Irmela

Q2. (2 Samuel 23:1-7) How does David describe himself in verse 1? In what sense was David a prophet? What is the main message of verses 3-7? How can this psalm guide government officials and elected leaders in our day? He describes himself as the son of Jesse, exalted by God Most High and anointed by the God of Jacob. He does not forget that even in his exalted station in life, he is "Israel's singer of songs". An oracle is used if and when it is a divine utterance. So David would utter prophecies he heard from God . David praises God for having chosen him as king and has graciously chosen to make a Covenant with him, that ultimately will mean that the Messiah, the Son of David will rule forever. Reign righteously. Fear God. Thorns, which cannot be touched with the bare hands, meaning a government that cannot be approached, that shows no mercy. It ought not to be like that.

Q1. (2 Samuel 22 = Psalm 18) What do you find the most inspiring in the language of this psalm? What encourages you the most? Write down all the various titles and metaphors used of God in this psalm. The language is very picturesque. Vivid scenes are portrayed. The imagery is amazing. It is encouraging to see that someone with such a wonderful gift uses it to praise our God, and we get to share in it all. Those of us without that talent can join in with the imagery he has portrayed and visualize our God also and just see Him in this positively powerful way. We get to experience God differently. my rock my fortress my deliverer my place of refuge my Saviour my shield my horn of salvation (my protection) my stronghold my refuge the hearer of my voice the hearer of my cries the one Who acts on my behalf, He speedily comes to my aid He takes hold of me He rescues me from many waters in fact He draws me out of the waters my support He rewards me He repays me He is loyal He is blameless He is pure He is shrewd with those who are crooked my lamp He is perfect my shield He keeps me blameless He gives me strength to be able to do impossible feats (v 34 - 46) the Rock of my Salvation worthy of praise the horn is the force used to push, scatter and destroy enemies and save from harm

Q4. (2 Samuel 16-20) What does this passage teach us about David's character and faith? What does it reveal about Joab's character? What kind of faith do you see in Joab? What does this passage teach us about the importance of friends? Is Joab really David's friend? David seems to truly love his son in spite of Absalom's murderous tendency, rebellion and traitorous character. He seems to believe that he will come right , and will eventually prove faithful and stand with him and not work against him. I can only think that that is why David hopes to spare his life. Alternately it is real blindness. and he is putting the rest of his family's lives at risk. We see so often that David is forgiving and trusting people who really have not proved to be good to him or faithful to him: Saul David was faithful and true to him through the good and the bad times. He did not kill him, even though he could have on more than one occasion Abner who had seen to it that Ishbosheth was made king and then when things turned out differently than he anticipated, went over to David's side . He certainly portrayed a strange sense of loyalty Amnon the son who had raped Tamar. David seems to be angry about that but takes it no further. Absalom plotted the murder of Amnon. Lied to David. Plotted and led a rebellion. Usurped David's position as king. Yet still David did not want him eradicated. Shimei cursed David. He went as far as throwing stones at David and his followers as they passed by. David did not even stop him doing it. Upon his return as king , yet again, David forgave him and let him be. Amasa the one who had led Absalom's troupes. David even makes him chief of his commanders. Joab proves to think further than his nose. (level-headed )He has taken things into his own hands at times and has dealt differently than David had commanded. He certainly did not trust Abner and had no qualms of avenging his brother's death, by killing him. Now many years later he does the same with Amasa. He does not trust him and kills him. It just so happened that David had appointed both Abner and Amasa in the position that Joab had served him in, so faithfully in all his campaigns. When pursuing Absalom and hearing of his plight, he thinks nothing of going against David's commands and killing him. He knew that Absalom was bad news and would just be a danger to David again and again. They would not be safe while he was alive. I personally think Joab has proved to be extremely loyal to David as his king and in trying to keep David's name clean. He could have exposed David's sin long before Nathan was called to do so. In a way he would have saved him the torment of knowing that he had been partial to plotting the death of a loyal soldier , Uriah. We do not really get told much about the nitty-gritty of Joab as a man and about his thinking and workings etc for us to really know him, in the same way as we learn about David. I just do feel he was very loyal to David and tried to keep the kingdom safe. He was quick in his actions. It took Amasa much longer to gather troops together than it would have taken Joab. He did seem to be much 'harder' than David was and certainly not one that easily trusted a previous foe. One can see that he had faith in his own assumptions and acted on them, some times against the kings orders. Not only did he support David in war, but he also supported David when he longed for his exiled son to come home. Joab was the one that organized his return and reunion. I do feel that David did have a friend in Joab, albeit a 'hard' friend. We learn in this passage that friends are very essential in life. Without those loyal friends it would have been very hard for David and his followers to have fled to safety from Absalom's mad campaign. They provided shelter, nourishment and also support. The 'spy' system would never have worked without loyal friends.

