THE BOOK OF 2 SAMUEL CHAPTERS 13-24

THE BOOK OF 2 SAMUEL CHAPTERS 13-24 A Study using 18 questions per chapter. The purpose of this study is to find out what the Bible says THE WORD FOR THE WORLD STUDIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT by Bill DeLaughter web site <word4world.com> E-mail wjdzim@word4world.com

Bill DeLaughter P.O. Box 193 Crown Point, Indiana 46308 U.S.A. It is Bill's desire that it be made available to anyone and everyone to be used by them for their further understanding of What The Bible Says. It can be copied and duplicated by anyone for local Bible Studies. However it is not to be sold commercially for a profit. But permission is hereby granted for it to be printed and sold for a price slightly above the actual cost of printing, no more. This study may also be translated into any language where it can be useful under the conditions listed above. INSTRUCTIONS I can only suggest how this study was originally conducted and it was very successful. First of all, we tried to arrange a very informal atmosphere with the folks sitting in a loose circle. We would begin the session by having tea, or cokes and an informal time of fellowship. Then we would have a prayer time with everyone suggesting names of those for whom we should pray. It was also mentioned each session that we expected that each individual have at least one person for whom they would agree to pray for in regards to that person s salvation. To actually begin the study the entire chapter would be read aloud with each one willing to read, taking the number of verses and dividing it by the number of people present and each one reading a portion. Then the first one on the left (a habit of mine) would begin by reading the first question and giving their answer. The verse where their answer was found must also be given. Then the leader asks if everybody agrees. Let discussion carry on as necessary but not too long. Then go to the next question and the next person until all of the fifteen questions are answered. For the discussion questions (numbers 16-17-18) each person present should give their answer once again going from the first one on the left and so on. Answer one question at a time, with each person present giving their reasons for their answer to each question. Discussion can be long or short depending on how the group feels. Do not carry the class session on too long. Encourage each one to prepare his answers BEFORE the session begins if at all possible only because they will get more out of the discussion if they have thought about it. INTRODUCTION This book continues the narrative of the beginning of the kingdom of Israel. It begins with Saul s death. then goes on to tell about the forty year reign of David as king. of the best known narratives are the capture of the city of Jerusalem, the affair of David with Bathsheba, and the rebellion of Absalom.

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 13 1. Who was Amnon, who was Tamar, and who was Jonadab? 2. What advice did Jonadab give to Amnon? 3. What sin did Amnon commit?. Verse 4. What kind of garments did the virgin daughters of the king wear? 5. How did the king s sons travel in those days?. Verse 6. None of David s brothers were alive at this time. 7. It would have been fine with the king if Tamar had married Amnon. 8. Great love turned to a greater hatred in this case. 9. Absalom killed ALL of the king s sons. 10. When the king found out what was done Absalom fled the country. 11. Is it possible for a king to do anything he desires, but his sons cannot? 12. Can love make you miserable? 13. If Amnon had married Tamar, would that have violated the law of Moses? (see Leviticus 18:9) 14. When in distress was it a habit to tear your clothing? 15. Were the rest of the king s sons sad over the death of Amnon? 0

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 14 1. What did Joab do to bring Absalom back home? 2. What result did the woman s story have upon David? 3. With what words did this woman praise David? 4. What condition did King David put on the return of Absalom? 5. How did Absalom get Joab to come to him?. Verse 6. David did not believe the woman s tale of woe. 7. The woman told lies in order to get David s attention. 8. This reveals a lot about the character of David s general, Joab. 9. Absalom had a lot of hair. 10. David forgave Absalom for what he had done. 11. Is deception a good way to honor someone over you such as your king? 12. Is having children something important to the people of Israel? 13. David knew about everything that happened in his land? 14. Did the woman from Tekoa convince David to bring Absalom back? 15. Was Absalom a handsome man? 1

