Nicolaas A.P. Mostert

Q3. (2 Samuel 15:1-6) What are the elements of Absalom's public relations campaign to win over the people to his side? Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him How effective is it? His retinue projects the intended message: Absalom is a very great and important man! What should David have done differently? Bring Absalom to order. Which of David's weaknesses does Absalom exploit? David who is corrupt and soft because of his wealth, his victories over all his enemies, his absolute power and from his lack of purpose. The once-righteous king has been compromised.

Q2. (2 Samuel 13:39-14:24) Why do you think Joab conspires to get David to bring Absalom home? Joab realizes the importance for a succession plan to be in place, so when David dies there won't be a bloody civil war. Absalom is next in line for the throne and is the logical choice. Why do you think David does not immediately show Absalom his favor? David was mourning over his son Amnon.

Q1. (2 Samuel 13:21-22) Why do you think David doesn't discipline his son Amnon for his sexual assault on his half-sister? David has lost the moral authority he had as the righteous king who loves Yahweh. He can't judge his own son for sexual sins and not judge himself. What are the consequences of David's inaction? His children have neither a consistent role model nor an authority figure by which to guide their own actions.

Q4. (2 Samuel 12:10-14) What punishment does David deserve? To be punish to dead. What does he get instead? David and Bathsheba's son dies. How does this punishment relate to the provisions of the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:14-15? He will be punish accordingly as a father punish his son. How do David's sins hurt God's glory? David is the man after GOD heart, to do such things break GOD's heart. Although David has repent for the sin his has done, still people see it other wise. How do our sins reflect on Jesus Christ? Our actions reflect on the Lord we claim to serve. One of the reasons that so many people are closed to the gospel in our day is because of hypocritical actions by church people. By our lives we have brought "utter contempt" on Jesus.

Q3. (2 Samuel 12:1-10) Why might it be dangerous for Nathan the prophet to confront the king? David as king has the authority to kill Nathan. What device does Nathan employ get the king to listen to him? Nathan sets up the comparisons: The rich man (David), who has numerous cattle (wives), takes the only lamb (Bathsheba) of the poor man (Uriah). How does David's condemnation of the rich man's greed help him acknowledge and condemn his own actions? Because of David's that was righteous, it was easy for him to judge the event. As David has said, surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity. When realized this related to him condemn his own action.

Q2. (2 Samuel 11) How can a "man after God's own heart" do something so ugly, so despicable as this -- first adultery and then murder by proxy to cover it up? David was overtaken by **** that he cannot control. In GOD's eyes **** is a sin. What does this teach us about our human condition? Don't let your ****, your temptations over rule your. What is our problem as humans? The human challenge is about me and me alone. How can David ever recover his integrity after this? GOD knew what he has done, his palace members knew it, his integrity is in vain. Although he repent for his wrong doing to GOD, the people will have anther perception of him.

Q1. (2 Samuel 9:1-13) Why does David honor Mephibosheth? David's love for Jonathan and his honor in keeping the covenant he has made with Jonathan. What does this teach us about David's character? David is sincerely toward what he portray.

Q4. The Davidic kingdom did end in 587 BC -- temporarily. How did God fulfill his promises in the Davidic Covenant? An authentic covenant, sealed by God's solemn oath to David. In what ways is it fulfilled in Christ? The fulfillment of the Davidic covenant shall be complete when the angel shall proclaim at the Messiah's coming.

Q3. (2 Samuel 7:14-16) There is a conditional aspect in the Davidic Covenant -- that God will discipline David's descendants when they sin. How did God discipline David and his descendants? The chastisement came in the form of family problems and suffering from a coup by his son Absalom.

Q2. (2 Samuel 7:8-13) What are the main promises of the Davidic Covenant? A great name"...Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth." A secure homeland for his people "And I will provide a place for my people Israel." Peace "I will also give you rest from all your enemies." Are these promises conditional or unconditional? Unconditional, because what ever happen the promises will be fulfil. Why does conditionality make a difference? You must do this for this to be fulfil. Which of these promises is most important to you as a Christian? Av Everlasting Kingdom.

