Week 9 - Day 1

June 26, 2008
Day 1/ Week 9

Crossing the Jordan
Today’s Treasure: 2 Samuel 19: 14
“He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man. They sent word to the king, ‘Return, you and all your men’ “
Read 2 Samuel 19: 1 – 14. Based on their responses to David’s grief, how do you believe David’s men felt about him?

A: I am sure the soldiers loved David with all of their hearts, and they mourned because they knew they were responsible for his grief. I also feel certain that they were confused because they were only doing what David led them out to do in the first place. Their actions were out of loyalty to him, and they were watching him grieve the loss of a son that hated him.

How would you characterize Joab’s method of motivating David to get back to work?

A: Joab was very callous in his attempt to motivate David. He was being selfish for not recognizing that David lost a child. Although there was truth in what Joab was speaking to David, he should have been gentler in his delivery method.

Do you think Juab may have had a personal reason for not wanting to see David mourning?

A: Juab knew he was responsible for Absalom death, and I am sure a certain amount of guilt played in his emotions. He was also more concerned for the men in his army than the emotions that David needed to experience.

One major change was listed in verse 13. What was it?

A: David vowed to replace Juab as army commander with Amass

How did they people of Judah accept David’s message according to verse 14?

A: They embraced him as if Judah was one man

We’ve looked at David from many angles at this point in our study. Below write four or five adjectives which you believe describe David.

 Very human!!!! He was strong in battle, but weak in matters of the heart. He feared the Lord, but chose to turn away from him at times. He is a very complex individual. I think it was due to the immense intelligence that he had, the wisdom that came in his view of the world and the artistic part of him that allowed his to experience his deep emotions.

Read 2 Samuel 19: 15 – 30. According to verse 15, why did the men of Judah come to Gulag?

A: To escort the king across the Jordan

In verses 24 – 30, do you see any evidence suggesting Mephibosheth’s loyalty to David and his innocence in Ziba’s former claims? If so, what is the evidence?
A: Do you remember in earlier scripture where Ziba accused Mephibosheth of staying back when David went into battle because he felt his was going to receive his grandfather’s kingdom that day? Well, here Mephibosheth was given the opportunity to redeem himself. I love the fact that David allowed him to do this. After all, he is the king. Yet, he did not forget the commitment he made to Mephibosheth to love him as his own grandson. Mephibosheth explained to him that he could not travel with David and hold him back with his physical state. He did not care about the material things that were turned over to Ziba and taken away from him. All he cared about was the fact the David was alive and well. This was a beautiful example of restoration. Beth points out an important parallel in this story. David was never reconciled with Absalom as he should have been. Yet, he was given the opportunity to reconcile with his adopted child, Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was willing to accept and love David. Beth compares this to the unwillingness of God’s children to accept reconciliation through the son of God, Jesus Christ. However, the adopted sons of God – the church- accepted him, loved him and remained loyal to him!!!!
Read 2 Samuel 19: 31 – 43. Reconsider the tender scene between David and Barzillai. Why did David want Barzillia to stay with him in Jerusalem?

A: Barzillia was eighty years old and David wanted to protect him

In one sentence, why did Barzillia refuse David’s offer?

A: He did not want to be a burden to David. He wanted to return to his home and die there
Based on your impressions of verses 41 – 43, what was the problem between the men of Israel and the men of Judah?

A: The men of Israel wanted to be the first to meet David because they stood by him in battle. The men of Judah were there first, but they had once turned their back on David.

Have you ever finally resolved yourself to a former relationship, job or situation only to discover things had not changed much?

A: Yes, we all have. You have to stay focused and realize that you are not meant to be in deep relationships with everyone in your life.

How did you feel?

A: discouraged, wondering why the relationship was even important to me

Did you hang in there in spite of it all? What motivated you to continue in reconciliation or resolution?

A: Just wanting to be who God needed me to be in the person’s life