Michael Quattlebaum

2 Samuel 7:5-16

Kings compared to David:

• Solomon (1 Kings 3:3)
• Abijam (1 Kings 15:1-3)
• Asa (1 Kings 15:11)
• Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:7-8)
• Ahaz (2 Kings 16:2)
• Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1-3; 2 Chronicles 29:1-2)
• Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:1-2)
• Jesus (Luke 1:32)

God Deals Kindly with Israel and Judah for the sake of David

• In punishing Solomon (1 Kings 11:13)
• In punishing Judah for the deeds of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:16-19)
• Protects Hezekiah against Assyria for David’s sake (Isaiah 37:33-35)

The Temple

• Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1)
• Dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 6)

The Everlasting Kingdom

• In prophecy of Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7)
• In the arrival of Christ (Matthew 1:5-6, 17)
• Christ’s entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion (Mark 11:10)

In Salvation (John 1:1-14; 3:13-18)

2 Samuel 12:13-22; 2 Samuel 13:37-39; 2 Samuel 18:14-17, 33; Psalm 51

1. How did David react when it was discovered that he had killed Uriah?  How is that different from what might be expected?
2. What was unique about the way that David dealt with the grief over the death of his son with Bathsheba?  What was unusual about the way that God dealt with David?
3. David faced many challenges and hurts with his family over his years as king:
   • Many battles – he was a man at war
   • Amnon commits incest with his sister, Tamar
   • Absalom kills Amnon and flees
   • Absalom rises up against David, the people choose Absalom
   • Absalom is killed by Joab
   • Famine in the land
   • Adonijah tries to make himself king
4. Who did David mourn after Absalom killed Amnon?  Why?  (2 Samuel 13:37-39)
5. What was David’s reaction when he heard that Absalom was dead?  (2 Samuel 18:33)
6. When David’s heart was broken, and he called out to God (Psalm 51:10-14), what was God’s reaction? (1 Kings 15:1-5)

We are all sinful people.  But a man who seeks after God’s heart is broken over sin, repents of it, and calls on God for forgiveness.  How are you dealing with your sin today?

2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:5-7; 12:10-14; Psalm 51

1. What was David doing when he saw Bathsheba?  What should he have been doing? Why was he wandering around on the rooftop?
2. Why was David intrigued with Bathsheba?  How did he pursue her?
3. How did David plan to cover up Bathsheba’s pregnancy?  What happened to prevent the plan from working?
4. Did David have opportunity to confess and repent of his sin before being confronted by Nathan?  Why didn’t he?
5. Look at David’s reaction to Nathan’s analogy in 12:5-6.  Why do you think David reacted so harshly?  How do you think David felt when Nathan declared that David was the man he was talking about?
6. What were the consequences of David’s sin?  How did God intend to make sure David remembered his transgressions?
7. Read verse 13.  Did God accept David’s repentance as genuine? (For a more detailed look at his repentance, read Psalm 51)
8. Did David’s repentance mean that all the consequences of his sin were removed?

Are you a sinner?  Have you sinned today even?  The consequence of that sin is death.  But through the blood of Jesus, your sins are forgiven.  Have you accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation?

1 Samuel 18:1-3; 1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 23:16-18

1. When you think about your best friend, or a good friend, what characteristics do you look for?
2. Read 1 Sam 18:1-3.  Why was Jonathan’s soul knit to David’s?  What does that mean?
3. What risks did Jonathan face in defending David before his father?  Why was he willing to take that risk? (19:1-7)
4. Why was Jonathan willing to do anything for his friend David? (20:4)
5. Look at the code that David and Jonathan came up with to ensure David’s safety.  Did they follow the code exactly as planned?  Why or why not?
6. What was Jonathan’s reaction when Saul became angry?
7. Read verses 20:41-42.  Why were they so sad?
8. Did David and Jonathan continue to keep in touch after this?  (23:16-18)

What kind of friend are you?  Are you one that will be committed to matter what?  Are you one who will stand up for your friends in difficult times?  Protect them when you can?  Be sad with them, and for them?  Continue to keep in touch even when you are apart?

