Rebellion of Absalom: 2Samuel 13-19

2 Samuel 13:1 begins “Now Absalom” — Absalom is going to be the new key player on the stage of David’s life.  The tragic story of Absalom’s rebellion to his father, King David, brings about the fulfillment of God’s judgment that “the sword will never leave his house  (2 Samuel 12:10-12) .”  The sins of David’s sons repeat and magnify David’s sin.  David’s crime was against the wife of a friend.  Amnon sins against a sister.  The consequences of the first were death of a husband and baby.  The consequences of the second was civil war.

David was given the kingship, God’s protection, and great blessings.  But then David took what was not his to take.  Even though David is forgiven, his sin still has consequences. Many people in David’s household, including David himself, are going to suffer.  But there are lessons to be learned as the Lord both teaches and redeems.

Resources: Study Questions, Maps, Outlines & Background

14 2Samuel 13 The rape of Tamar

Even though David is forgiven, his sin still has consequences.  But why do those consequences fall so heavily on Tamar, a seemingly innocent bystander? Teacher: Krisan Marotta on November 30.2016.

15 2Samuel 14 Absalom Returns

The conflict between appearance and reality is the theme of this chapter.  What appears to be wisdom and repentance is not really wisdom and repentance. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on December 7, 2016.

16 2Samuel 15 Absalom’s Conspiracy

What do you do when you fail in a big way and your failure matters? Your mistake has big consequences for other people?  How should you respond? That’s the situation David is facing in our story today. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on December 14, 2016. 

17 2Samuel 16 David flees Jerusalem

Teacher: Krisan Marotta on December 21, 2016. How should you respond when suffering unjustly? As David flees Jerusalem, he is used and abused by two members of Saul’s family.  We can learn from his example how to bear unjust suffering.

18 2Samuel 17 Hushai’s Warning Saves David

As we’ve studied the rebellion of Absalom, we’ve been asking what we can learn about responding when we sin, understanding the discipline of our heavenly father, and how to respond when suffering unjustly.  With 2Samuel 17 we focus on these questions from God’s perspective. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 4, 2017. 

19 2Samuel 18 The Death of Absalom

2Samuel 18 is the climatic battle for the throne.  But instead of highlighting the ferocity of the battle, the spotlight focuses on David’s anxiety over his son, and how the news of Absalom’s death impacts him, especially when he learns that the price of rebellion is the death of his son. It is a price David cannot bear to pay, but it is a price God pays for us. David’s grief gives us a glimpse of the price our heavenly father was willing to pay on our behalf. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 11, 2017. 

20 2Samuel 19 David Restored as Kin

With Absalom dead, Joab blows the trumpet to end the battles and the civil war is over.  Except David is still in exile.   Now we have a guilty nation and a vindicated king, and the question that remains is how to restore the relationship.  How do you approach your king after you’ve been sinful or rebellious? Teacher: Krisan Marotta on January 18, 2017. 

Series 2Samuel: David as King

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