Q3. (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle? Why does Joab kill him against David's orders? How does David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom? What does this say about his followers' loyalty? What does it say about David's faith? About his weaknesses? David still hoped that Absalom would change for the better. Absalom was after all was said and done, still his son. I believe that any battle is hard for the toughest of soldiers. It cannot be easy to take the life of someone else. Say what you like. That is a horrible decision to take. David commanded mercy for Absalom because he still loved him, against all odds. Joab, I personally believe, was loyal to David, and did what he did, to the best interest of the kingdom as well as for David and his family. Absalom was not to be trusted and was lethal to be left alive. No one was really safe with him around. He could turn on anyone. I personally believe he kind of lost his sanity, judging by his deeds. David's loud mourning, even though it was a natural way of mourning for his son, was a threat to his kingdom because it could wrongly be interpreted that David would have rejoiced in seeing his loyal subjects dead rather than having his enemy (unfortunately in this instance, his son) overcome. This was not really the case, it was just reality that he did have a father's heart and genuinely mourned his son's death and also that it had gotten as far as the revolt and usurping the throne etc. I do believe they understood. Many of them too were fathers. I am sure many also had rebellious offspring and knew a father's torn loyalty. Deep in his heart I am sure that David knew that this battle would end in Absalom's death. Just as the time when the Philistines went into battle with Saul, when David was going to fight for the Philistines, he was turned away, so that he did not need to anymore, so also this time, he was again requested not to go into battle. Not that they did not trust him, but they knew that he was a sure target. He knew the battle needed to take place, for, the nations sake. It was not an easy decision to take. By faith he knew that God was in control and so he let his forces go. That was the king part of David. His plea not to harm Absalom, that was the father part of David.

Q2. (2 Samuel 16:5-14) Why doesn't David silence Shimei son of Gera from cursing him? Is this a political decision or a spiritual decision? What does it tell us about David's faith? David has enough on his plate at the present moment. He seems in general not one given to heated quick anger as we saw with his action with Abigail's late husband, which he fortunately did not carry out. We have actually seen him to be cool and level headed most times, not making rash decisions which he would later regret. His actions with Bathsheba and Uriah really seemed to be totally out of character. It just shows how much we have to be on our guard. WATCH AND PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! David, at the present time, realizes that much of what is going on, has to do with the fact that he had shown disrespect to his Lord, Whom he loved and wanted to serve with all his heart. He trusted Him. So when any cursed him or turned against him, (as did Shimei) he did not take it personally but as God using those persons to strip him of whatever was to be stripped so that he could again be a vessel in God's hand. So, yes, I do feel that it is a spiritual decision. He bowed under what God had told Nathan, that there would be strife forthcoming. (my wording). David's faith had not waned. If anything it proved to be stronger than ever. David entrusted his life into God's Hand. He knew where he was safe. God had promised that He would not leave him but be WITH him and David believed this. That was the most important. If that meant not coming back to the beloved city, so be it. Most important was that God was with him.

