Great People of the Bible Week #8- David

DAVID

When we think of David we think: shepherd, poet, giant-killer, ancestor of Jesus-- in short one of the greatest men in the Old Testament. But alongside that list stands another: betrayer, liar, adulterer, murderer. The first list gives qualities we all might like to have; the second, qualities that might be true of any one of us. The Bible makes no effort to hide David's failures. Yet he is remembered and respected for his heart for God. Knowing how much more we share in David's failures than in his greatness, we should be curious to find out what made God refer to David as "a man after my own heart", (Acts 13:22).

David, more than anything else, had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God. He was a man who lived with great zest. He sinned many times, but he was usually quick to confess. His confessions were from the heart, and his repentance was genuine. David experienced the joy of forgiveness even when he had to suffer the consequences of his sins.

Read 2 Samuel 11:1-15
-According to verse 1, where should David have been?
-How do David's actions (v.2) indicated a lack of anything constructive to do?
-What phrases in verses 2-4 show the progression of David's lust?
-How were David's emotion, mind, and will involved?
-What was the first consequence of David's sin?

Read 2 Samuel 11:6-27
-What steps did David take in attempting to cover up his sin?
-How did David respond to Joab's message?
-How was rationalizing Uriah's death a comfort to David?
-Why does one sin often lead to another?
-What evidence of sin's entrapment have you observed in your life?
-How can an understanding of sin's nature help you resist temptation?

Secure in his cover-up, David married Bathsheba and went about conducting the affairs of the state. Nearly one year passes between the end of chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12.

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-14
-How was the parable of the poor man's lamb appropriate for showing David his sin?
-Why was David's response so strong?
-How did his reaction to the story set him up for Nathan's rebuke?
-List the things that God had done and would do for David. (see verses 7 & 8)
-What was the root of David's sin?
-How did God's two judgments correspond to David's sins of adultery and murder?
-What was the tone and content of David's reply to God's judgment?
-What other emotions do you think David was feeling that are not recorded here?
-Why was his simple reply the best response (see 1 John 1:9)?

Read Psalm 32
-How does David describe the person who is blessed?
-This Psalm was written by David as a part of his struggle with God after the sins recorded in 2 Samuel 11. What did unconfessed sin do in David's life (verses 3 & 4)?
-What happened when David acknowledged his sin?
-What advice and promises are given to the godly (verses 6-10)?
-How does David express his renewed relationship with God?
-Is there some sin that is eating at you right now?
-Can you "shout for joy" right now?
-What can be done to help you "shout for joy"?

Next week = Elijah

*NOTE- Next week's study will not be posted until late on August 3rd or the morning of August 4th as I will not have access to a computer for about a week. May God richly bless you as you study His word!