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.
21:15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.
Why did David become exhausted?
Had he become unfit from lack of exercise because of palace living? Had palace living made him slack?
These chapters at the end are an overview of David's life and not in chronological order (v. 1). So is this the reason why David stayed home and saw Bathsheba bathing (11:1-2)?
Spiritually, we need to stay battle ready.
21:15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.
Why did David become exhausted?
Had he become unfit from lack of exercise because of palace living? Had palace living made him slack?
These chapters at the end are an overview of David's life and not in chronological order (v. 1). So is this the reason why David stayed home and saw Bathsheba bathing (11:1-2)?
Spiritually, we need to stay battle ready.
22:1 David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
This is the high point of David's life and seems to be before the Bathsheba incident (v.21-25). Seems like David was never the same after Bathsheba. We reap what we sow. Even though there is forgiveness our witness is damaged, our influence is restricted and our ongoing legacy is tarnished.
22:1 David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
This is the high point of David's life and seems to be before the Bathsheba incident (v.21-25). Seems like David was never the same after Bathsheba. We reap what we sow. Even though there is forgiveness our witness is damaged, our influence is restricted and our ongoing legacy is tarnished.
23:1 These are the last words of David: "The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs."
There are four descriptions of David's leadership: He was born son of Jesse; exalted by the Most High; anointed by God; and became a hero through God. This chapter shows the high point of David's spiritual life, when he had to trust God for mere survival.
23:1 These are the last words of David: "The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs."
There are four descriptions of David's leadership: He was born son of Jesse; exalted by the Most High; anointed by God; and became a hero through God. This chapter shows the high point of David's spiritual life, when he had to trust God for mere survival.
24:10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."
David was a man after God's own heart – not because he was perfect but because he knew he wasn't. He admits his sin wholeheartedly without excuse.
In choosing a punishment David may have realized that a famine or an enemy attack wasn't going to impact him as much as the people because as king he was well protected but a plague would affect everyone equally.
The book finishes with the building of an altar which eventually became the site of the temple and a source of great blessing to the people.
24:10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."
David was a man after God's own heart – not because he was perfect but because he knew he wasn't. He admits his sin wholeheartedly without excuse.
In choosing a punishment David may have realized that a famine or an enemy attack wasn't going to impact him as much as the people because as king he was well protected but a plague would affect everyone equally.
The book finishes with the building of an altar which eventually became the site of the temple and a source of great blessing to the people.