Q1. (2 Samuel 15:14-30) Why does David flee Jerusalem rather than stay and fight? What are David's emotions during this retreat? Why doesn't he take the ark with him into exile? Does this exhibit faith, fatalism, or submission? What does this tell us about his faith? David didn't have time to make preparations to hold Jerusalem. There were no extra food supplies, which would have been necessary for a siege. David's professional mercenary troops -- Kerethites, Pelethites, and Gittites -- were with him in Jerusalem, but their numbers were very small compared to the national militia Absalom had access to, tens of thousands of Israelites from all over the kingdom. Not only were the food and man-power a problem, but also, Absalom's forces entered the city from the south about the time the last of David's supporters were leaving to the east. There was no time to waste. David knew the value of a strategic retreat. If he would have stayed to fight there would have been much blood shed. He was trying to avoid this at all cost. He basically had no choice. David is extremely hurt by his son's actions. If it was someone else it would be different, but the son whom he had received back home after he had plotted the murder of his first-born. It seemed extra wrong somehow. But David also accepts it as his punishment, so he is submissive to Yahweh. In this whole incident of the move one sees that David remains humble, repentant and submissive. His thinking involves the people that are fleeing with him, whose safety is uppermost in his mind. BUT he also thinks of his people on the other side who are blinded. He does not wish a civil-war. All this being the fruit of his sin. He had been forgiven, but the consequences were now in full bloom. David knows that the Lord is with him, whether or not he has the ark of the covenant in his procession. It belongs, he believes, in the capital city. Yahweh is Israel's God. The ark is not David's personal shrine to take with him wherever he goes. Through his tears and his mourning and his repentance, this is the faith-filled, obedient David we see. His faith is strong. He is thinking ahead in spite of the circumstances. He is fulfilling the leadership role, as the David of long ago when he needed to take care of his troops and followers when they were fleeing from Saul. He does trust that the Lord will do what is just and he submits to that.

Q4. (2 Samuel 13-15:13) It's difficult to find positive spiritual lessons in these sad and grim chapters. What negative spiritual lessons do you find? I am afraid but I fail to see that in the bit of information that we have of David's life and times, how everyone comes to the conclusion that David was not a good disciplinarian. I am not saying it wasn't the case. Personally I feel that much of the pain and agony experienced in the downfall of his family is directly due to his sin with Bathsheba and then continuing further and having the loyal Uriah killed. The sin of Amnon was a conspiracy that was thought out by Amnon and his cousin and friend Jonadab. Once he committed the rape, he felt sickened by what he had done and instead of repenting from his sin , he worsened it by throwing Tamar out or chasing her away. This sin was similar to David's in that he took a woman , who was actually not his to take. This sin caused bitterness among brothers and heart sore for a sister who was now tainted. The bitterness and anger smoldered in Absalom and caused him to plot the murder of Amnon. David tried to cover up his own sin by having Uriah killed in military action. Amnon was invited to a feast and then murdered. Not a hero's death. Absalom , fled. He stayed away from his father. While he was away, he very likely learnt more evil than good from that side of his family. Possibly that was the instigation of the revolt against his father, David. Eventually he was brought back but banished from David's presence. Hard front for a father to keep up, especially since we read that David loved his son. Absalom then throws a temper tantrum to try and right things, by setting Joab's field alight. Damaging others livelihood. Things really are going from bad to worse. As if that was not bad enough: Now Absalom tries to win the favour of the people that David had served and protected faithfully in his reign as king over all Israel. Again we see that, with lies, he eventually seals the deal and even asks David's blessing to go to Hebron with some people who are none the wiser, of his conspiracy. Here he then proclaims himself as king. So what we learn is that a ripple affect was caused by David's sin. By now, it no longer just affects the immediate families, but the whole nation. Sin cannot be hidden. Somehow it comes out and hatches sins worse than the first and hordes of them.