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 15 1. How did Absalom win the hearts of the people of Israel? 2. How did Absalom get the backing of all of Israel? 3. How did David respond when word came that the loyalty of the nation had changed to back Absalom?. Verse 4. What was done with the ark of the covenant? 5. How was David dressed as he fled from Jerusalem? 6. Absalom used lies to turn the people from David to him. 7. Absalom offered sacrifices to God. 8. David sent some men back to Jerusalem as spies that would report to him. 9. Zadok was a priest. 10. People used to worship on the Mount of Olives. 11. Did Absalom promise the people justice if only he were king? 12. Did everyone know what Absalom was going to do in Hebron? 13. David left some of his own household in Jerusalem to take care of the palace. 14. Did David have faithful foreigners who refused to leave him? 15. Was Hushai sent back to Jerusalem to frustrate the advice of Ahithopel? 2

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 16 1. Why did Mephibosheth stay in Jerusalem and what did David do about it? 2. What happened as David approached Bahurim? 3. What reputation did David have in this village? 4. What advice did Hushai give to Absalom at this time?. Verse 5. What advice did Ahithophel give to Absalom? 6. Ziba was a smart man and did good things for David and his men. 7. David would not allow anyone to bother the man who cursed him. 8. Hushai convinced Absalom that he would now follow him. 9. To sleep with the king s concubines was an insult to the king. 10. The prophet Nathan was right about what would happen to David because of Bathsheba. 11. Were donkeys used for riding instead of horses? 12. Were all of Mephibosheth s holdings taken away from him? 13. Did Abishai want to kill the man shouting at David? 14. Did Absalom ask Hushai for advice? 15. Was Ahithophel regarded as a true prophet? 3

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 17 1. The advice that Ahithopel gave to Absalom would involve King David s death and how many others?. Verse 2. After Hushai gave advice to Absalom what did he do? 3. How did the servant girl save the messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz? 4. When Ahithopel saw that his advice was not followed, what did he do? 5. What happened when David came to Mahanaim? 6. Ahithophel s advice would have been better for Absalom to follow. 7. The reason the Lord used the advice of Hushai was to frustrate that of the other prophet. 8. Hushai depended on a servant girl to pass the message on to David. 9. By morning not one of David s men were left on the other side of the Jordan. 10. Joab was replaced as commander of the army of Israel. 11. Were all of the elders of Israel on the side of King David? 12. Was King David hiding in a cave? 13. Absalom was advised to gather ALL of the tribes against David. 14. Did men usually spend the night at the fords before crossing the Jordan? 15. Was Ahithopel so distressed over his advice being refused that he killed himself? 4

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 18 1. How many armies did David send out and under whose command? 2. Why did David stay in the city and not go out with his armies to battle? 3. What happened to Absalom while he was riding on his donkey? 4. Who killed Absalom?. Verse 5. What news did the first messenger bring to David?. Verse 6. Everybody heard David s orders to kill Absalom when they saw him. 7. Absalom erected a pillar in the King s Valley for his sons. 8. A Cushite was told to go tell David the news, not an Israelite. 9. David thought the men were bringing good news. 10. David was shaking with fear at the news of Absalom s death. 11. Did David listen to his commanders advice? 12. Did the forest take its toll on the army of Israel? 13. Did the man who brought new of Absalom hanging in a tree trust Joab? 14. Did the army of Israel just go home after being defeated? 15. Did David have a room over the gateway? 5

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 19 1. What was the effect on the army when David mourned the death of Absalom? 2. Who told David that he loved those who hated him and hated those who loved him? 3. Who did David say he was going to make commander over his army?. Verse 4. Who came to greet David with a thousand Benjamites?. Verse 5. Describe Mephibosheth when he went to meet David. 6. The men in the army of David were ashamed. 7. Abner convinced David to go and sit at the gateway. 8. The Israelites were the first to accept David back as their king. 9. The tribe of Judah was the first to meet David at the Jordan. 10. There was jealousy about who did what to get David back. 11. Were the tribes of Israel willing to have David come back as their king? 12. Was Abishai put to death for what he had done? 13. Did David divide Saul s fields between Mephibosheth and Joab? 14. Did Barzillai cross over the Jordan with David? 15. Did ALL the troops of Israel cross over the Jordan with David? 6

