"Special Envoy" / 2 Samuel 10:1-19 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, who is Hanun? Who is his father, Nahash? (1 Sam 11) Why might Nahun be looking for an opportunity to end relations with David and Israel?

2 – In verses 2-3, what did David intend by sending envoys to Hanun? What motivation did Hanun's advisors attribute to David's envoys?

3 – In verse 4, why was Hanun's treatment of David's envoys so humil1ating? What did they think would happen?

4 – In verse 6, why spend $1,000,000 rather than apologize to David? What did they expect? How is this an illustration of the sinner's action when God's envoys bring his message?

5 – In verses 9-12, was Joab confident he would win? Why did Israel fight so valiantly? Why should we resist our enemy against such great odds?

6 – In verse 15, the Syrians retreat, regroup, and come back in greater force with Hadadezer in charge. What is at stake? Why such overwhelming force in a fight that initially wasn't theirs? What happened? How does the outcome alter the geopolitical map?

7 – If your king assigns you the job of special envoy to your town or workplace, what can he expect from you? If you won't be warmly welcomed, then why do it?

"For Pete's Sake" / 2 Samuel 9:1-13 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - It's the practice of kings to exterminate all threats to the throne, especially the descendants of the former regime.

What reason does David give for seeking out a survivor of Saul's family? Why does David want to? What kind of a relationship existed between David and Jonathan?

2 – In verses 2-4, why is Jonathan's son always refered to as a cripple? Why is Mephibosheth at Lo-debar and not with Ziba?

3 – In verses 5-6, why might Mephibosheth be concerned to meet King David?

4 – In verses 7-8, David says, "Do not fear." Where else have we heard that? What reason does David give to, "not be afraid?"

What does it mean to eat at the king's table? How is it remarkable that Saul's grandson eats at David's table? (vs 7,11,13)

5 – David grants grace to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. God grants grace to you for Jesus' sake. According to Eph 4:32; why should we grant grace to others? For who's sake?

"War and Peace" / 2 Samuel 8:1-14 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – David launched four pre-emptive strikes against Israel's neighbors. What did he hope to accomplish? Did it work? Is fighting a war sometimes the avenue to peace? How so?

2 – In verse 2, David executed 2/3 of the Moabite soldiers. Why not kill them all? Was this vicious or gracious? Why?

How is it an example of mercy? Did David have the right to kill them all? Why does this act offend us?

3 – In verse 4, why does David hamstring the horses? David "took" 20K foot soldiers and did not kill them, why?

4 – In verse 9, why is Toi happy about David's victories? Why does he send his son to see David? What does he want? Why?

5 – In verses 11, why is David stockpiling wealth?

6 – How has Jesus, like David, fought an enemy for us? How has his victory benefited us? Read Revelation 19:11. How is Jesus depicted as a warrior? Why? What does he intend to do?

"A House For my Name" / 2 Sam 7:1-29 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – What does the architecture of man's house of worship tell us about his God?

About his relationship to his god?

2 – In verses 1-7, why is David interested in a building for the ark? What does the

ark represent? How has it been housed historically? What has changed?

What does the ark's housing represent? Whose idea was it to build a temple? What

does Nathan first tell David to do? Why does he reverse his advice?

3 – In verses 8-11, what three things does God promise David? How is this similar to

the promises God makes to Abraham? (Gen 12:2, 15:5-7, etc)

4 – In verses 12-17, this predictive passage involves "telescoping." What two people is

God talking about? What things does God say applies to the offspring of David? How

does it specifically apply to each one?

5 – In verse 18-24, how did David respond to God's word? How should we?

6 – In verses 25-29, what is the relationship between our faith and God's promises?

In this light, define biblical faith.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" / 2 Samuel 6:1-23 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, why would David want to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem? Why not leave it where it was?

Why is it at Baale-Judah, (Kireath-Jearim)? Under what conditions did it get there?

2 – In verses 3-4, why did they carry the ark of God on a cart? Where did they learn that? How was it supposed to be transported?

3 – In verse 5, why was David and the crowd so enthusiastic? What elements of worship are mentioned? Is this how genuine worship done? Why or why not?

4 – In verses 6-8, why did God kill Uzzah? Is God capricious? Was Uzzah disrespectful? Is Uzzah's hand less clean than the ground or dirt? How so?

5 – In verses 12-15, How does David correct his previous mistakes? How does he display extraordinary respect and awe?

Why does Israel's king discard his robes and dance in a linen ephod? Who is he trying to impress?

6 – How should our worship be more respectful and yet more joyful and celebratory? Why isn't it?

"Lost Horizon" / 2 Samuel 5:1-25 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-5, what three things do the elders acknowledge about David's rightful claims as king over Israel? If they knew this, why didn't they make him king sooner?