Q3. (2 Samuel 15:1-6) What are the elements of Absalom's public relations campaign to win over the people to his side? How effective is it? What should David have done differently? Which of David's weaknesses does Absalom exploit? Absalom begins by making the public very aware of him. He and his entourage is often seen. Chariots and horses and 50 men who run beside them. He establishes himself. Almost pointing out to the public that he was heir to the throne and was getting ready to present himself to them. Someone who looked regal, wealthy and fit for the position. Not only does he play with their SIGHT, but goes further, by being at the gate very early and greeting the people that come from surrounding districts with problems to be sorted out by the king. He listens to them and shows sympathy. In other words, he plays with their emotions. He goes further by suggesting that he would help better if he had more power. He softens them towards his sympathies by lending an ear. HEARING. He goes a step further by kissing their hands. TOUCH A clever, crooked, sly and 'typical' politician. He certainly won their hearts. I do tend to agree with "Delivered". Posted 19 Nov 2012. I think the way David is reflected as a no good disciplinarian, is a bit off the mark. David won the hearts of his people years ago by his fighting campaigns. They were basically at peace now. The next king would have to win the people in a different way. I am sure David did not see Absalom's working as he did as trying a political overthrow. I think that the events that happened through Absalom are because of David's sin. He was forgiven, but the seed he had sown was now starting to bear fruit. I personally believe that David's remorse was real , and as he was forgiven, he too tried to forgive. Absalom played on that and the fact that David loved him.

Q2. (2 Samuel 13:39-14:24) Why do you think Joab conspires to get David to bring Absalom home? Why do you think David does not immediately show Absalom his favor? We do have a lot of speculative questions. David is not young anymore and the next in line to the throne is dead. Absolom is the next one who should be supporting and learning from David. (Although it does not seem like the heir to the throne is chosen by birth) David seems to have loved Absalom very much and was pining for him. Joab knew this and tried to bring back some kind of peace to a troubled king. When Absalom was not in Jerusalem, punishment for Abner's death could be ignored. When he returned to Jerusalem, some kind of punishment for his deed needed to be meted out. This was a hard option for David. I guess not seeing him and not making him absolutely welcome was David's way of punishing him. This irked Absalom no end. Could it also be that David did not really trust Absalom's loyalties anymore. (Recall Joab did not trust Abner.)

Q1. (2 Samuel 13:21-22) Why do you think David doesn't discipline his son Amnon for his sexual assault on his half-sister? What are the consequences of David's inaction? As has been said by others, we don't really know, we can only surmise , and as with any game being watched from the side lines, the spectators seem to be the better players and the know-alls, much of the time. Amnon was the first-born son and so very likely at this stage favoured to be the heir to the throne. We do not know much about David's interaction with his children, accept that there were a fair amount of them and by many women. How much interaction between father and children there was was in that time, we cannot say either. What we do know is that this happened after David's affair with Bathsheba and that David was possibly in his fifty's by this stage and the older sons in their early twenty's. Thus marriable age. Tamar must have been a beautiful teenager. The background painted above shows David to have been forgiven of his sin, but it was not something that could have been hidden from his boys. As David was consumed with desire for Bathsheba, so Amnon was consumed with desire for Tamar. David had acted and so had Amnon acted. The difference was that Amnon shamed his half-sister by not then marrying her. He abused her and then sent her packing. As the sins committed were both sexual, I guess David did not have much he could fall back on to discipline his son. David had been guilty of much more. His sin continued by murdering a loyal soldier. The consequence was a tearing apart of David's family. Absalom eventually was guilty of killing Amnon for what he had done.

Q4. (2 Samuel 12:10-14) What punishment does David deserve? What does he get instead? How does this punishment relate to the provisions of the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:14-15? How do David's sins hurt God's glory? How do our sins reflect on Jesus Christ? The punishment was a life for a life. So David actually deserved death. David is not the one who dies but the baby born to him and Bathsheba , dies. David's sin is forgiven him, but he will get to reap the consequences of his sin. Shame will come on his reputation. He had committed the sin in secret, his concubines/wives will be sexually molested in broad daylight, for all to see, and on top of it all by his son. Many of his offspring will commit sexual sins and commit murder. Punishment /Discipline is meted out to David. In the Covenant, God promised that He would punish the perpetrator as a father would punish his son. He also added that he would have mercy on him. The nation's round about, saw that up till now David had proved to be different. He had shown clearly in his conduct that he was serving God and not following the footsteps of other earthly rulers, and now this conduct had marred that reputation. In the same way, if we sin, be it by bad mouthing someone, stealing, sexual sins, or whatever it is, we are displaying to the world that this is the way someone who follows Jesus Christ acts. It is not us they see but they see that it is way of life of a Christian. This is not a true reflection of Christ. His image is tarnished by our lifestyle.

