Lessons from
the Life of David -- #10
On Raising
Sons
Read
2 Samuel 12:10-12 Nathan the
prophet predicted serious consequences resulting from David’s sin with
Bathsheba. Why should we view these as consequences
of, rather than punishments for David’s sin?
Read 1 Chron
3:1-9 How many sons of David are listed?
In
order of birth, which sons are Amnon and Absalom?
What
might prevent them from becoming close friends, even though they are brothers?
In
what way is David’s wife Maacah different from the other
wives mentioned?
The
problems in David’s family begin. Read 2
Sam 13:1-21
What
might Amnon have used as an excuse for his immoral
behavior?
v
21: David was furious, but what do we
not read about David’s response to his son’s action?
Why
might David have hesitated to discipline his son Amnon?
vv
22,23 Two years pass and Absalom does
not talk to Amnon, but keeps his anger inside. How might David have prevented the murder
which was soon to come?
vv
28,29 Absalom has Amnon
killed. Absalom flees. Compare v 37 with 2 Sam 3:3. To whom did Absalom flee?
vv
38,39 What should David have done after
this that he did not do for three years?
Read
14:1-14 Joab
notices that David longs to see Absalom.
He hires a woman to tell David a story about her two sons, somewhat
similar to David’s situation. A key
principle in the way God deals with his wayward children is stated in v
14. What comfort this verse can give
each of us if we have a child who leaves the church!
Through
this woman, David is brought to understand that he needed to bring Absalom back
to
Did
this produce repentance or rebellion in Absalom? vv 28 - 32
Contrast
David with the father in the parable of the lost son. Luke
v
33 David and Absalom make peace, at
least outwardly.
Read
15:1-12 What
actions of Absalom show that he does not respect his father?
How
long does this go on?
Would
you say that this is common still today, that a father
who does not discipline his children or offer forgiveness for their sinful
actions, can be the cause of their rebellion against him?
vv
13-16 David has to flee
16:21-22 What does Absalom
do? This fulfills Nathan’s prophecy.
The
day finally comes when David has to fight Absalom for the throne.
18:1-18 What orders had
David given regarding Absalom?
Were
these orders followed?
During
the trying times that David was fleeing from his son Absalom, David expressed
the feelings of his heart by writing Psalm 3.
Where does David put his trust during this time of trial?
Do
you think God still puts people in difficult and trying situations today in
order to get them to turn back to him?
Read
1 Kings chapter 1.
When David became too frail to govern effectively, his son Adonijah attempts a coup.
What actions of David could have contributed to Adonijah’s
coup attempt? v
6
How
does this attempt end? vv 42-53
What
does Adonijah later do,
which shows he does not submit to David’s decree?
How
does Solomon deal with him?
David
does, however, give some good advice.
Read his words to Solomon as Solomon becomes king, recorded in 1 Kings
2:1-4 What
attitude does David equate with the phrase “be a man”?
Read
Hebrews 12:7-11 What
good is discipline?
Read
Eph 6:4 In what
ways did David exasperate his children?
The Bible studies on the
Lessons from the Life of David can be found at http:\beaberean.tripod.com\index.htm