2 Samuel 2
“A Kingdom Divided”
Scripture: 2 Samuel 2:1-32
Memory Verse: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot not stand.”
Mark 3:24
Lesson Focus: God’s never intended His people to be divided but united.
Activities and Crafts: Coloring page, work sheet
Craft for 1st and 2nd graders: “A Child of the King” Room Hanger
Introduction: Ask the kids: “Have you ever been on a team?”
How do teams work? Who is the leader? What happens when everyone on the team does not follow what the leader says? When you are on a team you need to work as a team or the team will fail. If a football team goes out on the field and every man does his own thing – do you think that team would win the game. Being on a team is learning about unity. You act as one unit. You do what is best for the whole team – not just want you want. Unity is important to the heart of God and we are going to see in today’s lesson that after the death of Saul – Israel is not united they are divided.
Bible Study:
2 Samuel 2:1-3: “David’s first Step”
√ What is the first thing that David does after mourning the death of Saul and
Jonathan?
√ What does he ask the Lord?
√ What does the Lord tell him?
√ What was David’s second question to the Lord?
√ What does God tell him?
√ Does David do what God tells him to do?
√ Who goes up with David?
Corrie Ten Boom asked this question; “Is prayer your steering wheel, or is it your spare tire?” Many of us pull out prayer when we are in trouble…when something has gone wrong. David uses prayer as his guide. He has an intimate relationship with God that goes to God for guidance – even before something is wrong.
2 Samuel 2:4-7: “David’s Second Anointing”
√ What did the men of Judah anoint David over? (The house of Judah)
√ Did Judah make up all of Israel? Why was this just a part of Israel?
√ What does David find out from the men of Judah? (who buried Saul and his sons)
√ What does David say to the people Jabesh Gilead? (he will show them kindness
because they showed kindness to the house of Saul.)
There is never any indication of any bitterness with David towards Saul. He continues to show kindness and grace to Saul’s family even after Saul is dead. These are things that he did not have to do – but David is serving God not man. He does those things that he feels God would want him to do.
God tells us in Colossians 3:12-13, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffereing; bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.”
We show one another kindness – because God has shown us kindness. We forgive – because God has forgiven us. David knew the character of God and His kindness and then David extended kindness and forgiveness to others, even to those that did not show it to him.
2 Samuel 2:8-17: “The Dividing of a Kingdom”
√ What does Abner do? Who is Abner?
√ Did Abner have the power to anoint a King?
√ Do you think that Abner went to God in prayer and sought His guidance?
(There is never any indication that Abner went to God in prayer or
sought God’s guidance. Yet he takes great steps to lead God’s people.)
√ Who did Abner anoint as King? (Ishobosheth)
√ Who was Ishobosheth? (Saul’s 40 year old son)
√ Who did Ishobosheth rule over? (Israel)
√ How long did Ishobosheth rule over Israel? (2 Years)
√ How long did David reign over Judah? (7 years and six months)
√ Do you think this is a good thing for Israel to have 2 kings? Why or why not?
Jesus said in the book of Mark when the religious rulers said that he was performing miracles through satan; If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot not stand.” Mark 3:24 Jesus knows that a kingdom cannot be divided – it will self-destruct – it will not last long. Unity is important to God.
2 Samuel 2:12-17: “Senseless Fighting”
√ What was Abner’s great idea in 2 Samuel 2:14? How did that idea work out?
How many young men died? (24)
√ What was the point of this challenge? (There was no point to this challenge.
But what happened afterwards was a fierce war between Israel and Judah. Brother’s fighting brothers. I believe that Abner wanted a war. He was a warrior and he wanted to be in battle.)
2 Samuel 2:18-23: “The Race of the Three Brothers”
√ What were the names of the 3 brothers?
√ Which one does the Bible talk about being very fast?
√ What does the Bible compare his speed to?
The book of Chronicles in the Bible is a book that reviews Israel’s history. And in 1 Chronicles 12:8, it refers to men that joined David’s army at the time he was running from Saul. David’s army at that time was made up of many men that the Bible describes as “worthless” men but we see here that David had some men of honor and valor. That is the description of these 3 brothers. “Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.”
So Asahel is running after Abner – and Abner does not like it.
√ How does the Bible describe Asahel’s running? (he does not turn to the left or the right.) That means that he does not let anything get in his way. He does not stop to drink or eat. He does not stop to tie up his Nike tennis shoes. He keeps running after Abner.
√ How does Abner respond to Asahel? (Abner must know who Asahel is – because he asks if that is his name. He tries to bribe him with one of the young men with him and to give him his armor.
√ Does Asahel take the bribe? (no)
Abner ends up killing Asahel
2 Samuel 2:24-32: “The truce”
Abner and Joab come to an agreement and quit fighting.
√ Who lost the most men?
√ How many did David loose?
√ Why do you think that the Bible says 19 men and Asahel? (The bible makes it
known that Asahel was special. He was a man of honor and valor who served David well.)
√ Do you think this is the end of the war between Israel and Judah?
We will see next week that it is not.
Conclusion:
√ Does this historical story bother you? Why or why not?
√ Why do people fight? Why do families fight? Why do nations
fight?
√ Why do you fight?
People want their own way. We think that we are right and that we deserve what we are fighting over.
Jesus’ last prayer in the garden before He was crucified was for those believers that he was leaving on earth. He prays in John 17:20-21 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
Jesus was praying for all believers for all time. He prays for unity. To be “one” is to be of one mind – to have unity. This divided kingdom for David and Israel is a bad deal – it will not come out well for Israel. But God has the same heart for us. To be united in Him.
1