Bible Readings 2024, Week 20; May 13-19
May 13; 2 Sa 14-15. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 134)
1. 2 Sam. 14;
What was the story of Absalom?
2. 2 Sam. 15:30-31; “But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 31 And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
In this event, how did David point to Christ on His way to the cross?
3. 2 Sam. 15:31; “And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
How was Ahithophel a type of Judas Iscariot?
May 14; Ps 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55; 2 Sa 16. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 135)
1. 2 Sam. 16:5; “When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.”
Why did the author of Samuel mention “the family of the house of Saul?”
2. Ps. 3;
What is the relationship between Ps. 3 and 2 Sam. 16
3. Ps. 13; 2 Sam. 16;
Did the LORD hear David’s prayer and save him from the hands of Absalom? Please refer to Ps. 13:5.
May 15; 2 Sa 17-18; Ps 26. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 136)
1. 2 Sam. 17;
How did God turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness?
2. 2 Sam. 18;
How did God save David from Absalom?
3. Ps. 26;
In Psalm 26, David prays for God to save him from Absalom. What is the relationship between Psalm 26 and 2 Sam 17-18?
May 16; Ps 40, 58, 61-62, 64; 2 Sa 19. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 137)
1. 2 Sam 19;
David the father grieves his son Absalom. How is this story point to God the Father who grieve for the lost?
2. Ps. 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
How does this passage reflect David’s praise after God saved him from Absalom?
3. Ps. 62;
How does Ps. 62 reflects the relationship between David’s prayer and God’s answer when He saved him from Absalom?
May 17; 2 Sa 20-21. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 138)
1. 2 Sam. 20:1-2; “Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, “We have no portion in David and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel! So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.”
Why was it essential for the author of Samuel to mention that Sheba, the worthless man, was from the tribe of Benjamin?
2. 2 Sam. 20:16-22;
“Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” 20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.”
How did a wise woman save Israel from shed more blood?
3. 2 Sam. 21:1; “Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
Please explain why God brought famine in the days of David.
May 18; Ps 5, 38, 41-42; 2 Sa 22. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 139)
1. 2 Sam. 22:1-51;
Why did David sing this song?
2. Ps. 41:1; “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers him.”
Who is the poor in this Psalm?
3. Ps. 42;
How is this Psalm (Ps. 42) an answer to David’s prayer?
May 19; 2 Sa 23; Ps 57, 95, 97-99. (Bonus Reading, Ps. 140)
1. 2 Sam. 23:18; “Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three.”
Who was Abishai? Who were his brothers? Were they related to David? What did they do for David and Israel?
2. 2 Sam. 23:15; “And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!”
Why was Bethlehem so important to David?
3. Ps. 98:1-3; “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
What kind of salvation was David talking about in this Psalm?