Bible Study Questions for the book of
2 Samuel
- Where is David when Saul is Killed? Who comes to see him? How is the visitor described? What does he do when he sees David? What question does David ask? How does the man respond?
- What does David ask about Saul and his sons? How does the man know? How is this account different than what we read in 1 Samuel chapter 30? Why is this account different? Why would this Amalekite not be mentioned in 1 Samuel?
- What does the man bring back for David? Does this verify his story? What do David and his men do? Why? How long do they fast?
- What does David ask the man? Why should the man have been afraid of Saul? What does David tell one of the young men to do? Why would David do this instead of celebrating the news this man brought?
- What does David say should be taught to the people of Judah? What is the book of Jashar? What does the lament contain? Why should news of Saul's death not be published? How is Saul described in the lament?
- What does God tell David to do? Who goes with him? Where do they settle? What do the men of Judah do? What word does David send to the men of Jabesh-gilead? Why?
- What does Abner do? Why? Is he justified in this action? Why or why not? What territories does Ish-Bosheth rule over? Who follows David?
- What happens at the meeting between Joab and Abner? Who starts the fighting? Who is defeated at this battle? Who chases after Abner? What does Abner tell him to do? What does Abner do when he does not follow his instructions? Who continues to pursue him?
- Why do the men of Judah stop chasing the men of Israel? Where does Abner go? When David musters his men, how many are missing? How many of Abner's men were killed?
- What sons are born to David during the war between the house of Saul and the house of David? What does Abner do during this time of war? Why does he have an argument with Ish-bosheth? What does Abner vow after this quarrel?
- Why does Abner send messengers to David? Why does David send messengers to Ish-bosheth? What does Ish-bosheth do? Who is Paltiel? How does he respond to Ish-bosheth's demands?
- What does Abner say when he meets with the elders of Israel? Why does Abner head out to see David at Hebron? How many men go with him? What does David do for Abner and his men?
- Why would Joab question David's meeting with Abner? What does he accuse Abner of? What does Joab do after he meets with David? What does Joab do to Abner during their private meeting?
- How does David respond when he finds out about Abner's murder? What curse does he pronounce on the house of Joab? What does David command everyone to do? Where is Abner buried?
- Why would David refuse to eat the day they buried Abner? Why are the people pleased when David refuses food? Why do they see David as blameless in Abner's death? What does David say to his servants?
- Who is Mephibosheth? Why is he crippled? Why would this information be provided now? Who murders Ish-bosheth? Who is their father? When do they kill him? How do they kill him? Where do they go after the murder?
- What do the murderers present David with? Why would they think David would be happy with the news? How does David respond? What does David remind them about the man that brought news of Saul's death?
- What does David have his men do to these murderers? Why? Where was the head of Ish-bosheth buried?
- Who comes to Hebron? What do they say about David? Why was his good behavior so important during the reign of Saul? What does David make with the elders? How old is David when he begins his reign?
- Why would there be a distinction between how many years David reigned in Judah and how many he reigned over Judah and Israel? Where do David and his men march to? Who do they fight against?
- What do David's enemies think about his war fighting capabilities? What does David do to them? Where does David take his residence? Why does David become more and more powerful?
- What does King Hiram send to David? What does this prove to David? What does he do when he returns to Hebron? What children are born in Hebron? What happens when the Philistines hear that David has been anointed king?
- What does David ask God about the Philistines? How does God respond? Where does David fight them? What does he rename the place? What does he do with the idols of the Philistines? What does David do when the Philistines spread out in the valley of Rephaim?
- How many men does David assemble? What is their mission? How do they decide to handle this holy item? Why would they not know the proper instructions on how to handle it?
- Who is guiding the cart? Where are they moving it from? What are they doing as they are moving the cart? Why would they be so excited? What happens when the oxen stumble? What happens to Uzzah? Who is David mad at for Uzzah's fate?
- Why does David stop moving the ark? Where does he take it? What happens to the household during its stay? Why does David decide to bring it back again? What is different in how they move the ark the second time? What is David doing?
- Who gets mad at David for this display? What does she say to him? How does David respond? What happens to her?
1. Who is Nathan? What does David tell him? Why would Nathan think that David’s plan is a good one? Why does God forbid David from taking on this task?
