February 4, 2024 – 2 Samuel 15 – 17

Lesson Date: February 4, 2024

Focal Scripture Passage: 2 Samuel 15:1-6, 10-16; 16:15, 20-22; 17:22, 24-25

AIM: To lead students to discover more costs of David’s sins and the ultimate cost for those who don’t repent and place their faith in Jesus, and to encourage any who have never trusted Christ for salvation to do so.

Before class: Read the notes on 2 Samuel 14 – 17 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Get enough copies of the “Prophecies of the Costs of David’s Sins” handout for your anticipated attendance.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Ask: “Have you ever bought anything on credit?” (they probably have).  Tell the students that credit can be a valuable tool, especially for large purchases.  Explain that by using credit, we can buy something now, but spread the cost over an extended period of time.  Ask: “How often do the bills come for something we buy on credit?” (every month).  Tell the class that when we buy something on credit we make a one-time purchase, but keep paying the cost of that purchase every month.

Ask: “Have you ever bought something on credit, but later regretted making that purchase?” (they probably have).  Ask: “Did your regret stop the bills from coming?” (no).  Tell the students that regardless of how much we might regret the purchase, we must keep paying the bill every month until we either sell the item or pay it off.

Tell the students that the title of today’s lesson is More Costs of David’s Sins.  Tell them as we continue to study the life of King David, we will discover that the costs of his sins kept coming, regardless of his sorrow and regret.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the class that we are studying the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel.
   • Ask everyone to turn to 2 Samuel 11, which we studied three weeks ago.
   • Ask: “What happened in that chapter?” (King David stole another man’s wife and had that man killed).
   • Ask: “Two weeks ago we studied 2 Samuel 12; what happened in that chapter?” (the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sins).
   • Tell the students that David confessed His sins and God forgave him and spared his life, but also told David there would be ongoing costs for his wicked sins.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson from 2 Samuel 13 about?” (The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree; we learned that David’s sons imitated his sinful behavior).
   • Give everyone a copy of the “Prophecies of the Costs of David’s Sins” handout, and read the first prophecy from 2 Samuel 12:10.
   • Ask: “What was the first fulfillment of that prophecy?” (David’s son Absalom murdered his brother Amnon).
   • Ask everyone to write that on their handout.
2. Absalom Stole the Hearts of Israel.
   • Remind the class that after murdering his brother Amnon, Absalom fled to Geshur (locate on the Map) where he stayed for three years (2 Sam. 13:37-38).
   • Explain the following:
     • In chapter 14, David’s general Joab devised a scheme to convince David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem.
     • Joab brought Absalom back, but David refused to see him for two full years.
     • Finally, Joab persuaded David to see Absalom.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Samuel 15:1.
   • Ask: “What was the first thing Absalom did after supposedly ‘reconciling’ with his father?” (he prepared chariots, horses, and fifty men to run before his chariot).
   • Explain that these things were the trappings of a king (1 Sam. 8:11), which Absalom used to make himself look like a king.
   • Read 2 Samuel 15:2-5.
   • Ask: “According to verses 2-3, what did Absalom do every day?” (he stationed himself beside the city gate where he rendered judgments favorable to those who came to him; he also planted seeds of disrespect for King David, noting that the king had not appointed anyone to hear complaints and render judgments).
   • Ask: “In verse 4, what did Absalom promise if he was the king?” (justice for everybody).
   • Ask: “According to verse 5, how did he treat everyone?” (he embraced and kissed them like a politician trying to win votes).
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Samuel 15:6.
   • Ask: “What was the result of Absalom’s clever actions?” (he stole the hearts of the men of Israel).
   • Summarize: Just as David schemed and used clever methods to steal Uriah’s wife and take his life, Absalom stole the hearts of Israel away from David.
3. Absalom Rebelled Against His Father.
   • Tell the students that in verses 7-9 Absalom shrewdly got his father’s approval to leave Jerusalem and go to Hebron (locate on the Map).
   • Read 2 Samuel 15:10-12.
   • Tell the class that Absalom sent spies to all the tribes of Israel.
   • Ask: “What message did they carry throughout the land?” (when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they would know that Absalom was reigning as king in Hebron).
   • Explain that Absalom took 200 hand-picked soldiers (verse 11) and one of King David’s counselors (verse 12) with him to Hebron.
   • Ask: “What does the last part of verse 12 reveal about Absalom’s rebellion?” (it grew very strong because more and more people joined the conspiracy to overthrow King David).
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Samuel 15:13-16.
   • Explain that a messenger brought news of Absalom’s rebellion to David, who immediately fled from Jerusalem, taking his family, servants, loyal soldiers, and advisors with him.
   • Ask: “According to verse 16, who did David leave behind?” (ten of his concubines, whom he left to take care of the palace).
   • Ask everyone to look at their handout again, and read the second prophecy (2 Samuel 12:11a) to the class.
   • Ask: “How was that prophecy fulfilled?” (David’s son led a rebellion, trying to overthrow David and claim his throne).
   • Ask everyone to write that on their handout.
   • Summarize: Because of David’s sins and just as God promised, Absalom led an evil rebellion against David from within his own family.
4. Absalom’s Disgraceful Behavior.
   • Explain the following:
     • David sent some loyal friends back to Jerusalem to function as spies.
     • In chapter 16, Mephibosheth’s servant lied about his master, and a man cursed David as he left Jerusalem.
   • Read 2 Samuel 16:15.
   • Explain the following:
     • Absalom and his forces entered Jerusalem.
     • Absalom needed to do even more to strengthen his hold on the throne.
   • Read 2 Samuel 16:20-21.
   • Explain the following:
     • Absalom asked his advisor what to do to make sure everyone knew he was now king in place of his father.
     • Ahithophel advised Absalom to have sexual relations with David’s concubines.
     • It was customary for new kings to claim the harem of their predecessor.
     • This would make a public statement that Absalom was now king and possessed everything that belonged to David.
     • Ahithophel further said all Israel would hear of Absalom’s action, which would show that he was hated by his father, strengthening Absalom’s grasp on the throne.
   • Read 2 Samuel 16:22.
   • Ask: “Where did they set up a tent?” (on the roof of King David’s palace).
   • Tell the class as hard as it for us to believe, Absalom publicly had sexual relations with his father’s concubines.
   • Ask: “Who knew about this disgusting act?” (all Israel).
   • Ask everyone to look at their handout again, and read the third prophecy (2 Samuel 12:11b) to the class.
   • Ask: “How was this prophecy fulfilled?” (Absalom defiled his father’s concubines in a disgraceful public show that he was now the king).
   • Ask everyone to write that on their handout.
   • Summarize: Because of David’s sins and just as God promised, Absalom publicly defiled his father’s concubines.
5. Absalom Pursued David to Kill Him.
   • Explain the following:
     • David and his loyal forces were on the run.
     • To complete his rebellion, Absalom needed to kill David and destroy his forces.
     • One of David’s spies warned him that Absalom and his army were coming.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Samuel 17:22.
   • Tell the students that under cover of darkness, David and his people fled across the Jordan River (locate on the Map).
   • Read 2 Samuel 17:24-25.
   • Explain the following:
     • David and his forces went to Mahanaim (locate on the Map).
     • Absalom and his army crossed the Jordan River in pursuit.
     • Absalom appointed his cousin (David’s nephew) Amasa as commander of his army.
     • The stage was set for a bloody and divisive civil war.
   • Ask everyone to look at their handout again, and read the fourth prophecy (2 Samuel 12:12) to the class.
   • Remind the class that when David sinned with Bathsheba, he tried to keep it secret.
   • Ask: “In what way was that prophecy fulfilled?” (all Israel learned about David’s sins and prepared for a terrible civil war; one man’s sin would cost the entire nation dearly).
   • Ask everyone to write that on their handout.
   • Summarize: Because of David’s sins and just as God promised, David’s sins were exposed to everyone because they led to civil war.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the class that in 1 Samuel and in the first ten chapters of 2 Samuel, everything seemed to be going David’s way:

• God protected, guided, and blessed David.
• God made him king over a united Israel, ruling from Jerusalem.
• The Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem making it the worship center of Israel.
• David had an impressive palace within a fortified city.
• He won military victories and his kingdom grew bigger and stronger.

Tell the students that in chapter 11, however, everything changed.  Ask: “What made the difference?” (sin).  Remind them that the title of today’s lesson is More Costs of David’s Sins.

Direct everyone’s attention again to their handout.  Tell them God made four terrible prophecies concerning the costs of David’s sins, which we have seen fulfilled in this lesson and last week’s lesson.  Ask: “Would you agree that David paid some very high costs for his sins?” (yes).

Tell the class that our sins, like those of David, bear a high price tag.  Tell them there is an old adage that says sin will take you farther than you want you to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.  Stress the fact that our sins bring many painful costs and hurts upon ourselves and upon other people.

Direct everyone’s attention to the handout sheet again, and read John 3:16-18.  Tell the students as terrible as the earthly consequences of our sins are, the worst cost of sin comes when a person never repents or places his trust in Jesus Christ: the cost of that sin is eternal separation from God and torment in hell.  Tell them Jesus said the person who does not believe in Him is already condemned, but anyone who sincerely believes in Him is not condemned and has eternal life.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Encourage any who have never trusted Jesus Christ for salvation to do so now.  Encourage those who already know Jesus to pray for others who may not.  Allow a moment for private prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Tell everyone that we learn from David’s experience that sin is costly.  Tell them we should turn from our sin and avoid sin at all costs.  Offer to speak privately to anyone who may have trusted Christ today or who may have questions about salvation.