SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
2 Samuel 13:1 through 24:25

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, and that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” (2 Samuel 22:48-50)

BACKGROUND

David was a man of devotion to God, and had been anointed by God to be the leader over His chosen people. Although David was the most just of all Israel’s kings, he was not perfect. After restoring the nation of Israel to peace and great military power, his personal life became entangled in sin. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and then ordered the murder of her husband in an attempt to cover up his deeds. Through the prophet Nathan, God rebuked David and pronounced severe judgment upon his household. In chapters 13 through 24 of 2 Samuel, God’s judgment against David’s household was fulfilled. Amnon, David’s son, molested his half sister, Tamar. Absalom publicly humiliated David’s concubines. Both David’s sons — Amnon and Absalom — were killed.

David had to face the consequences of his sins, even though he repented and his connection to God was restored. A string of tragic events befell David’s family; the record of lust, murder, rebellion, and exile, added up to a price David probably never dreamed he would have to pay when he first fell into sin. He also experienced trouble and distress on a national level, having to flee for his own life when his kingship was challenged through the treachery of Absalom.

David lived with ongoing reminders of his sinful deeds for the rest of his life. This account of the final years of his life serves as a warning to us of the terrible consequences of sin, but also of the great mercy of God when one turns from sin in repentance.

The final four chapters of 2 Samuel give an “addendum” to David’s life story, and are not necessarily in chronological order. His final psalm is given, and his best warriors are listed. The sad story is given of how David numbered Israel and the resulting judgment. But then the writer recounts David’s beautiful declaration that he would only offer to God that which cost him something. David’s life serves as an object lesson to us yet today.  

SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

1. In 2 Samuel 13:31, King David responds with deep grief over events that had occurred in his family. In two or three sentences, summarize the cause of his grief.
   
   Your students’ answers should provide a summary of the events of chapter 13. David’s son Amnon had yielded to his lust for his half-sister Tamar and had raped her, and in revenge for this despicable act, Absalom had murdered Amnon. This caused fear in the hearts of David’s other sons, and they all fled. Initially, word came to David that all of his sons had been slain. Though this drastic report proved to be false, David was deeply grieved because of the untimely death of Amnon, his first-born son.
   
   Bring out to your class that God had said that David’s family would suffer as a result of his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:9-10). The events of this chapter recount the beginning of that promised judgment.
   
2. In our day of moral relativism, many people believe that their own behavior is a matter of personal choice. How do the consequences of sin, disobedience, and rebellion affect the lives of others? Cite specific examples to support your answer.
   
   Sin, disobedience, and rebellion bring pain, damage, and grief into the lives of others, not only to the victims but also to those who follow the example of the perpetrator. Allow time for your students to cite specific examples. You could come prepared with some examples drawn from your local newspapers; they should not be hard to find.
   
   You may wish to bring out that the closer the connection, the greater the impact of the sinful behavior: for example, the lifestyle chosen by parents often has a tremendous impact on their children. Relate the discussion to today’s lesson, pointing out that in Absalom, David saw the results of his own past sins.
   
3. Following his murder of Amnon, Absalom was forced to flee from Jerusalem. In an attempt to have him restored to royal favor, Joab hired a “wise woman” of Tekoa to approach David with a contrived story paralleling David’s own experience with Absalom. How did David respond? 2 Samuel 14:11-21
   
   David quickly reacted with a merciful judgment in the matter, and promised forgiveness and protection to this widow’s son based on the fact that two wrongs do not make a right. It would not do to kill the heir of the departed Israelite and thus cut off his inheritance among God’s people. Then the true purpose of the woman’s account was revealed. David saw in the story a rebuke of his own treatment of Absalom, and gave permission to Absalom to return to Jerusalem, although he was ordered to remain in his own house and was not allowed to see his father.
   
4. When confronted with his sin concerning Bathsheba and Uriah, David acknowledged it and wholeheartedly repented. God forgave him, opening the way for him to begin life anew. Using 2 Samuel 13:28 and 15:2-4,10,14, contrast Absalom’s behavior with that of his father.
   
   Absalom sinned and kept on sinning. As a proud, independent, and scheming young man, he followed his sin of murder with conniving against his father, an unlawful assumption of the throne, and the attempted murder of his father. Absalom not only rejected his father’s love, but he also rejected God’s love.
   
