2 Samuel
Lesson 32 Samuel 5 & 1 Chronicles 11
This week, we’ll look at David as the new leader of a now-unified Nation of Israel – what he accomplishes and how – all by being totally dependent on the Lord. May God bless you as you study His word with us.
We can learn a lot from studying David’s actions and leadership style – which puts complete trust in God – something I think all of us would agree we desperately need more of today, both in the home and work place, and certainly within our local and national leaders.
Read 2 Samuel Chapter 5; then answer the following questions:
- What does the phrase “tribes of Israel” refer to? (See verse 4)
- How old was David when he became King over the united 12 tribes – the Nation of Israel?
- Since David was a young thirty years old when he became King over all of Israel, we can deduce that all of the things that David did in 1 Samuel would have occurred when he was a teenager and a "twenty-something". Briefly glance or skim through 1 Samuel from Chapter 16 through Chapter 29 and list the things you find there that David did, or the things that happened to David – all before he was thirty. Do you think that this indicates David was a strong follower of the Lord even as a young person?
- If you completed question three above, you have probably listed at least six or seven major deeds or events in David’s life that indicated how strong his faith in God was – before he turned thirty years old. Would you say David’s reputation within the Nation of Israel was gained by his deeds – and the people saw him as a fierce warrior? Or was his reputation gained because they knew that he put his complete faith and trust in God in everything he did – and they saw him as a real man of God?
- Based on your answer to question four, what does this tell us about our actions and the affect they have on others?
- When David led the army to capture the city of Jerusalem, why did the Jebusites say to him that even the "lame and blind" could keep him away? What were they implying? (see Chapter 5 verses 6-8)
- What happened between verses 8 and 9 – how was the city taken? (See also 1 Chronicles 11:4-9)
- Who lead the charge? (see 1 Chronicles 11:6)
- After capturing the city of Jerusalem and defeating the Jebusites, David now takes on the Philistines. Who did David consult with before going to war with the Philistines? (2 Samuel 5:19)
- Who was in front of the army when they defeated the Philistines – was it David, Joab, or someone else? (2 Samuel 5:24)
- In all three major events in this passage – David anointed King over the united nation of Israel, David capturing Jerusalem, and David’s defeat of the Philistines – what is the one truth that applies to all three events?
I pray that this week’s lesson will show you the importance of relying on God, and how important it is to have leaders who put their complete trust in God as well. Whether you were one of David’s mighty men – or just a foot soldier, a citizen or a foreign visitor passing through – everyone knew in that day that David belonged to God.
Will everyone know the same about you?
May God richly bless you this week. Thanks for studying with us.
Yours in Christ,
Wes