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 20 1. What did David do with the ten concubines that he had left to take care of his palace? 2. How did Amasa die? 3. What did the woman promise Joab when she spoke to him from the wall of the city? 4. What part of the army of Israel was Joab over?. Verse 5. Who was in charge of forced labor?. Verse 6. ALL of the army deserted David to follow Sheba. 7. The concubines who took care of David s palace died as widows. 8. Joab could use a knife with his left hand. 9. David had to have Amasa s body removed from the road before anyone would follow him. 10. The wise woman on the wall was not given a name in this chapter. 11. Was Sheba a troublemaker? 12. In your opinion did David treat his concubines unkindly? 13. Was Amasa killed for taking too long to do what the king sent him to do? 14. After Sheba was killed did the army disperse? 15. Was Joab the only man in charge of every part David s army? 7

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 21 1. Why was there a famine in Israel for 3 years? 2. What did the Gibeonites say that David could do for them? 3. Why did David spare Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan? 4. What did Rizpah, daughter of Aiah do after the 7 men? 5. When David found out what Rizpah was doing, what did he do? 6. Saul had tried to annihilate the Gibeonites. 7. The men of Gibeon demanded money for what Saul did to them. 8. Rizpah was the mother of 2 of the men put to death. 9. The bones of both Saul and Jonathan were finally buried. 10. The descendants of Rapha were large men and very strong. 11. Were the Gibeonites a part of Israel? 12. Did the Gibeonites recognize Saul as God s chosen one? 13. When David got tired in battle he was saved from death by Abishai. 14. David was never to go into battle himself again. 15. Was a brother of David in the army? 8

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 22 1. Why did David sing the song recorded in this chapter? 2. What were the waves that David sang about.. Verse 3. Why did David say that God rescued him?. Verse 4. How many times does David refer to violent men?. Verse 5. How long did David say that God would show unfailing kindness to him and his descendants?. Verse 6. David called out to God who was in his temple. 7. David claimed that he was righteous. 8. David gave God the glory for his victories. 9. David said that his enemies cried out to God but God did not answer them. 10. David claims that God would avenge him. 11. Does David call God his rock? 12. Does David claim that when God speaks even the heavens shake? 13. Did David claim that he had obeyed the laws of God? 14. Did David claim that even his own people were against him? 15. Did David say that God honored him because he was his anointed? 9

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 23 1. What does the author of this book call David s last words?. Verse 2. Which one of David s mighty men killed eight hundred men in one encounter? 3. Who fought until his hand froze to the sword?. Verse 4. Why did David pour out the water that his men has risked their lives to bring to him? 5. Who killed an Egyptian with his own spear?. Verse 6. David is called Israel s Singer Of Songs. 7. There were three groups of mighty men, the three, the thirty and the hundred. 8. Abishai was one of the three mighty men. 9. Joab s brother was one of the thirty mighty men. 10. Uriah the Hittite was among the mighty men. 11. Were there two of David s mighty men who stood and fought a battle alone? 12. Did David have his headquarters in a cave? 13. Did the Philistines have a garrison at Bethlehem? 14. Was Benaiah put in charge of David s bodyguard? 15. Have you heard of Uriah the Hittite before? 10

2 SAMUEL - CHAPTER 24 1. Why did David order that the fighting men be counted? 2. How long did it take the army commanders to count all of the fighting men 3. What was the name of th prophet who came to David?. Verse 4. How many people from Dan to Beersheba died of the plague?. Verse 5. Why did David insist on paying for the threshing floor and the oxen to be offered? 6. Joab was not in favor of counting the fighting men. 7. David s conscience did not bother him when the fighting men were counted. 8. Each of the three options involved another number three. 9. 70,000 people died due to the plague. 10. David offered both burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. 11. Did it take a long time to count the fighting men? 12. Did David finally realize that he had done a foolish thing? 13. Was the angel who caused the plague going to destroy Jerusalem? 14. Did David deny all responsibility for the plague? 15. Did the Lord accept David offerings and answer his prayers? be heeded? 11