2. What promise does God make to David? Why? What does He promise the Israelites? How long will David’s dynasty last? What does God promise NOT to do with David’s descendants?
3. How does David respond when he hears from Nathan? What do we learn about his faith in God Almighty?
4. Where does David go next? Who does he defeat? What is Metheg-ammah? Who else does David defeat? Where does this people group trace its lineage to? Who is Hadadezer? Where does David defeat him? What does David take from Hadadezer?
5. Who is Toi? What does he do when he gets word of Hadadezer’s defeat? Why would he send blessings to David? What does David do with the weapons he acquires? How many Edomites does David strike down?
6. How does David reign as king? Who is over the army? Who is the recorder? What role do Zadok and Ahimelech fulfill in the kingdom? What assignment is given to David’s sons? How are their duties different than those of Zadok and Ahimelech? Why?
7. Why is David looking for anyone from the house of Saul? Who is Ziba? How does he wind up in front of David? What information does he give David? Who is Mephibosheth? What does he do when he goes to see David?
8. Why would he be afraid of David? What does David promise Mephibosheth? What does Mephibosheth refer to himself as? What is given to Mephibosheth? What does David command Ziba to do? Where does Mephibosheth eat for the rest of his life? Why are we reminded that he is lame in both feet so often?
1. Who becomes king of the Ammonites? What does David plan to do for this new king? Why? Who does he send to the new king?
2. What happens when they arrive at Ammon? Why do the Ammonite leaders think the king should be wary of David? What do they accuse David of doing? What does the king do with David’s people? Why is this such an insult?
3. What does David do when he finds out what happened with the emissaries? What does he tell them to do?
4. What do the Ammonites do when they find out they are “repulsive” to David? Why would they expect David to have any other response? How many soldiers are assembled by the Ammonites?
5. How does David respond when he finds out about the Ammonite army? Where do the Ammonites march to? Where do the Arameans and the men of Tob and Maacah stay? What does Joab do when he sees enemies to his front and rear?
6. Who is Abishai? What does Joab place under his command? What was the purpose of dividing the troops? How do we respond when we face a problem?
7. Why do they have to remain strong? Who is counting on them? What happens when Joab advances against the Arameans? What happens after this group flees? Why would they lose heart? Where does Joab go next?
8. What do the Arameans do? Who does Hadadezer reach out to for help? Who is Shobach? What does he do? Why would they be so emboldened to go after Israel after such a humiliating defeat?
9. What does David do when he finds out the Arameans have reassembled? How many of the charioteers are killed? How many foot soldiers are killed? What happens to Shobach? What happens when all the other kings realize Hadadezer had been defeated by Israel? Why would the Arameans be afraid to help the Ammonites after this event?
1. When do the kings go out to war? Who does David send? Why does he not go to war with them? Who is destroyed by David’s army?
2. What does David see when he is walking on his roof one night? Why would he be up there to begin with? What does David do when he sees the woman? What does David’s informant report?
3. What does David do when he finds out she is married to a soldier in his army? Why would she be willing to come to the palace? Why should this encounter between David and Bathsheba never have happened?
4. What does David do when he finds out Bathsheba is pregnant? What report does Uriah give David about the war? What does David tell Uriah to do? What does David send with him?
5. Where does Uriah set up camp? What does David do when he finds out Uriah has not gone home? What is Uriah’s answer? What is David’s next move? Why would he think that would work?
6. What does David do when his ruse does not get Uriah to go home? Who is the letter sent to? Who takes the letter? What does it say to do? What does this tell us about Uriah’s trust and faith? What does it tell us about David’s trust and faith? How does Joab respond when he receives word from the king? What does this tell us about Joab’s faith?
7. What happens on the battlefield? Who reports the news to David? What does Joab tell the messenger to say if David is upset about the outcome of the battle? Why would he worry about David’s reaction, considering David is the one that gave the order?
8. What message does David send to Joab after receiving the news? What order does he give Joab regarding the city they are fighting against?
9. What does Bathsheba do when she finds out her husband is dead? What happens after her time of mourning? Why would David think that this made everything okay? Why would the author let us know that “God considered what David had done to be evil”?
1. Who is Nathan? Who sends him to David? What parable does he tell? How does David respond when Nathan finishes the story? What does he demand from the rich man in the story?
