Chapter Summary

Three years famine. Saul's sons slain. War with Philistines.

Discussion Questions for 2 Samuel, Chapter 21

1. When faced with continual famine and suffering in his land, who did David turn to? Do you seek after God when times get tough, or are you more likely to look to yourself for a solution? Why?
2. According to this chapter, there had been famine in the land for three years at this point. Do you think this was the first time David cried out to God for help? If it was, what might have kept him from doing so earlier? If it was not, why might God have remained silent for those three years?
3. Did David show any hesitation when the Lord answered? Was he reluctant to do what it took to regain favor with God? Do you see this willingness in the church today? Why do you think people hesitate when the Lord makes his desire or will clear to them?
4. Consider the term "bloodguilt" in verse 1 (ESV). What do you think it means in this context? Is this a concept which still exists today? Why or why not?
5. Do you think it was fair that God required David to fix a problem which had been Saul's doing, not his own? Why or why not?
6. Were the Gibeonites right to ask for the lives of Saul's offspring as payment for injustice done against them? Do you think God approved of this request? If not, why? If he did, does this in any way change your view of God's character? How?
7. Who did King David spare from Saul's offspring, and why? Do you think it was out of compassion or out of obligation that he did this, or both? What makes you think this?
8. Why did Rizpah do what she did in verse 10? Though no emotions are recorded in this account, what do her actions tell us about how she may have felt? How did this impact David? What do his actions tell us about how he may have felt?
9. According to this chapter, when did God start to heal the land from famine? Why might he have waited until then, and not begun the moment that Saul's sons were killed?
10. During the war between the Philistines and Israel, David's men ask him to no longer go into battle with them when he grew weary, lest he "quench the lamp of Israel" (v.17, ESV). What does this imagery imply about how his men viewed their king? In what ways was David a "lamp" to the nation during his reign?

Key Words/Phrase

Recompense (atonement) v. 3.

Characters

God, David, Rizpah, Ishbibenab, Abishai, Sebechai, Saph, Elhanan, Jonathan.

Strong Verse(s)

3, 7.