Old Testament Survey
Lesson 122 Samuel Chapters 11-17
In the previous lesson, which covered the first 11 chapters of 2 Samuel, we saw that David, having been anointed King over Israel, moved his headquarters to Jerusalem where, with the help of the King of Tyre, he built a palace. Seeing that the Ark of the Covenant remained in a tent while he lived in a lavish palace, David decided to build a house for God as well. God intervened by pointing out to David that if God wanted a house, He would have had one already. This demonstrated to us that even the best of intentions may sound good to us, but may in fact not be God’s will.
In this lesson, we focus our study on 2 Samuel Chapters 11-17. We will look at the other side of David. We will see him fall away from being a man of great ethical character and a strong walk with God. David will sin in numerous ways, resulting in the death of his first born and a family thrown into a state of constant turmoil and struggle.
Read 2 Samuel Chapter 11 through Chapter 17; then answer the following:
- Describe the circumstances surrounding the events in chapters 11 and 12.
- What indication do we have that David was in control, both emotionally and psychologically, during the illness and death of Bathsheba’s first child?
- How was Nathan’s prophesied judgment on David fulfilled?
- Discuss the capture of Rabbah of the Ammonites by Joab.
- What were the events surrounding Tamar’s rape by Amnon?
- How did Amnon die? What happened that led to his death?
- What was Absalom’s tactic for turning the hearts of the people against his father David?
- How did Absalom pull off such a political and military coup?
- Hushai the Arkite was a "double agent". What did he do, and how did he communicate with David?
We see a real contrast between (1) the David that we had come to know as having a strong and deep walk with God and very high ethical standards and (2) this week’s David—selfish, manipulative, dishonest and a murderer. How is it possible? What a struggle it is for us to imagine such a thing! Yet, as we examine this story, we can see that, like the rest of us, David had his weak spots, his shortcomings, and they resulted in his sinning against God. David also demonstrates to us the true nature of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation&mash;and the cost that comes with sinning against God.
As we will discover through the rest of our study David’s life, his kingdom and his family will all suffer from the effects of his sin—yet God still loves David deeply and David loves God that much more
Thanks again for studying with us; have a great week.
In Christ,
Wes
[2020]