Q3. (2 Samuel 12:1-10) Why might it be dangerous for Nathan the prophet to confront the king? What device does Nathan employ to get the king to listen to him? How does David's condemnation of the rich man's greed help him acknowledge and condemn his own actions? The king could do anything to Nathan. (Bind him and imprison him and worse even kill him.) Nathan bravely tells the king a story or parable wherein it is easy to see what had transpired, as though looking in a mirror. David often had to be judge in things that happened and would have to give his verdict . That was the type of story that Nathan used. Not something far-fetched, but something real. David judged the rich man and when Nathan pointed out that it is actually, he himself. David broke down and acknowledged his sin. He recognized that not only had he sinned against man but also against God. He repented , but paid dearly for the sin he had committed.

Q2. (2 Samuel 11) How can a "man after God's own heart" do something so ugly, so despicable as this -- first adultery and then murder by proxy to cover it up? What does this teach us about our human condition? What is our problem as humans? How can David ever recover his integrity after this? We are unpredictable and untrustworthy. Without God we are lost. We are warned to WATCH and PRAY . The devil knows our weaknesses and when we are most vulnerable he will work on them and before we know it, we will fall, if we do not call out to God to help us STAND. We are to RESIST the devil and then he will flee from us. But if we give in to him by just savouring a thought in the wrong direction, he pounces on us and leads us to where we don't want to be. Before we know it we are in sin. The way out is to confess and repent from whatever we did and allow Christ to restore as only He can. When David was approached by Nathan and his eyes were opened to what he had done, he did just that. He acknowledged his sin before God and repented of what he had done.

Q1. (2 Samuel 9:1-13) Why does David honor Mephibosheth? What does this teach us about David's character? David was true to his word. He had promised Jonathan that he would not cut off his offspring. Mephibosheth was not killed as was the usual practice when a new king ascended the throne. David trusted God not man. We even see this when Ishbosheth ascended the throne. David did not kill him or take his throne from him. David proved to be true to his word, not like Saul, whose word meant nothing. David was honorable, but human, as was later seen.

Q3. (2 Samuel 7:14-16) There is a conditional aspect in the Davidic Covenant -- that God will discipline David's descendants when they sin. How did God discipline David and his descendants? With David, there was trouble in his household. When he sinned with Bathsheba, their baby died. David's daughter, Tamar, was raped by her half-brother Amnon. Absalom, David's favourite son, Tamar's brother, swore vengeance and was responsible for killing Amnon. Absalom also tried to usurp the throne from David. Absalom was killed inspite of David's request to the contrary, in the civil war that ensued. After Solomon's son the nation was split into the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. Then there followed some good kings and some bad kings and eventually the kingdom of Judah was also led away into captivity. But the time for the everlasting kingdom is fast approaching.

Q2. (2 Samuel 7:8-13) What are the main promises of the Davidic Covenant? Are these promises conditional or unconditional? Why does conditionality make a difference? Which of these promises is most important to you as a Christian? The promises are : A great name (v 8&9) A secure homeland for his people (v10&11a) Peace (v11b) A dynasty (v11c) A son who will build the temple (v 12-13) An everlasting Kingdom (13) God said that He would reprimand them like a father would reprimand a son. So the condition would be to act towards God as a son would react to a loved Father. Discipline would be part of the plan. Conditionality brings responsibility. There is an everlasting Kingdom in which we will have a part.