2 – In verses 6-10, why was David's first act as king over united Israel to attack Jebus, a city never before conquered by the Jews? Why did the Jebusites taunt David that he could never take them?

How was the invasion accomplished? How did David know about their vulnerability? Why was he ultimately successful? (v 10)

3 – In verses 17-21, why are the Philistines alarmed that David is now king over united Israel? Why were they unconcerned the past 7 years? How is their invasion plan similar to the one previously against Saul at Jezreel?

What is at stake here? How does David differ from Saul in his tactics? (v 19)

4 – In verses 22-25, the Philistines launch a stronger force, better prepared, and with greater numbers. What does David do first? (v 23) How is David's battle plan different? Why? With what results?

5 – What are some examples of how God leads us through difficulties before He leads us to promises fulfilled?

"Assassins" / 2 Samuel 4:1-12 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, why is Ishbosheth afraid? Of what? Why are the people dismayed?

2 – In verses 2-3, why is it important that the assassins are from Benjamin?

3 – In verse 4, who is Mephibosheth? Why is his condition and age significant to the story?

4 – In verses 5-8, why did the assassins murder the king? What do they ultimately hope to accomplish? Why did they cut off his head?

Why are they in a hurry to get to Hebron? Why are they proud of their trophy?

5 – In verses 9-12, with Ishbosheth out of the picture, there is no one to keep David from being king over all of Israel. Why isn't David pleased? What precedent does he cite?

Why are the assassins not only executed, but also mutilated and displayed? What message is David making?

6 – In what ways do Christians "assassinate" fellow Christians? Read Ephesians 4:25-32. Is it really all that serious? Who says so? Read Matthew 5:21-22

"Prince of Peace" / 2 Samuel 3:22-39 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verses 21 – 25, it says, "David sent Abner away in peace.” Why is that astonishing? What was the cost of peace?

Why is Joab angry about this? What does he want instead? Is Joab insubordinate in his questions to David? What does Joab suggest Abner's motives really were?

2 – In verses 26-30, Why does Joab murder Abner? What motives might he have that are not stated here? How does David distance himself from Joab's deed?

3 – In verses 31-39, how does David's command to Joab embarrass him? Why is Abner buried in Hebron and not in his hometown?

Why does David weep for Abner after all the harm he has done to David? Why is

Abner's death a cause for national mourning?

4 – How is David, "a prince of peace?" How is he a shadow, or type, of the Prince of Peace to come? Why is peace making so important to Jesus in his church?

What instructions has the Holy Spirit left to us for promoting peace? See Rom 14:19, 2 Cor 13:11, Heb 12:14, James 3:18, 1 Pet 3:10-11 & Eph 2:14.

"Switching Sides" / 2 Samuel 3:1-21 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-7, what examples are given which show David getting stronger? Does the Bible endorse polygamy? Why, or why not?

What example is given of Abner attempting to strengthen his position? What is the problem with his choice? Does Abner have a legitimate claim to rule? Why, or why not?

2 – In verses 8-19, why does Abner respond to being questioned with anger? What does he determine to do? Does he have the ability? The right?

Is he a "king maker?" Does he have the power to make David king over all Israel? What does Abner reveal that he has always known about David?

3 – In verses 20 and following, Why does David welcome and receive Abner when they are not friends, but enemies? Why does he send him home in peace? What has Abner done against David?

4 – How were we once enemies of the rightful king? Why? How has the king received and welcomed us? Why would this infuriate the enemy of our souls? What has happened to change our relationship to the king?

"Politics" / 2 Samuel 2:1-32 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verses 1-7, what was David's first action prior to moving back to Judah? What does this tell us about him? What example does this leave for us?

Why did the men of Judah anoint David their king? How and why did David thank the men of Jabesh Gilead?

2 – In verses 8-11, what was Abner's motivation in resisting David's kingship?

3 – In verses 12-13, what was Abner's motivation for meeting Joab at Gibeon? What was he hoping to accomplish? How?

4 – In verses 14-17, what was the point of 12 men fighting from each side? What was it supposed to accomplish? What happened?

5 – In verses 18-23, why was Asahel chasing Abner? What did he think would happen? Why did Abner repeatedly warn him to stop pursuing him? Why does Joab relentlessly pursue Abner?

6 – In verses 24-32, why does Abner suggest a truce? Why does Joab agree? What is the immediate and long term result of this truce?

7 – Why is every form of human government flawed? Why should we submit to it? Read Mt 22:21, Jn 19:11, Rom 13:1-7, 1 Tim 2:1-3. What is the one form of government that will work? How do we get it? When?