2. How does Nathan let David know the parable is about him? What message does The LORD have for the king? What has God given David? What does God accuse David of doing? What judgment falls on David’s household because of his sin?
3. What will happen to David’s wives? How does David respond when Nathan finishes delivering God’s message? How does Nathan comfort David after he gives his confession?
4. What will happen to the baby Bathsheba gave birth to? How does David respond to this news? How long does the baby live? Why are David’s people afraid to tell him about the fate? Why does David get up and eat when he learns the baby is dead? Why would that confuse his servants?
5. Who is born when David comforts Bathsheba? Who loves him? Who brings a message to the baby? Why is the name Jedidiah given?
6. What happens to Rabbah? What message does Joab send to David? Why is the capture of the water supply so important?
7. What does Joab tell David to do? If he does not follow Joab’s orders, what will happen? Why would this be an issue for David? What does this tell us about David’s absence from the battle line?
8. What does David do? Where does he go? How much does the crown of the Ammonite king weigh? What else does David take? What does he do with the people removed from the city? What do David and his men do when the capture is complete?
1. Who is Absalom? Who is Tamar? How does the author describe Tamar? Why is that significant? Who is Amnon? Why is he frustrated and making himself sick?
2. Who is Jonadab? Why does he question Amnon’s misery? How does Amnon answer? What is Jonadab’s solution to Amnon’s dilemma? What does Amnon request of David as he pretends to be sick? What does David tell Tamar to do?
3. What does Tamar do? Why does Amnon refuse the food when she brings it to him? What does he demand? What proposition does he give Tamar? What happens when she refuses? What does she stand to lose? What does he stand to lose? What does she suggest instead?
4. After Amnon commits this heinous deed, how does he feel about Tamar? Why? What does he tell Tamar to do? Why does she refuse? What does Amnon have his servant do? What is Tamar wearing at the time? What does she put on her head and do to her clothing? Why?
5. What does Absalom do when he finds out? Why would he give this advice? How does David respond when he finds out about what happened to Tamar? How does Absalom respond?
6. Where does Absalom gather sheep shearers? Who does he invite to the sheepshearing? Why does David refuse? When the king refuses to go, who does he request attend? Why would David question this?
7. What does Absalom communicate to his men? Why would the men be afraid to raise a hand against Absalom? What do the rest of David’s sons do when they see Absalom attacked? Why would they be afraid?
8. What news does David receive? How does he respond? Why would the messenger give a false report? Who gives counsel to David? What does he reveal to the king?
9. Where does Absalom go? Why? What do the other sons do when they arrive home? What does this event tell us about God’s pronounced judgment on David in 2 Samuel 12?
1. Who is Joab? What does it mean that the “King’s heart went out to Absalom”? What does Joab do? What story does the woman tell? What does David tell her to do? What promise does he make to her?
2. How does the woman respond to David? What does she accuse David of? Is she justified in her accusations? Why or why not? Why would David think that Joab was behind all this? How does the woman describe David’s knowledge?
3. What order does David give Joab? How does Joab respond? Where is Absalom supposed to go? Where is Absalom not allowed to go? Why? How does the text describe Absalom’s appearance? How many sons does Absalom have? What is his daughter’s name?
4. How long did Absalom live in Jerusalem before going into David’s presence? Who does he use as a mediator between the king and himself? What does Absalom do to Joab’s fields? Why? What happens when Absalom meets with David?
5. What does Absalom do after his meeting with David? Where did he spend his time during the day? Why? When people bring him their problems, what does Absalom tell them? How many years does Absalom do this? What does Absalom request permission from David to do?
6. What does Absalom tell his men to do when he goes to Hebron? How many people did Absalom take with him? Who is Ahithophel? Why is his presence important? What message does David receive? What does David do? Who is left behind to tend the house?
7. Who is Zadok? What does he bring with them during the procession? Why does David send it back? Why does David send Zadok back?
8. Where does David go? What does he do along the way? What does David ask God to do? Who comes out to meet David? What does David tell him to do? Who is entering Jerusalem as David’s spy is entering the city?
1. Who is Ziba? What does he bring to David? Why would he do this? What does David give to Ziba?
2. What happens when David gets to Bahurim? Who is Shimei? What does he call David? What is he so mad about? How does Abishai respond to the treatment of David? How does David respond? Why is he content to endure the abuse?