Q1. (2 Samuel 7:1-7) Why is Nathan so quick to give David approval to build the temple? What should have Nathan done instead? What is the danger of leaders and followers too quickly approving major spiritual directions without really waiting upon the Lord? David's heart is partly right about building the temple though. Which part does David have right? David had a deep desire to please God. This time he wanted to do so by building Him a House/Temple so the Ark of the Covenant could be placed in there. Nathan was the one who dealt with the spiritual guidance at this stage. David mentioned to Nathan what was on his heart. Nathan knew that David's topmost desire was to please God and so he too saw nothing wrong with this idea, and seemed to give David the go ahead from the spiritual side. Nathan should have brought the whole idea before the Lord as well before giving his approval of the project. The danger is that a good idea is maybe the right idea for a wrong time and for the wrong person to fulfill the idea. David is right about the temple to be built but not about the time.

Q4. (2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23) What has happened to Michal that she is so bitter at David? How does her bitterness cause her to misjudge what she sees? Are you bitter towards God about something in your past? What effect might it have on your spiritual life? How can you find healing from the bitterness? What would have happened if David had conformed his worship expression to his wife's preferences? There are a lot of what's and what if's . Michal, Saul's daughter, was David's first wife. When David fled the court because Saul wanted to kill him, she was left behind. David did not force her to be with him in the wilderness and wherever else he was in the years that her father had tried to kill him. She was in the safety of her home and later in the safety of the home of Paltiel, the man Saul chose to be her husband instead of letting her wait for David's return or death. When Abner wanted to see David after he was angry with Ishbosheth, whom he had put on the throne, David agreed on condition that he bring Michal to him. This was about 7 yrs after David had already been king over his tribe, after Saul's death. He couldn't have done this earlier as it could have led to the belief that he was claiming the throne from Isbosheth, Saul's son. David had promised kindness to Saul's house, and he kept his promise. He was not in favour of civil war, just to become king. God's timing, to him, was the right timing. Michal was no longer the only wife. She was now one of 7 wives. The others had all presented David with offspring and she was barren. All this could have led to feelings of bitterness and jealousy. She too was probably used to a life of luxury and being center of attraction. Another aspect could have been, that maybe , just maybe, she would have enjoyed being part of all the festivities and led the dancing and singing as Miriam did, so many years before. Our answers are just speculations by trying to be in her shoes. If she was part of all the celebrations, she would not have despised David, but would have rejoiced with him. Her bitterness makes her see David as having debased himself and becoming one of the "common" people. She does not share the joy that he has for having brought the Ark into his capital city and in worshiping God. David would have lost out on much joy and peace. Also favour with God.

Q3. (2 Samuel 6:14, 22) How would you describe David's approach to worship? What does his dancing here teach us? What do we learn about praise from the psalms he wrote? Does what others might think affect your ability to worship? No. I know that inside me I still lift my hands in worship to Him and sing with reckless abandon and twirl and move as a young person can and would probably stun the frozen, but I am not able to anymore. Also I think one needs to respect what others take to be 'orderly' when being with them. If one is uncomfortable with that then I guess one is free to worship elsewhere. God sees the hearts of the so called frozen as well. How has God been working in your life to teach you to worship him in spirit and in truth? David is seen here as a man not as a king in kingly raiment/garments. He came before God as David , the every-day man. He came as himself, the man, not as the public saw him, the king. He put aside his earthly calling and came to his Heavenly Lord and King, rejoicing, worshiping Him, with a heart filled with love and adoration. He worshiped God with all that was in him. With joy and thankfulness. David was not concerned about what people thought about him, he did not worship them, it was his God that he was worshiping with all that was in him, (one can say , thinking of nothing else but God alone. The joy that he was bringing, (what had previously been seen as God's abode in the wilderness,) the Ark of the Covenant to the capital city of the nation). David gave himself completely in his dance to the Lord. He worshiped God in this way. God saw his heart. In this I can learn too, to put aside what man sees me as, be it a pauper / teacher / preacher /king/ sailor/ housewife or whatever else, and be me , the person God created. Worship Him in spirit and in truth. Not put on a show or something for man to see. It is God we worship. Let our focus be on Him and Him alone. God was first and foremost. It was Him he praised. When he was down or whatever, he saw something that enabled him to praise God for, and soon if down, his spirits would lift in praising Him. Our very life should be one of praise to Him. Our walk and talk should all point to Him.

