Grace Covenant Church
Fall ’01 Family Group
Studying the Life of David
2 Samuel 15,18:1-19:8a
1. Can you think of a mistake that you made
that still affects your life today?
Share.
2. What reasons does Absalom have to be against
his father?
Amnon raped his sister, and David never really addressed the situation. (2 Samuel 13)
He hadn’t seen or talked to his father in five years. (two years of living in the same city)
David had a number of wives and concubines, with numerous children
Succinctly, it would appear that David was a poor father.
Absalom’s circumstances are less than ideal.
Full of ambition, skill and charisma, yet lacking in character or foundation.
Also, Absalom has an anger problem. He holds grudges and has violent tendencies.
(optional) How does the statement “You are responsible for your own
soul” apply in this situation?
The idea is that despite the bad circumstances that surround Absalom, he is responsible for his actions.
We know numerous stories of people who were raised in hardly ideal circumstances and “turned out right”, and we know stories of people who had the best upbringing and “turned out wrong”.
3. In what manner does Absalom go about
becoming king?
He took time to build up his own status (chariots, horses, army)
He uses his strengths and his charm to win people’s hearts.
He relates to people in a way that reduced David’s stature and increased his own.
He was good at winning over the hearts of people (manipulating)
- note: there is no indication that he himself holds on to ideals of justice or that he himself is a caring person
(optional) What negative lessons do we learn about how we treat our
leaders?
If we’re honest, we all have the potential to be an Absalom.
That is, we are often tempted to build our own “kingdoms” (i.e., church, family group, committee, etc.)
But as undershepherds of the church, we’re called to build up our family group in alignment with the course of the church ministry.
4. How does Joab deal with the opportunity
presented to him? (verse 18:9 and following)
Are his actions justifiable?
Joab’s actions are ultra-practical. Absalom is the one who is causing political unrest, and it would be best to “neutralize” him.
It would seem that Joab cannot be bothered with the moral implications of the situation (v14).
Joab’s amoral practicality was what made him perfect to carry out David’s wish to kill Uriah in 2 Samuel 11. Ironically, it’s the same amoral practically that brings about the death of another of David’s sons.
5. For what reasons was David so upset at
hearing the news about his son? (verse 18:32 and following)
Feelings that David experiences:
Remorse – father losing his son
Regret – thinking about his failures as a father
Guilt – knowing that his sins had their part to plan in this tragedy
(optional) How do you deal with feelings of remorse? regret? guilt?
6. Is God present or absent in these
passages? In what manner?
God is holy – sin has its consequences
We’re sinful beings – even David, the man after God’s own heart, had his failing in character
We need help – praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
APPLICATION