The 2nd book of Samuel began with the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan and the defeat of Israel reaching David, barely two days after his return to Ziklag from a heart-wrenching rescue of the wives and children of his men, including his own, from the hands of the Amalekites:
(1) Do you think David was totally surprised by the news he heard? Why or why not?
(2) Compare the report brought by the young man in vv. 6-10 with the biblical account of 1 Samuel 31:4-5:
a. Can you tell what their major differences were?
b. In the Biblical account, why did Saul ask his armor-bearer to kill him?
c. Who was this young man who now brought the report to David? Was he one of the uncircumcised? Would Saul, if he was still alive, ask him to kill him?
d. Why did this man tell a different story? What might be his incentive of bringing Saul’s crown and his arm-band to David?
(3) How did David and all his men react to the news? What reasons were given by the Bible?
(4) How did David treat the news bearer? Why? Was David justified in his action?
(5) David then composed a lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan:
a. Why did he call it a “lament of the bow”? (See 1 Chr. 8:40)
b. “How the mighty have fallen” (I): vv. 19-24
- Why did he ask not to spread the news to Gath and Ashkelon, two of the five major cities of the Philistines?
- Why did he curse the mountains of Gilboa? (see v. 6)
- How did he remember the might and bravery of Jonathan and Saul? (vv. 22-23)
- How did he draw some comfort from their death? (v. 23)
- How should the daughters of Israel remember Saul? (v. 24)
c. “How the mighty have fallen” (II): vv. 25-26
- In this section David expressed his grief for Jonathan specifically. What did he remember most about Jonathan?
- How would you describe David’s friendship with Jonathan?
d. “How the mighty have fallen” (III): v. 27
Why did David describe Saul and Jonathan as “weapons of war”?
(6) What might the total defeat of Saul and his army mean for all Israel?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) With the death of Saul:
a. Why didn’t David seize the opportunity to declare himself king over Israel, since everyone in Israel knew he was anointed by the Lord as king over them?
b. Why did he only begin this step toward kingship by going to one of the towns of Judah?
c. Even with this small step, why did he first inquire of the Lord?
d. What kind of an example did David set for us?
(2) As David learned to wait for God’s timing, what happened when he obeyed God’s word to go to Hebron? (v. 4)
(3) Why did David choose to send a messenger to Jabesh Gilead (situated to the east of Jordan)? Do you think it was just a gesture? What might be the significance of his action, now that he was anointed king over the house of Judah?
(4) It appears that after the total defeat of Saul’s army, the Philistines had not moved into many of the towns of Israel. However, with a much weakened Israel and without a king, what should Abner do as the commander of Saul’s army, knowing that God had anointed David and he was now officially anointed king of Judah?
(5) What did Abner do instead? What was his motive?
(6) Now instead of fighting against their common enemy, the Philistines, Israel and Judah fought against one another:
a. How did the preliminary competition before their battle show the character of both Abner and Joab? (As a result, the place where it took place was called the “field of daggers”.)
b. Would you have either of them as your general? Why or why not?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?