Q2. (2 Samuel 6:11-13) How should the ark have been transported? How are Uzzah and David responsible if they don't know the provisions of the Mosaic Law? What does David's mistake in this incident teach us about seeking to do God's will? Exodus 25:14 & 15 You are to put the poles into the rings on the sides of the Ark, in order to carry the Ark. The poles are to remain in the rings of the Ark, and not to be taken from it. Numbers 4:5 & 6 Aaron and his sons (the priests) were to take down the shielding curtain and cover the Ark of the Covenant with it. They were to cover this with porpoise hide, and spread over it a cloth of solid blue, Then put the poles in place. Numbers 4:15 The sons of Kohath were to do the carrying of the Sanctuary and the holy implements. But they were not to touch the holy items or they would die. The above were the instructions given to Moses when they moved from one place to the next. It's very easy as an outsider to say that they ought to have known as they were taught the Torah from small. One does not know what they had been taught and what they had not been taught. Even in the time of the Judges it is already mentioned that the generation, after Joshua and the elders who were alive after he died had also died , did not serve the Lord. David loved and served the Lord and definitely wanted to please Him in every aspect of life. As the Ark was the furniture that presided in the place called the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, and was seen as God's earthly throne, David should have first consulted the Torah as to how it was to be carried. We are to seek God's will in all things. Nothing is too minor of importance.

Q1. (2 Samuel 6:1-10) Why does God strike Uzzah? Why is David so angry? Uzzah had stretched out his hand to steady the Ark. The Ark was not being transported in the way that God had instructed it to be carried. God is certainly not One Who supports irreverence. Uzzah's act is taken to be irreverent to the Lord. Two reasons are given in the notes, viz., misunderstanding and humiliation. David had wanted to bring the Ark, symbolizing God's presence, to the capital city , to emphasize to all and sundry that the Israelites were a nation who served Yahweh. So why would God bring judgment? A misunderstanding. David feels publicly humiliated. The national celebration he has planned in front of 30,000 onlookers has ended with disaster, as if God doesn't approve of moving the ark. In people's eyes, David's relationship with God is being questioned. Not sure what the real factor is. Could it possibly be that he is angry with himself for not heeding the instructions God gave as to how the Ark and everything pertaining to it , should be transported/moved.

Q3. (2 Samuel 5:17-25) Why does David inquire of the Lord before he attacks the Philistines the first time? What would have happened if he thought he knew how to attack the Philistines, and didn't inquire of the Lord the second time? Why do we often want to figure out the process so we can act independently, rather than wait on God as a way of life? What does that say about God? What does that say about us? The Lord had watched over David and his motley group of men that had joined him, in the years that he lived as a fugitive. He eventually had gone to the Philistine king for refuge and had then settled at Ziglag. Then when Saul died , David moved all his followers back into Judah and made Hebron his capital. Later when he was made king over all Israel, David conquered Jerusalem, which did not belong to a specific tribe of Israel, and made that his capital. Previously, he had been indebted to the Philistines, because they helped him when he was in need. They now realized with his power having increased somewhat, he was no longer going to just bow to their whims, but he was now posing a threat to them politically. They went down with combined forces of all their different armies to check it all out. Ready to put "David in his place". David, who probably felt indebted to one of the kings, who had helped him, probably was a bit uncertain of the repercussions that a fight with the whole lot of the Philistines would have on his kingdom. As was his custom, David inquired of the Lord first, what he should do. Maybe their forces were more. We are not told. What is important is that David inquired of the Lord, what he should do. When he broke through the forces he gave God the glory for the victory. The second time we read that David was given specific instructions as to how to go about fighting the battle. The first time all we know is that he was given the assurance that the Philistines would be delivered into his hands. David was obedient to the Lord. We cannot say what would have been the result if David had not been following the Lord. His whole reign would possibly have been a total disaster as we see of so many of the kings who try to do it their way. God has not made us puppets but has given us a free will and the ability to choose. We can choose God's way or man's way, the last being a sure way of disaster. God's way is always best.