1 Samuel 17

1. Why was all of Israel’s army afraid of the Philistines?  Why did they allow Goliath to taunt them?  How big was Goliath?
2. What plan did Goliath propose in order to prevent the armies from fighting?  What was the outcome to be?
3. What is David’s reaction to Goliath?  Why did he see the threat from Goliath differently from the rest of the army?
4. Read verse 28.  Why did Eliab, David’s brother, reacted to David the way he did?
5. Notice Saul’s solution to sending David into battle.  David refuses to be armed and protected.  Why?
6. Why was Goliath insulted by David’s appearing to fight him?
7. Read verses 48-52.  Notice how David chooses to face Goliath.  Not standing, waiting, but charging into the battle.  What would you have done?
8. How is the outcome different from what Goliath originally proposed when he fell?  Why?
9. What was David’s reward for his victory?

What Goliath are you facing today?  Do you have the faith, strength, and courage to face your giant?  What made David ready when his time came?   Are you ready?

1 Samuel 16:14-23

1. After Samuel anointed David to be the next king over Israel, what happened to Saul?

   
   

2. What is unusual about the servant’s statement in verse 15?

   
   

3. What was the purpose in seeking out someone who could play the harp well? Why did they think this would help? Do you suppose there were many skillful harp players in Israel?

   
   

4. Look at the description of David given in verse 18. What kind of reputation did David have?

   
   

5. What was the result of David’s work before the king? Did Saul know that David had been anointed as the next king? Who knew?

   
   

6. What was David’s role as armor bearer?

   
   

7. Why did the evil spirit leave Saul each time that David played his harp?

   
   

8. Was David content in his service to Saul, even though he knew that he would one day replace Saul as king?

Consider for a moment your service for the church, and for God. Perhaps you want to do great things for God. Perhaps you even feel called to a special purpose, or a special work for Him. Many times we can get distracted or even diverted by that goal. What are you doing right now, where you are, in serving Him? Are you content in where God has you right now, doing what He has for you while you wait?

1 Samuel 13:8-14; 15:3, 15:9, 15:11, 15:35; 16:1-13

1. Why did Israel decide that they needed a king?  Why was Saul appointed king?
2. What did Saul do to anger God? (on two separate occasions)
3. What did God say about His decision to make Saul king?  Why?
4. What was God’s plan to replace Saul?  Did God’s plan match up with what the people thought?  With what Samuel thought?
5. What was different about David?  Why did God pick David?  Who would you have picked among the sons of Jesse?
6. What did Jesse assume when he was invited to the sacrifice?  Why?
7. Why did Jesse not plan to present David before Samuel?  Why did he react the way he did when Samuel asked if he had more sons?
8. What changed about David when Samuel anointed him as king?  Why was David anointed at this point in his life, before he actually took the throne?

We tend to get in our heads what we need, what we like, and what is best for us with little concern for what God thinks.  Oh, we pretend to include Him in the decision by asking his blessings on our decisions and then being confused when it all doesn’t work out.  This story in the life of David makes it clear, that what the world thinks and how God sees things are vastly different.  Are you following your own heart?  Your own desires?  Or are you seeking after the heart of God?

Over the next eight weeks, we will be studying events in the life of David.  As an introduction to our study, read each of these passages and write down characteristics of David.

Acts 13:21-23

1 Samuel 17:45-51

1 Samuel 16:21; 18:16; 18:20

1 Samuel 18:1-4

1 Samuel 16:12; 17:42

1 Samuel 16:13

2 Samuel 7:1; 7:16

2 Samuel 11:1-4

The majority of David’s life is recorded in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.  His own writings, of course, are seen throughout the Psalms as well.  Over the next few weeks, we sill study David as:

1. Unlikely King
2. Devoted Servant
3. Faithful Warrior
4. Committed Friend
5. Triumphant Leader
6. Fallen Man
7. Broken Spirit
8. Father of Nations