   Bring out to your students that God offers forgiveness, but we will not experience that forgiveness until we confess our sins and completely and wholeheartedly repent of them. God knows the heart, and he will never turn aside one who comes to Him with “a broken heart; and . . . a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
   
5. In chapter 16, we read of Shimei’s verbal tirade against David. How did David respond to the insults and curses heaped upon him? What lesson can we learn from his attitude? 2 Samuel 16:5-14
   
   Shimei’s verbal abuse was unjustified because David had not had any part in Saul’s death. David quietly tolerated the abuse, because He knew that his deliverance would come from God (2 Samuel 16:12).
   
   Discussion of the second question should bring out that maintaining our composure in the face of unjust criticism or verbal assault can be a difficult experience. However, God knows what we are enduring and He will help us to respond in a Christ-like manner if we will look to Him. Notice that David’s trust was in the fact that the Lord controlled the circumstances that came his way. What assurance this brings when we are assailed by the fiery darts of the enemy! Encourage your students to share examples from their own experience or knowledge of times when the Lord helped one to respond quietly to an unjustified attack. What might be the results in the lives of the one attacked, the assailant, and/or the onlookers when a godly response is given?
   
6. In 2 Samuel 18:6-18, we read Absalom’s death; verse 33 records David’s great anguish. Why do you think David was so upset over the death of his rebellious son?
   
   David truly loved his son, even though Absalom’s actions certainly made him undeserving of that love. David also may have recognized that his actions, at least in part, contributed to Absalom’s death. Perhaps some of his grief revolved around the ignominious nature of Absalom’s death, and the fact that he had been killed in direct violation of David’s command that no one should harm him.
   
7. David’s grief for Absalom was so intense that it appeared he did not appreciate the military victory that had been won. Joab pointed out that there would be terrible consequences if David did not commend the troops for their achievement. For the sake of political strategy, he urged David to go and “speak comfortably unto thy servants.” What was the result? 2 Samuel 19:8
   
   David followed Joab’s advice, and went forth and sat in the gate. The people came before the king and were shortly convinced that the king should be brought back to the royal city.
   
   Here is an opportunity to discuss with your class the fact that, at times, God may place us in a position where we must offer advice to a fellow brother or sister. What attitude of heart should we have in such cases? How might our manner of delivery impact the acceptance or rejection of the message?
   
8. In Chapter 24, David commanded that a census be taken, which brought the anger of the Lord against Israel and a pestilence resulting in 70,000 deaths throughout the land. When David pled with God for “these sheep,” God commanded him to make an offering in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah offered to give David the property and the necessities for the offering. What was David’s response, and what can we learn from it? 2 Samuel 24:24
   
   David would not accept the generosity of Araunah, for he felt that if he did so, the offering would not have been his offering. David purchased Araunah’s threshing floor, oxen, and wooden plows for full price — the latter two purchases being used as sacrificial animals and fuel for the altar fire.
   
   Ask your class what Biblical principle is illustrated here. Conclude together that God puts a high value on sacrificial offerings. The only meaningful sacrifice is one that costs us something, and paying the full price is what makes it meaningful. Our giving must be from our hearts. When God requires a consecration from us, what is the motive of our hearts when we yield to Him? Are we just giving to “get” a blessing? Or are we giving because we want to please God with every part of our being?
   
9. Chapter 22 is filled with significant insights into God and what it means to have Him as our God. What major themes are developed in David’s song as recorded in this chapter?
   
   Class responses will likely bring out that themes include “praise,” “deliverance,” and “salvation.” Use these words as column headings, and note under each one the verses that pertain to these thoughts.
   
   Discuss with your class how praise, deliverance, and salvation were a major part of David’s life, noting specific examples of each. Among godly role models in the Bible, probably no one stands out more than David in relation to these three words. Thoughts along these lines could be a method of summarizing David’s entire life as a conclusion to our study of 1 and 2 Samuel.

CONCLUSION

Through the help of God, David had accomplished what no other leader before him had accomplished — Israel was finally at peace after more than 400 years of political upheaval. Throughout his reign, the basis of David’s administration was dedication to God and the well-being of the people. Though he failed God, he admitted his guilt and repented. His devotion toward God ultimately earned him the honor of being called “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22).