Q2. (2 Samuel 5:1-5) Approximately how long has it been since David had been anointed king by Samuel? (See Appendix 4. Chronology of the Life of David.) Why did the fulfillment of God's word take so long? How would you evaluate David's patience concerning this prophecy that he would be king? How would you measure your own patience concerning what you believe God has promised you? I would reckon it to be about 15 years that David was anointed by Samuel, before he became king over Judah. God's timing is not our timing. There are always things that need to be learnt or gotten out of the way, or certain aspects that need to be established before God's Word comes into fulfillment and then when the time is right it comes to pass. I think it is amazing how David did not take matters into his own hands and wipe out Saul. How he was fully prepared to support Saul and fight in his army all the years, until it was not safe for him to be in Saul's presence anymore. Even then when push came to shove, he protected his people and fought off those who would have gone further into the kingdom of Israel. Most amazing is the love of Jonathan and David. Both being aware of who they were in the kingdom's/man's point of view and also in God's view. Neither was jealous of the other's position. It truly was love born of God. David was faithful and not traitorous. David knew God's timing was best.

Q1. (2 Samuel 3:22-39) Why does Joab slay Abner? Is he justified in doing so? How does this affect his king's unification plans? Why do you think Joab is so blind? How can our spiritual blindness get in the way of God working out His plan in our lives? I personally think these questions are not so easily answered with a "this is the right answer", kind of thing. Abner was the general of Saul's army. He was also of Saul's family. Abner had initiated and stood behind the fact that Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was made king, even though he was aware that David was God's chosen candidate. Only when Ish-bosheth approached him, rightfully, for having slept with his father's concubine, did he decide to go over to David and help initiate the process of making him king. ..... Can his motives really be trustworthy. ...... By this time the brother of Joab had already been killed. Joab was the general of David's army. He was David's sister's son. His brother had been killed by Joab, who had not wanted to do this but was almost forced into it as a means self defense. Joab was hurting and bent on revenge. When he saw his opportunity, he took it. It was devious, very much so. Hebron was a city of refuge. He calls Joab back to the city where he could have been safe. ...... but calls him outside ...... he kills him the same way that his brother was killed. This time it was murder. Joab had foolishly ventured out of the city's protection to meet the one who was out and out to avenge his brother's death. From the scenes "painted" above, it seems as if Joab had more than one reason to kill Abner. Three stand out. First and foremost it was to avenge his brother's death. Then also to prevent a possibility for Abner usurping the position of general of David's army. (jealousy) Then also he did not trust Abner's motivations to be honest towards David. If he can turn traitor to the one who he put on the throne in the first place, he sure could turn to be traitor to the one he had previously tried to kill, by pursuing him with Saul. I do not think that the way he went about performing his deed , was right, but I do understand the way he thought was ultimately to protect David, and the country from further civil war. Fortunately David was wise enough to show his grief openly about this deed and could prove that it was not his intent to perform it. Throughout the years of his hiding in the wilderness and moving around seeking shelter away from Saul, David had shown that his intent was not evil towards Saul's "house". It is easy to point a finger and say that Joab was blind. Abner's past deeds did not reflect him to be very trustworthy when he was not favoured. Spiritual blindness can come in the way of God's plans, in that one tends to steer away from where He is leading, or balk from his directions. His ways are so much better to follow.

Q3. (2 Samuel 1:19-27; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14) David is gracious in his memorial psalm. How does he remember Saul's life? How does the Chronicler remember Saul's life? How do you think God evaluates Saul's life? What do we learn from this? He remembers it as it was before he went nuts and turned away from God. Before he did his own thing. He remembered him as a hero , where he was brave and served the Lord and his country as he ought. Where he brought prosperity and safety to his realm. The Chronicler remembers Saul as he was at the end of his life. Disregarding God and His will and purpose. Who am I to judge how God evaluates his life. I just know that I dare not let go of God. We learn not to carry bitterness around in our hearts. David sure gives us an example of that. Wait upon the Lord and in due time He shall bring to pass what He has promised.