Q1. (2 Samuel 7:1-7) Why is Nathan so quick to give David approval to build the temple? Nathan, was well aware of the spiritual anointing upon David. What should have Nathan done instead? Nathan was suppose to seek GOD's presence and will to hear what GOD wants to say. What is the danger of leaders and followers too quickly approving major spiritual directions without really waiting upon the Lord? They speak in the flesh, that can have dangerous consequences. David's heart is partly right about building the temple though. Which part does David have right? David loves the Lord and want to be in HIS presence.

Q4. (2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23) What has happened to Michal that she is so bitter at David? For years she had been the wife of Paltiel, one of Saul's supporters and a fellow Benjamite. Paltiel obviously loved her deeply, for when she was to be returned to her legitimate husband, David, Paltiel "went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Though she had been David's first wife, by the time Michal was returned, she seems to have been David's seventh wife in terms of status and all the rest bore him children! How does her bitterness cause her to misjudge what she sees? She despised David in her heart. Are you bitter towards God about something in your past? No, to GOD all the glory. What effect might it have on your spiritual life? When you bitter against GOD, you start building a wall between you and GOD, or dig the trench wider and wider between you and GOD. How can you find healing from the bitterness? Open your heart before GOD, HE is the only ONE that truly knows your heart. What would have happened if David had conformed his worship expression to his wife's preferences? David will shut the door Infront of GOD's face.

Q3. (2 Samuel 6:14, 22) How would you describe David's approach to worship? By wearing a linen ephod while danced before the LORD with all his might. What does his dancing here teach us? He is joyful in worship of his God What do we learn about praise from the psalms he wrote? The Psalms were not designed to be read silently, but to be sung out, at the very least, to be read aloud. The Psalms are designed to help us experience praise, to enter into it ourselves. Does what others might think affect your ability to worship? No, even if I'm the only one who lift my hands in praise to my KING. How has God been working in your life to teach you to worship him in spirit and in truth? Don't look at others, don't listen to others, when you come to GOD it is and individual matter, a personal matter, and GOD's matter is my heart towards HIM.

Q2. (2 Samuel 6:11-13) How should the ark have been transported? No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before him forever. How are Uzzah and David responsible if they don't know the provisions of the Mosaic Law? Instructions for carrying the ark are found several times in the Pentateuch. What does David's mistake in this incident teach us about seeking to do God's will? Makes sure to do God's will in God's way.

Q1. (2 Samuel 6:1-10) Why does God strike Uzzah? Uzzah has reached out and took hold of the ark of GOD, because the oxen stumbled. GOD strike Uzzah because of this irreverent act. Why is David so angry? The men of Beth Shemesh for looking in the ark the LORD's, the wrath had broken out against Uzzah. This recalls the severe punishment upon them.

Q3. (2 Samuel 5:17-25) Why does David inquire of the Lord before he attacks the Philistines the first time? David always inquirers by the LORD when he wants to do such things and this time his enemies was a combined armies of the five Philistine city-states that wants to destroy him. What would have happened if he thought he knew how to attack the Philistines, and didn't inquire of the Lord the second time? They would differently destroy David, but GOD give David specific instructions how and when to attack. Why do we often want to figure out the process so we can act independently, rather than wait on God as a way of life? Because we set our mind on the thing on earth instead of on things that is above. What does that say about God? ALWAYS RIGHT and at the RIGHT TIME. What does that say about us? Focus on the things that is above.

Q2. (2 Samuel 5:1-5) Approximately how long has it been since David had been anointed king by Samuel? (See Appendix 4. Chronology of the Life of David.) It has been at least 15 years since David has been anointed by Samuel. Why did the fulfillment of God's word take so long? David was always on the run and he constantly seek GOD's face to guide him. When the time was right "Finally, it is time for God's plan for David to be king to come to pass." How would you evaluate David's patience concerning this prophecy that he would be king? Exceptional good, David didn't even chase the day for his kingship. He left everything even timing in GOD's hands. How would you measure your own patience concerning what you believe God has promised you? Yes sometimes short of patience but then relies GOD's time is not my time and that GOD's time is always perfect.