3. Why would David be unsure of how God will respond to David’s afflictions? As he goes along, what does Shimei continue to do? How are David and his men feeling at this point?
4. Where does Absalom go? What does Hushai say to Absalom when he greets him? Which king is he talking about? What does Absalom ask Hushai? Who is Hushai loyal to? What does he promise Absalom?
5. What does Ahithophel tell Absalom to do? Why? Where does he perform this act? Why? How is Ahithophel’s advice described in verse 23? What does that description mean?
6. What does Ahithophel request from Absalom? How many men does he want to take? Why does he plan to attack now? How does Absalom feel about this plan? Why is Hushai summoned? What warning does Hushai give about David? Why would this make David stronger?
7. What alternative does Hushai propose? What will they do to David if he retreats to another city? Why do the people and Absalom think Hushai’s plan is better than Ahithophel’s?
8. Who does Hushai inform about the plan? What word do they send to David? Who passes the information to Jonathan and Ahimaaz? Who saw Jonathan and Ahimaaz? Who is the siting reported to? Where do they hide?
9. Where is David when Absalom crosses the Jordan? Who had Absalom appointed over the army? Who is he married to? Who comes to greet David when he arrives in Mahanaim? What does he bring David? Why?
1. How does David divide his troops? What does David tell the troops? What would have made him decide to do this? How do they respond? Why do they respond this way? What does David tell them?
2. What does David do by the gate? What does David tell Joab, Abishai, and Ittai? Why would he give them this instruction? Would Absalom have given a similar instruction? Where does the battle take place? How many casualties are reported?
3. What happens to Absalom? Who reports it to Joab? How does Joab respond to the news? What does the man tell Joab? Why would this man be more inclined to follow David’s instructions than Joab? What does the man say about Joab’s loyalty?
4. What does Joab do to Absalom? Why? Who is with Joab? What happens when Joab blows the ram’s horn? What do they do with Absalom’s body? What do they name the pillar Absalom had set up for himself?
5. What does Ahimaaz ask permission to do? What message do they plan to give David? Why will Joab not let them give David good news? Who does Joab send to give David the bad news? Why would he not do it himself?
6. Why does Ahimaaz want to run? Where is David sitting when the watchmen saw the man running alone? What is David’s thought since it is just one man? What does David think when he hears about the second runner? Why would David believe that Ahimaaz is bringing him good news?
7. What does Ahimaaz tell David? How does he present the news? What is David’s first question? Why? What does Ahimaaz tell him? What does the Cushite tell David? What question does David ask him?
8. How does the Cushite respond to David’s question? What happens when David learns the fate of Absalom? Where does he go? What does he say?
1. What is reported about David after he learns of Absalom’s death? Why do the troops mourn? Why do they return to the city quietly? What does David do as they are returning? What does Joab accuse David of doing? Why is Joab so upset with David?
2. What does Joab tell David to do? What will happen if David does not obey? Where does David go? Why? Who comes out to meet him? What are the other Israelites doing at this time? Why are they confused?
3. What word does David send to Zadok and Abiathar? Why should they have established David as king quickly? What does David say to Amasa? Why? What happens when David wins back the people of Judah?
4. Who comes to meet David? How many men accompany him? Who else comes to meet David? How many people come with him? What do they bring with them? How do they get the cargo to the king?
5. How does Shimei greet David? Why would he feel the need to beg for this mercy? Why does he think David should be gentle with him? How does Abishai respond to Shimei’s request? How does David answer Abishai?
6. What do we learn about Mephibosheth’s hygiene practices while David is gone? What does David as Mephibosheth when he comes to greet the king? What does Mephibosheth tell David about Ziba? What does he confess Saul’s family deserves?
7. What order does David give about the land between Mephibosheth and Ziba? What does Mephibosheth counter the order with? Why? Who accompanies David to the Jordan? What does David offer him? Why does he refuse?
8. Who does David send to accompany Barzillia? What happens when they cross the Jordan? How many of the troops accompanied David? What do the men of Israel ask David when they suddenly come to him? How do the men of Judah respond? Why do the men of Israel feel they have a larger claim on David than the men of Judah?
