Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:13-14 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
David wouldn't kill Shimei because he saw that God had either sent or allowed him to curse him. However the constant opposition while it did not stop David did wear him out ("exhausted"). Yet David knew how to refresh himself. Do we?
16:13-14 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
David wouldn't kill Shimei because he saw that God had either sent or allowed him to curse him. However the constant opposition while it did not stop David did wear him out ("exhausted"). Yet David knew how to refresh himself. Do we?
17:21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David.
17:28 …brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils…
David was provided with information, with food and drink. David was reaping what he sowed yet God still provided.
17:21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David.
17:28 …brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils…
David was provided with information, with food and drink. David was reaping what he sowed yet God still provided.
18:33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!"
David was so distraught over Absalom that he wished he had died instead.
God was so distraught over our sin that he sent Jesus to die in our place.
Absalom wasn't a virtuous person yet David was willing to die in his place.
Likewise we are not virtuous but God was willing to die in our place.
18:33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!"
David was so distraught over Absalom that he wished he had died instead.
God was so distraught over our sin that he sent Jesus to die in our place.
Absalom wasn't a virtuous person yet David was willing to die in his place.
Likewise we are not virtuous but God was willing to die in our place.
19:14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, "Return, you and all your men."
There seems to be some reluctance on behalf of Judah's leaders to bring David back and he needed their support. Maybe because of David's treatment of them following Absalom's death (v.5-8). Nevertheless, perhaps through God's favour on his life, he was able to win them over.
Likewise we need God's favour to win over the hearts of those people we need to support us.
19:14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, "Return, you and all your men."
There seems to be some reluctance on behalf of Judah's leaders to bring David back and he needed their support. Maybe because of David's treatment of them following Absalom's death (v.5-8). Nevertheless, perhaps through God's favour on his life, he was able to win them over.
Likewise we need God's favour to win over the hearts of those people we need to support us.
20:19 "We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?"
Joab was about to destroy this city because of Sheba, but this wise woman was able to show Joab the folly of his way.
The words of the wise can turn away conflict.
20:19 "We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?"
Joab was about to destroy this city because of Sheba, but this wise woman was able to show Joab the folly of his way.
The words of the wise can turn away conflict.