up with Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah?  Who asks to speak to Joab?  What does she say about the city?  What does she suggest Joab’s current actions are doing to the city?
    –
  5. What reason does Joab give for the actions of he and his army?  What condition does he give for them to stop?  How does the woman respond?  How did the people of the city respond to her advice?  What was the result?

 

 

The Application:

  1. How important is your heritage in determining your actions?  Do “troublemakers” tend to get your attention?  What things make them so effective in causing division?
    –
  2. Do you ever reach a point that you forget who’s in charge?  How prompt are you at following God’s directives?  Do you think there are times God chooses someone else for a task because we’ve not been prompt in obeying?
    –
  3. How do you interact with people who seem irresponsible?  How about when that person is promoted or honored above yourself?  Are there visible remnants of wrong in your life that keep people from following the right way?
    –
  4. Do you ever suffer for the wrong of someone else?  Do you ever treat groups of people badly because of the actions of one person?  How do you bring wisdom into these times?
    –
  5. How can explaining the reasons for your actions help resolve “third-party” conflict?  When you feel under attack, how hard is it to identify wrong and get rid of it?

 

 

Next Week: Unfinished Business
2 Samuel 21

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2 Samuel: Lesson 19 — Everyone Loves A Victor

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 19 (Everyone Loves A Victor)
2 Samuel 19
January 30, 2013

The Text:

  1. What was Joab told about David?  What effect did David’s reaction have on the army?  How did they return to the city?   What does Joab have to say to David?  What conclusion does Joab present based on David’s actions?  How does David respond?
    –
  2.  What had the Israelites done?  What do they seem to be confused about?  What message does David send to the priests?  What is the result of the message?
    –
  3. Who cames to meet David on his way back to Israel?  Who is with him?  What is his request?  What does Abishai recommend?  How does David respond?
    –
  4. Who else comes to meet David?  How does he look?  What does David want to know from him?  What is his report?  How does David respond?  How is that response received?
    –
  5. Who is the next person who comes to see David cross the Jordan back into Israel?  What had he done?  What does David suggest he do?  What response does he give David?  What conflict arises between the men of Israel and the men of Judah?  Is it resolved?

 

The Application:

  1. Are there times you are sad about something even when you know it had to happen?  How does the sadness of others affect how you feel about good events?  How does your reaction to events affect others?  How can you encourage people even when you are hurting?
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  2. How does confusion about who is in charge make you feel?  What about God reminds you of why He deserves to be in charge of your life?  Are there times you need reminded that He really is king?  How can you be one who reminds others?
    –
  3. How hard is it to see someone who has mistreated you?  . . . That you have mistreated?  Do you still want revenge after a person comes clean and admits they were wrong?  How does knowing who you are help you to extend mercy?
    –
  4. How do you feel when circumstances keep you from what/where you desire?  How about if it’s a betrayal that has kept you isolated?  Is being with God enough to forget everything else you “ought” to have?
    –
  5. What brings satisfaction to you?  How likely are you to pass honor/respect on to someone else when it is offered to you?  How can you avoid/resolve conflict when it seems to be more about who gets the credit because both sides appear to want the same thing?

Next Week: Trouble and Advice
2 Samuel 20

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2 Samuel: Lesson 18 — Is It Worth It?

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 18 (Is It Worth It?)
2 Samuel 18
January 23, 2013

The Text:

  1. What did David do with his troops?  What did he intend to do?  What concern/advice did his men have?  How did David respond?  What was David’s final order as the men left?
    –
  2. How did the battle go?  Who/what was responsible for the greatest number of casualties?  What happened to Absalom when he met David’s men?  How did Joab respond to the man who had seen Absalom in his predicament?  How does this man respond to Joab?
    –
  3. What did Joab do?  Who helped?  What was done with Absalom?  How did this impact the people of Israel?  What had been Absalom’s concern during his lifetime?
    –
  4. Who volunteers to deliver news to David?  How does Joab respond?  Who does Joab choose instead?  Did this satisfy the first request?  What did he do?
    –
  5. What did David think as the first messenger approached?  Why?  What reputation did Ahimaaz have?  What report did he give?  Was it complete?  How did the Cushite respond when David asked about Absalom?  How did David take the news?

–

The Application:

  1. When are some times you need to trust your resources, or something you control, to the oversight of others?  How hard is it to actually let someone else lead?  Are there times that you might draw unnecessary attention so entrusting someone else is more productive?
    –
  2. Are there times in your life that you feel the spiritual battle around you, and affecting you, is going well?  Who is responsible for the greatest victories in your life?  Who would you tell if you see something you don’t know what to do about?  Are there things that you are convince aren’t worth it no matter who asks you to do them?
    –
  3. Do you ever approach a situation with your own agenda even when you know God has specific instructions in regard to it?  Why do we do this?  How important is leaving a legacy to you?
    –
  4. What type of news would you be eager to deliver to someone?  Why?  How persistent would you be?  Are there times you would send a “stranger” to deliver news?  Why?
    –
  5. What are some signs that would make you think a person is bringing good news?  . . . Bad news?  If someone saw you coming with a message for them, would they assume it is good news or bad news?  Is there a good or proper way to deliver bad news?  How do you respond to bad news?

 
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Next Week: Everyone Loves a Victor
2 Samuel 19

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2 Samuel: Lesson 17 — Conflicting Advice

The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 2 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

A Man After God’s Own Heart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Study of the Book of 2 Samuel

Lesson 17 (Conflicting Advice)
2 Samuel 17
January 16, 2013

The Text:

  1. What advice does Ahithophel give Absalom?  How is that advice received?  Why does Absalom summon Hushai?
    –
  2. What does Hushai tell Absalom about David?  . . . About Absalom’s men?  What advice does Hushai give?  How is that advice received?  Why?
    –
  3. What message does Hushai have sent to David?  Who did he entrust the message to?  How was it delivered?  What did David do when he received the message?
    –
  4. How did Ahithophel react when he realized his advice was not being taken?  What did he do?
    –
  5. Where did David go?  What was brought to him?  Who brought it?  Why?
    –

The Application:

  1. Who do you go to for advice?  What makes them a good source for advice?  Do you often look for “second opinions” even when the first makes sense to you?
    –
  2. Is it possible to tell the truth in “non-truthful” or deceptive ways?  How?  When you are given two opinions, how do you decide which one is more reliable or useful?
    –
  3. What could be some advantages of hearing “worst case scenarios”?  Disadvantages?  How quick are you to respond to reliable warnings?  Do people view you as reliable in a way that your warning them about the danger of life outside of Christ causes them to act?
    –
  4. Have you ever been given good advice that was ignored?  How does that make you feel?  How can you keep from being discouraged when you know the right thing to do and no one else will accept it?
    –
  5. Where do you go when you’re in trouble?  Why?  Do you have people who would notice your needs and help meet them?  Do you pay attention to the real needs of others so that you can help them?
    –

Next Week: Is It Worth It?
2 Samuel 18