2 Samuel 14

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

David Brings Absalom Back to Jerusalem

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Proper discipline must involve more than righteous anger or sorrow.

  2. Proper discipline may involve permanent scars and separation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t neglect to discipline your good looking and talented children.

QUESTIONS

  1. Briefly summarize the events of 2 Samuel 13.

  2. What did Joab scheme to do?

  3. Discuss the different factors and agendas involved behind the scenes.

  4. What would have been the right thing for David to do with Absalom?

  5. Did Absalom ever show repentance for his sin?

ANSWERS

  1. In the previous chapter we saw the rape of Tamar by Amnon and the murder of Amnon by Absalom. Absalom fled the country and was not brought back or forced to return home to face trial.

  2. Joab sensed David’s dilemma of wanting Absalom to come home, but also knowing he was responsible to carry out justice. Joab schemed with an old woman to go before David with a made up story about her predicament as a poor widow with a son who had killed his brother.

  3. Joab had a selfish agenda to stay on the good side of both David and Absalom who had a claim to the throne. There was a portion of Israelites whose sense of justice would demand that Absalom be properly brought to trial for murder. Then there would be those who favored Absalom, because they would not see him as a murderer, but as a good brother who defended his sister after her rape.

  4. Absalom should have been brought to trial – regardless of the fact that he was the king’s son. Perhaps mercy could be shown to Absalom at the trial, in view of Tamar’s rape by Amnon, but Absalom had committed murder and should have been brought to justice.

  5. No. Absalom uses his restored position and good looks to lay the groundwork for his agenda of usurping the throne.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Proper discipline must involve more than righteous anger or sorrow. David was angered and sorrowful about his sons’ sins, but he did nothing about it. Can you think of a modern example of this in your home, church, or civil government?

  2. Do you think good looking and talented people “get away” with more? Discuss whether you think this trend begins in childhood and how it may continue throughout life

CHALLENGE

  1. Proper discipline may involve permanent scars and separation. Do you know someone who is under discipline by your church? Do you love them enough to separate yourself from them for their ultimate good?

KEY VERSES

  • “And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman… So Joab put the words in her mouth.” 2 Samuel 14:2-3

  • “And the king said to Joab, ‘All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom.’” 2 Samuel 14:21

2 Samuel, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 SAMUEL 14