Study Guide Week Two
Message for Sunday August 12, 2018
This Week Reading: 2 Samuel 18:1-5; 15; 31-33 Additional Reading: 2 Samuel 15 and Psalms 3
Introduction
Betrayal is a terrible experience. The Bible records many instances of betrayal. Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples (Luke 22:48). Paul mentions being betrayed by a person on his ministry named Alexander (2 Timothy 4:14-17). In fact one could argue that the whole Bible is the history of mankind's rebellion against God. David experienced the rebellion of his son Absalom and that is the subject of this study. David wrote about his experience in Psalm number 3. The story itself is told in 2 Samuel chapters 15-18. The word betray is defined as mislead, deceive, treachery. Similar words are disloyalty, bad faith, duplicity, deception. Betrayal is made painful by our relationship to the person who betrays us.
Betrayal is a terrible experience. The Bible records many instances of betrayal. Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples (Luke 22:48). Paul mentions being betrayed by a person on his ministry named Alexander (2 Timothy 4:14-17). In fact one could argue that the whole Bible is the history of mankind's rebellion against God. David experienced the rebellion of his son Absalom and that is the subject of this study. David wrote about his experience in Psalm number 3. The story itself is told in 2 Samuel chapters 15-18. The word betray is defined as mislead, deceive, treachery. Similar words are disloyalty, bad faith, duplicity, deception. Betrayal is made painful by our relationship to the person who betrays us.
Some Background Information
At the time of Absalom's betrayal David had been king for many years and was an older man. Understanding the background is very important. David had several wives. Each of the wives had children. David's son Absalom was the son of Maacah who was the daughter of the king of Geshur, a neighboring Kingdom. Absalom's sister was a young women named Tamar. One of Absalom's half brothers was Amnon (the son of David by his wife Ahinoam). Amnon was the oldest of David's sons and the heir to the throne. Amnon fell in love with his half sister Tamar (Absalom's sister) and raped her and disgraced her (2 Samuel 13 tells the story). David did nothing to punish Amnon. Absalom eventually killed Amnon in revenge for his sister's rape. Absalom escaped and found refuge in the kingdom of Geshur for three years. David after a time had him brought back but did not speak to him or see him for two years.
After this time Absalom begin building a rebellion against his father King David. The rebellion was successful and king David and those loyal to him had to flee from the palace in Jerusalem to avoid being killed. That is the point where the scriptures above pick up the story and Absalom's eventual death and David's pain. 2 Samuel 15 verse 22 is a beautiful picture of the dedication and love that David's loyal followers had for King David (for example read what Ittai says in 2 Samuel 15:21).
After this time Absalom begin building a rebellion against his father King David. The rebellion was successful and king David and those loyal to him had to flee from the palace in Jerusalem to avoid being killed. That is the point where the scriptures above pick up the story and Absalom's eventual death and David's pain. 2 Samuel 15 verse 22 is a beautiful picture of the dedication and love that David's loyal followers had for King David (for example read what Ittai says in 2 Samuel 15:21).
Digging Deeper Questions:
1. What kind of betrayals do people experience? Why is betrayal so painful? Have you ever experienced betrayal? .
6. Break Psalm 3 down into parts and discuss each part.
7. What do you take away from this study?
This Week’s Victory Challenge: Look for an opportunity this week to be God's provision for someone who needs support.
6. Break Psalm 3 down into parts and discuss each part.
7. What do you take away from this study?
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