2 Samuel Part 4

Notes from Marilyn Hickey Ministries:

David knew God was on his side: he was never the aggressor with Saul, he never lost a battle, he filled up boundaries promised to Abraham, the spoils of war were consecrated to Jehovah, his alliance with Hiram made him safe on his Mediterranean border, he had men who like himself, were giant killers. The nations of Moab, Amnon (a son, his brothers are Absalom and Adonijah) and Edom conspired to destroy David but weren't successful. Location = Israel; time = 40 years; ruling a nation through repentance and faith

Notes from Ozark Christian College: M. DeFazio

Reflecting on the Story - - -

A Contrast in Kings/Leaders/Men

o Goal: self or serve?

o God: to use or to submit?

o Methods: division or peace?

Don’t miss the gospel echo!

If God is the hero, what is the message?

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:

1. What is the danger of presenting human characters in a story like this as examples to

follow (or not)? Nevertheless, what is the value?

2. Which goal more often drives your action: building others up or pleasing yourself? How do

you know?

3. How do we reconcile the call to spread peace with the knowledge that Jesus came not to

bring peace but a sword?

4. This is one long story with many interesting scenes. Which scene most resonates with you,

and why? What do you learn from that section?

5. Which of God’s promises do you need to cling to right now?

The Return of the King (2 Samuel 19:9-20:26)

SUMMARY: This section follows David’s movements as he returns to Jerusalem once the threat of Absalom has been moved. After tracing the movements in this final section of chronological narrative, we consider how to read the various layers of significance in these events. We note in particular how David’s “return from exile” speaks to Israel’s history as well as the mission of Christ.

NOTES:

This section completes the chronological narrative of 2 Samuel.

David’s Return (19:9-43)

Judah brings David home

David retraces his steps (and interactions)

Ziba, a False Servant

16 Now when David had passed a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’” 4 So the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I prostrate myself; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord, the king!”

David Is Cursed, his flight

5 When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came. 6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left. 7 Thus Shimei said when he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow! 8 The Lord has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!” 9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and [a]cut off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son who came out from [b]me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him. 12 Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and [c]return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE ARE NEEDED.

13 So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him. 14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there.