2 Samuel 19

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

David Returns to Jerusalem After the Death of Absalom

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Doing the right thing involves controlling your emotions.

  2. Doing the right thing involves listening to reason.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t expect smooth sailing after the storm is over! 

QUESTIONS

  1. Why was Absalom killed?

  2. Was David right to mourn the death of Absalom? If so, for how long?

  3. Why didn’t Barzillai take David up on his offer to be his guest in Jerusalem?

  4. Did this chapter have a happy ending?

ANSWERS

  1. He usurped the throne of Israel.

  2. David right to mourn the death of his son, but after a time of mourning, David needed to control his emotions and get back to the Job God had given him.

  3. Barzillai was getting old. He didn’t want to be a burden to the king, and wanted to die in his own homeland.

  4. Sadly, no. Verses 40-43 reveal that the seeds of division were already being planted, and would ultimately result in the split of the kingdom.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Grief can hit us hard. Sometimes we may feel paralyzed and unable to move on. Discuss some strategies for dealing with heavy grief.

  2. Sometimes after a great spiritual victory, we may encounter more problems. Should this be expected? Consider ways that we can stay alert and ready for things that may go wrong.

CHALLENGE

  1. God has given all of us a responsibility in His Kingdom. Are we consistent in our service for God — in good times and bad times?

KEY VERSE

  • ““Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”  So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people.” 2 Samuel 19:6

2 Samuel, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid2 SAMUEL 19