2 Samuel
Lesson 52 Samuel 8-10 & 1 Chronicles 18
This week as we continue our study of 2 Samuel, we will see God’s great plan for Israel continuing to unfold. In prior weeks, we’ve seen God installing David as King and reuniting the 10 Northern Tribes (Israel) and the 2 Southern Tribes (Judah). We saw that he gave the city of Jerusalem over to David and that David took up residence there – the political head of the nation in Jerusalem. Following this, the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem, thus establishing it as both the center of government and religion.
We will see Israel’s enemies defeated, as God brings a promised rest from her enemies to Jerusalem through the leadership of the new King David. From this lesson, we will learn once again about the great things that God can bring about in our lives. What a great example David provides to us for achieving victory in our own life!
Read 2 Samuel Chapters 8-10 then answer the following questions:
- David conducts a military campaign, documented in verses 1 through 8 of Chapter 8. List the enemies he defeats.
- What is the basic precept about God that we can learn from the following verses: 2 Samuel 8:6 and 8:14 and 1 Chronicles 18:6 and 18:12?
- In 2 Samuel 7:11, God promised he would bring David and Israel relief from their enemies. Do you suppose that this is what just happened in the first eight verses of chapter 8?
- What did David do with all the spoils and gifts from his military campaigns? (2 Sam. 8:7-12)
- What eventually happened to all the spoils that David dedicated to the Lord? (I Kings 7:51)
- In chapter 8, verses 7-8, we learn that in addition to the gold shields, David also took a great quantity of bronze. What happened to the bronze? (1 Chronicles 18:8)
- In chapter 9, David shows great kindness to the surviving relative of Saul, one of Jonathan’s sons. This brings closure to the old wounds created between the northern and southern tribes during Saul’s rule. In verse 1 of chapter 9, David uses the phrase “for Jonathan’s sake.” What was he referring to? (1 Samuel 20:14-17)
- After vanquishing his enemies and living up to his promise to Jonathan, all is well in the kingdom until rebellion breaks out in Chapter 10. Who eventually leads the battle that squashes the rebellion?
This week we should be asking ourselves if we are allowing God to bring the victories in our lives, or if we’re trying to fight each battle in our own strength, and on our terms.
And if you do allow God to bring the victory, do you do as David did, and acknowledge his presence in your life through the gifts and offerings you dedicate to God?
Let’s pray we don’t selfishly keep the spoils of God’s victories in our lives. Let’s commit to give God the glory for each victory and blessing that he brings into our lives – David did, and he set a great example for us.
As we close this week’s lesson, pay special attention to all the battles that have occurred or been mentioned in these first ten chapters. This will be relevant next week when we study the famous story of David and Bathsheeba.
May God richly bless you this week. Thanks for studying with us.
Yours in Christ,
Wes