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