2 Samuel 15

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Absalom Usurps the Throne; King David Flees Jerusalem

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The hearts of the unfaithful are stolen by looks and talk.

  2. The hearts of the faithful are committed through thick and thin.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. You can serve the Lord in many different ways.

QUESTIONS

  1. How did Absalom lay the groundwork to overtake the throne?

  2. How did Absalom steal the hearts of the people?

  3. What lie did Absalom tell David? Why did he tell this lie?

  4. How did David react to Absalom’s declaration?

  5. Who was Ittai?

ANSWERS

  1. Absalom drew attention to himself by a display of kingly appearance. He provided himself with an impressive entourage which drew admiring crowds. He then set himself up in a strategic spot in the city where official complaints and grievances would be registered. He would tell the people that their claims were right and just, and if only he were in charge, justice would be done.

  2. By looks and talk.

  3. Absalom lied to David about a vow he had supposedly made to serve the Lord. This was all part of his evil plan to get to Hebron and carry out his agenda of declaring himself king in Hebron.

  4. David decided to leave Jerusalem rather than stay and fight and put the city through a bloodbath.

  5. Ittai was a Gittite (from Gath) who went with David when he fled Jerusalem. Ittai showed incredible loyalty to David and stuck by him in his time of distress.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Good-looking, sweet-talking public figures can win hearts in the secular arena and in the church as well. Can you think of some examples of this? What were the consequences when hearts were drawn to these people?

  2. The hearts of the faithful are committed through thick and thin. When you ask committed Christians, “Are you willing to die for your faith?” many will quickly say yes. But if you ask if they are willing to be laughed at, ridiculed, or rejected for their faith, they may pause as they realize the true cost of loyalty. What about you? How will you be like Ittai the Gittite?

CHALLENGE

  1. Many different people served David in different ways, whether by accompanying him on his flight or returning to Jerusalem to spy on Absalom. So you can serve the Lord in many different ways, too.

KEY VERSES

  • “So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:6

  • “So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, ‘Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom.’” 2 Samuel 15:14

  • “But Ittai answered the king and said, ‘As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.’” 2 Samuel 15:21

2 Samuel, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 SAMUEL 15