Q1. (2 Samuel 3:22-39) Why does Joab slay Abner? In revenge for his brother Asahel's death Is he justified in doing so? No. This is not a righteous avenging, this was in peace time. This is the equivalent of stabbing a person in the back without warning. How does this affect his king's unification plans? David publicly disassociates himself from it, and pronounces a terrible curse upon Joab and his descendants. Why do you think Joab is so blind? But all Joab is able to see is that Abner has killed his brother, and seeks revenge when he gets a chance. How can our spiritual blindness get in the way of God working out His plan in our lives? When your mind is set on things, not concerning GOD.

Q3. (2 Samuel 1:19-27; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14) David is gracious in his memorial psalm. How does he remember Saul's life? O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. 25 How the mighty have fallen in battle! How does the Chronicler remember Saul's life? Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. How do you think God evaluates Saul's life? So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. What do we learn from this? When GOD entrusted you with something, never ever disappoint GOD you will come short. Put your everything into GOD as David has done and GOD will lift you up in due time.

Q2. (1 Samuel 30:6) From the Psalms of David, how does David seem to strengthen himself in the Lord when things are going bad? David is seeking to enter into a calm, quiet, reflective, receptive state and praise the name of GOD. David speak mostly to his inner man his soul to praise GOD. What devotional exercises does he adopt? David doing this very thing. What is the focus of his faith? To receive refreshing from the Lord after a big emotional and spiritual blow.

Q1. (1 Samuel 30:1-6) Why do the men blame David? If David hadn't made them go north with the Philistine enemies, they would not lost everything that is dear to them. Why is the situation so explosive at this point. What does David do in the situation? The men were exhausted and beside themselves with exhaustion and grief. David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. What is David feeling? David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him. Why doesn't he act immediately? He is singing quietly to himself and to the Lord.

Q4. (1 Samuel 28:7-14) Why do you think God condemns occult practices of communicating with the dead and channeling spirits of the dead? GOD created us to communicate with HIM. God forbit that we must have other gods. How might such practices open Christians to victimization and oppression by evil spirits? This works through a medium, when you consult such thing you open up for evil spirits to get hold of you. This can harm you spiritually. What should you do if you've been involved in such practices in the past? You have to repent before God and ask forgiveness.

Q3. (1 Samuel 25) What do we learn about David's character in this incident with Nabal and Abigail? David angrily commands his men, and he takes 400 of his men to slaughter Nabal and plunder all that he has. What do we learn about Abigail's character? She prostrates herself at David's feet and makes abject apologies for her husband's foolish insult. Nabal's character? Nabal answers rudely and insulted David. Why do you think this story was included in 1 Samuel? So that David could be settle before his kingship. What important knowledge does it add to our understanding? Although David had married Abigail, Abigail was a widow and to married two wife it was legal that time.

Q2. (1 Samuel 24:12) How do we apply the principle of not lifting a hand against the Lord's anointed in our day? As David has refused to lift his hand against the Lord's anointed, we need to show respect for the office, even if the people who fill the office are imperfect. What provisions are there in 1 Timothy 5:19-20 for calling leaders to account. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. What do you think God will do to those who slander, persecute, and martyr his appointed leaders? GOD warns them, if lifted the hand GOD will punish them.

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance? Because of the profound respect that David has for Yahweh, the fear of the Lord. For David, rebellion against Saul is tantamount to rebellion against the Lord himself who has anointed Saul. What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? The LORD give Saul into their hands "I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish." What is David's rationale for sparing Saul? For David, rebellion against Saul is tantamount to rebellion against the Lord himself who has anointed Saul. What does this tell us about David's character? He is loyal till death. About his faith? David calls upon Yahweh's justice to prevail. What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul? Very much influenced on his men.