Tuesday, May 25 – 2 Samuel 24
1. What was wrong with David wanting to know the number of fighting men were in his land? What did it reveal about where his trust was?
2. Repentance takes place in the heart of the believer and can only be seen by God. But fruits of repentance are observed by others. How did David show that he was repentant?
3. Why did David refuse Araunah’s offer to provide the sacrifice free of charge?
Monday, May 24 – 2 Samuel 23
1. What stands out to you in King David’s last words? Where does his hope lie as he faces his death? If your last words would be recorded for others to read, what would you like your last words to say?
2. God provided mighty men to care for David’s life. What tremendous accomplishments did these might men do? How does God care for your life? What “mighty men” has he dispatched to watch over you?
3. Why is the doctrine that the Bible is the divinely inspired, inerrant Word of God so important for our Christian faith? Especially in our last moments?
Saturday, May 22 – 2 Samuel 21-22
1. The 3 year famine happens because of Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites. Israel had sworn with an oath to God that Gibeon would be spared, but Saul ignored that oath. Lesson 1: How important is it to the Lord when we swear or make a promise in his name?
2. Lesson 2: The Lord will right the wrongs that have been done in the past, but his timing is different than ours. Saul had murdered most of the Gibeonite men about 30 years before this.
3. Throughout the chapter, we see David trying to do the right thing, for the Gibeonites and then for Saul’s family, despite the difficult choices he has to make. What does this show us about his heart?
4. In David’s song, he gives all glory to God without a word of complaint. If you had just been through years of struggle and rebellion and foreign invaders, would your song be so positive? As you read the song, sing praises in your heart for all that God has done for you! (BTW, this song is also in the collected book of songs, the Psalms: Psalm 18).
Friday, May 21 – 2 Samuel 19-20
1. David was so full of grief over his son Absalom. Part of that may be his feelings of guilt over his own adultery. The Lord had said he was forgiven, but there would be consequences in his family. But there may be another more important reason. Where is David’s son likely spending eternity?
2. Joab gave David some wise advice at the beginning of the chapter, yet David demoted Joab and gave the command over to Absalom’s general, Amasa (19:13). Why? (see yesterday #3). Note: Joab and Amasa were first cousins, so David is not favoring Amasa because he is a close relative.
3. Once again, how does Joab handle the problem of a rival? In spite of this, what shows that he is still faithful to David and trying to do the right thing for David? In all of these problems, you could say that Joab is worldly wise, but David is more spiritually minded.
Thursday, May 20 – 2 Samuel 17-18
1. Who gave better advice, Ahithophel or Hushai? Why did Absalom listen to bad advice? See 17:14.
2. Why do you think Ahithophel committed suicide? What was missing in his life, that he would do such a thing?
3. General Joab refused to listen to his commander-in-chief about being gentle with Absalom. Instead what did he do? Why did he disobey orders? Joab may have been right about what to do with Absalom, but was he right in disobeying David? What other course of action might he have followed?
Wednesday, May 19 – 2 Samuel 15-16
1. Why did David evacuate the city of Jerusalem instead of staying and defending it against the invasion of Absalom and his forces?
2. When David was told what Absalom was doing with the king’s concubines on the rooftop of the palace, of what, no doubt, was David reminded? (See 2 Samuel 12:11,12.)
3. How does David’s way of dealing with Shimei help us when someone attacks us personally?
Tuesday, May 18 – 2 Samuel 13-14
1. How would you describe the feeling that Amnon had for Tamar?
2. What words of Absalom indicate that he had not repented of his sin of murdering his brother Amnon?
3. A father had a rebellious son who resented any discipline his father imposed upon him. Then he committed a series of crimes and was sentenced to prison. What should the attitude of the father be? What can he still do for his son?
Monday, May 17 – 2 Samuel 11-12
1. Analyze the event. The details are not complicated. Which commandments did David break?
2. When are we especially vulnerable to the attacks of Satan?
3. Think about how the Lord has dealt with you after you repented of your sin. Has he ever chastened you in some special way, as he did David? Has he always sent sufferings into your life after you sinned?
Saturday, May 15 – 2 Samuel 8-10
1. David’s victories extend all the way to the Euphrates River. Who receives all the gold and other wealth that is captured? See 8:11. When the Lord gives us success in earthly life, do we respond the same way?
2. In chapter 9, we see David seeking out and showing kindness to the only one left in Saul’s family. We live in a self-seeking world in which many people think only about their own comfort. What are some things we can do to follow David’s example?
3. In chapter 10, David tries to show kindness to another nation, only to be humiliated. Have you ever performed an act of kindness and been rebuffed for it? How does your Christian faith comfort you at such a time?
Friday, May 14 – 2 Samuel 7
1. The Lord uses puns! He is not so concerned about a house for himself. He doesn’t need it! He is more concerned about David’s “house” (7:11). What does God want from us more than buildings?
2. How would David’s throne and kingdom be established forever?
3. What insight does 7:21 give you about how God blesses us and answers our prayers?
