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Lesson 11: OT: 2nd Samuel –chps 16-20 www.sistersatthewell.org
Lesson 11—2nd Samuel 16-20: Rebellion
Read: 2 Samuel 16- Sorrowful Retreat
1. Sneak peak: We find out later that Ziba is lying in these first three verses. What, then, is his motivation and true character?
b. Why is it never good to make a decision based on only one side of a story? Read 2 Sam 19:24-30. What is M.’s defense of himself?
2. Shimei curses the king and accuses him of 1) being bloodthirsty and wicked, 2) of destroying the house of Saul, and 3) says God has chosen Absalom over David. What is the truth of each of his accusations?
b. What is Christ-like in David’s reaction to Shimei? (see notes)
3. What counsel does Ahithophel give to Absalom? (see notes) Then re-read 2 Sam 12:11-12. Who foretold this terrible public act and why did it occur?
Read: 2 Samuel 17- God in Charge
4. Count the number of I’s in Ahithophel’s plan for David. Who would lead the troops in this plan? Was it a good plan?
5. Hushai, David’s undercover agent, proposes another plan. What basic advantage does Hushai’s plan give David? How did Hushai’s plan appeal to Absolom’s vanity? (see notes)
6. Read David’s prayer in 2 Sam 15:31. What happens in this chapter that enables Hushai’s advice to prevail?
b. How does God’s hand in this chapter give you encouragement as you live in the midst of the instability and world political turmoil of the last days?
7. Three good men do David a great service in the last 3 verses of this chapter. What kind of things do they bring?
b. How can we learn from this about how to help others when they are in bitter circumstances? Share a personal experience if you like.
Read: 2nd Samuel 18 The End of Absolom
7. Why does David ask his commanders to “deal gently” with a man who is trying to kill him, take his kingdom and has raped his wives?
8. Why do you think Absalom’s death was a fitting way for him to die?
9. How many times does David say “my son” in verse 33? _____ In what way is David a type here of the sacrificial love God has for His sinning children? (Remember: a type must only show some similarity. There are always differences too.)
Read: 2nd Samuel 19 The Sad Walk Home
10. Feelings are not bad of themselves, but David’s grief was making him forget some important things he needed to remember. What did Joab’s stern wake-up call remind David of?
11. How does David rise to the occasion even though he is in grief?
12. The people of Israel rejected David and gave their allegiance to traitorous Absalom. David does not reinstate his authority by force. He waits for the people of Israel to support him as king, and bid him return. How does he use his high priests as negotiators?
13. Thought Question: God also does not force His reign in our hearts. He waits for our hearts to “be swayed” and to invite Him in. How can we invite God to rule in our lives?
14. How does Shimei humble himself before King David? What things about his speech show sincerity?
b. Does he “deserve” the mercy David shows him? Did Saul?
15. Do you think David’s promotion of Amasa to commander of his armies, as a gesture of reconciliation to the former supporters of Absalom was wise or foolish?
16. The men of Judah and the men of the 10 tribes of Israel argue over who gets to be the one to welcome home the king. How does competition show selfishness? (see notes)
Read: 2nd Samuel 20 The Insurrection of Sheba
17. Sheba rebels against King David and the tribe of Judah. David tells Amasa to gather the troops. How does Joab get rid of Amasa? What can we learn about Joab from this chapter?
16.The troops plan to destroy the whole city of Abel Beth-maachah. How does one wise woman save them from this?
b. How can women use their gifts to put oil on troubled waters?
Lesson 11 Reading Notes
Taken from the Seminaries and Institutes Old Testament Student Manual: Genesis to 2nd Samuel
Chapter 16 Notes:
Why did David choose to endure the curses of Shimei?
“Note the rationale behind David’s humbly choosing to endure the curses of Shimei of the house of Saul: (1) any dishonor was considered negligible compared to the dishonor of his own son taking his kingship and seeking his life; (2) if he suffered his afflictions patiently, perhaps the Lord would have mercy upon him and requite him later; (3) perhaps the Lord Himself had commanded Shimei to curse him; (4) since the sons of Zeruiah (Abishai and Joab) were such men of violence, David countered as usual with more moderate action.” (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 1:187.)
Why Did Ahithophel Advise Absalom to Take David’s Concubines?
“Lying with the king’s concubines was an appropriation of the royal harem, and, as such, a complete usurpation of the throne . . . which would render any reconciliation between Absalom and his father utterly impossible, and therefore would of necessity instigate the followers of Absalom to maintain his cause with all the greater firmness. This was what Ahithophel hoped to attain through his advice. For unless the breach was too great to be healed, with the affection of David towards his sons, which might in reality be called weakness, it was always a possible thing that he should forgive Absalom; and in that case Ahithophel would be the one to suffer.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 2:2:428.)
Chapter 17 Notes:
Why did Ahithophel commit suicide?
Ahithophel clearly understood David’s vulnerability at this stage of the revolt. Had his counsel been followed, the result would have been critical for David. Twelve thousand men against the small band who had fled with David would have been a disaster for David. Hushai saved the situation for David, first, by convincing Absalom that a delay while he gathered more strength to his army would be wise, and, second, by warning David to flee in case Ahithophel’s counsel was followed.
Ahithophel knew his only hope lay in Absalom’s success. Since he was a traitor to King David, if David won, his fate was sealed. Understanding perfectly that a delay meant the ultimate defeat of Absalom and David’s return to the throne, Ahithophel returned to his home and, after putting things in order, committed suicide.
Chapter 19 Notes:
Implications of Future Rift between 10 Tribes and the Tribe of Judah
2 Samuel 19:41–20:2 . As David and his armies returned to Jerusalem after paying tribute to Barzillai (see 2 Samuel 19:31–40 ), a violent quarrel broke out between the leaders of Judah and the leaders of the other tribes, who felt that Judah was monopolizing David. As a result of this conflict, the leaders of the other tribes of Israel stormed off in high vexation, leaving Judah alone to escort David back to Jerusalem. This incident portended a whole new round of revolution.
The revolt of Sheba (see 2 Samuel 20:1–2 ) could scarcely have been a real threat to David’s rule, but once again the animosity of the other tribes was manifested against Judah and resulted in the eventual division of the house of Israel (see 1 Kings 12 ).
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