Pastor Ralph

Dear Friend, Welcome to the online Bible study forum for the Life of David Bible study. It's exciting to meet other people who are involved in this Bible study. Why don't you check in and share a bit about yourself, and what state and country you are from. Please do NOT include your e-mail address. Be discrete about sharing private things about yourself. Yours in Christ, Pastor Ralph

Q5. (Psalm 32:8-10) How does sin make us stubborn? Why is it nearly impossible to discern God’s will for us when we hold on to unconfessed sin.

Q4. (Psalm 32:2-5) How does self-deceit operate with sin to enslave us? How does confession enable us to get free from sin? Why do we sometimes resist the truth about ourselves? What does it take to get us to see truth sometimes?

Q3. (Psalm 51:16-17) How does one achieve a truly “broken and contrite heart”? What are the earmarks of this condition? How does this differ from “being sorry” for a sin? How does humility relate to this condition?

Q2. (Psalm 51:10-11) In what way can God give us a “pure heart” after great sin? How would you define a pure heart? How does God purify our hearts? How does he purify our minds?

Q1. (Psalm 51:1-9) It seems that in verses 1-9 David emphasizes God’s mercy, his own sinfulness, and the completeness of God’s hoped for cleansing. Is it healthy to dwell on your own sinfulness? Why or why not? Does a person who has sinned greatly appreciate forgiveness more than one who has not? Why or why not?

Q4. (1 Chronicles 22-29) Why do you think David prepares for the temple, even after the Lord refuses to let him build it? How did David cooperate with the Holy Spirit in designing the temple and its worship? How did David’s example in giving motivate others to give?

Q3. (2 Samuel 24:14-25) Why does David choose the punishment of a plague on the people rather than his other choices? David insists on paying Araunah for the threshing floor and the sacrifices. What principle drives this decision? How should this principle guide our own giving to God?

Q2. (2 Samuel 23:1-7) How does David describe himself in verse 1. In what sense was David a prophet? What is the main message of verses 3-7? How can this psalm guide government officials and elected leaders in our day?

Q1. (2 Samuel 22 = Psalm 18) What do you find the most inspiring in the language of this psalm? What encourages you the most? Write down all the various titles and metaphors used of God in this psalm.

Q4. (2 Samuel 16-20) What does this passage teach us about David’s character and faith? What does it reveal about Joab’s character? What kind of faith do you see in Joab? What does this passage teach us about the importance of friends? Is Joab really David’s friend?

Q3. (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle? Why does Joab kill him against David’s orders? How does David’s loud mourning threaten his kingdom? What does this say about his followers’ loyalty? What does it say about David’s faith? About his weaknesses?

Q2. (2 Samuel 16:5-14) Why doesn’t David silence Shimei son of Gera from cursing him? Is this a political decision or a spiritual decision? What does it tell us about David’s faith?

Q1. (2 Samuel 15:14-30) Why does David flee Jerusalem rather than stay and fight? What are David’s emotions during this retreat? Why doesn’t he take the ark with him into exile? Does this exhibit faith, fatalism, or submission? What does this tell us about his faith?

Q4. (2 Samuel 13-15:13) It’s difficult to find positive spiritual lessons in these sad and grim chapters. What negative spiritual lessons do you find?

Q3. (2 Samuel 15:1-6) What are the elements of Absalom’s public relations campaign to win over the people to his side? How effective is it? What should David have done differently? Which of David’s weaknesses does Absalom exploit?

Q2. (2 Samuel 13:39-14:24) Why do you think Joab conspires to get David to bring Absalom home? Why do you think David does not immediately show Absalom his favor?

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? What are the consequences of David’s inaction?

Q4. (2 Samuel 12:10-14) What punishment does David deserve? What does he get instead? How does this punishment relate to the provisions of the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:14-15? How do David’s sins hurt God’s glory? How do our sins reflect on Jesus Christ?

Q3. (2 Samuel 12:1-10) Why might it be dangerous for Nathan the prophet to confront the king? What device does Nathan employ get the king to listen to him? How does David’s condemnation of the rich man’s greed help him acknowledge and condemn his own actions?

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? What does this teach us about our human condition? What is our problem as humans? How can David ever recover his integrity after this?

Q1. (2 Samuel 9:1-13) Why does David honor Mephibosheth? What does this teach us about David’s character?

Q4. The Davidic kingdom did end in 587 BC – temporarily. How did God fulfill his promises in the Davidic Covenant? In what ways is it fulfilled in Christ?

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?

Q2. (2 Samuel 7:8-13) What are the main promises of the Davidic Covenant? Are these promises conditional or unconditional? Why does conditionality make a difference? Which of these promises is most important to you as a Christian?