Weekly Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 15 - 19

• Day 1: 2 Samuel 15:1-37
Day 2: 2 Samuel 16:1-23
Day 3: 2 Samuel 17:1-29
Day 4: 2 Samuel 18:1-33
Day 5: 2 Samuel 19:1-43

Bible Study: 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Topic: David Mourns for Absalom

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Have someone tell the story or paraphrase the passage in their own words.
• Have someone read the story or passage from the Bible.
• Check to see if anything was left out of the sharing of the story/paraphrase.
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DISCUSSION:

• What is one of the worst decisions you have ever made and what regrets did you have over this decision? How did you handle these regrets?

• In our story, why is David weeping and mourning in spite of the great victory his army had just experienced? In what ways was David continuing to suffer the painful consequences of his sinful decision with Bathsheba?

• Why do you think Absalom chose to rebel against his father? It is obvious David still loved Absalom, but why do you think they could never reconcile their differences? How might David’s immense sorrow have been avoided if he and Absalom had practiced the traits of humility and forgiveness?

• David’s deep cry, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son,” is likely a cry of loss and regret (v. 4). How can we avoid such painful regrets related to our own families? Perhaps David thought he had more time, but why is procrastinating to reconcile broken relationships an attitude to change?

• Who was Joab and what point of contention did he raise with David? Do you think he was being insensitive or did he have a valid point? Why or why not?

• When we are self-absorbed with our own hurts and pains, why is it important to have someone like Joab in our lives? Why must we sometimes play the role of Joab in someone else’s life? How did David respond to Joab’s counsel?

• Even when we are overcome with our own troubles, why must we continue to be considerate of others who love us?

• If you have a severed relationship with a friend or a family member, what first step could you take toward reconciliation? When should you take this step?
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Prayer: Let’s pray for one another today to always be willing to take the first step toward reconciliation in a broken relationship.