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Weekly Guide：Week 56
January 31, 2021
Week 56 Day 1: Returned by Mercy ⇧ ⇩
Question
What did David do after he had gone back to Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David sunk deep into the sorrow of losing Absalom. Joab warned David of calamities if the people were not comforted.
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All Israelites were arguing amongst themselves to bring David. However, David sent for the priests to ask the Judah elders to bring him back and made Amasa in place of Joab as the commander of army to win over the heart of Judah. This brought about discontentment of the Israelite tribes which indirectly caused Sheba’s unrest and Joab’s murder of Amasa.
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Shimei went to David and fell prostrate before him to ask for clemency. David refused Abishai’s request to put Shimei to death and vowed that Shimei would not die. Mephibosheth came and told David that Ziba slandered against him. David did not scrutinize Ziba’s motive nor did he ask him to return the land. David only asked Ziba and Mephibosheth to divide the land. Barzillai came to David to send him on his way. Barzillai refused David’s invitation to go to Jerusalem but sent Kimham to go with David.
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David sent Amasa to summon Judah to put down Sheba’s unrest but Amasa delayed his return. David sent Abishai to pursue Amasa. Joab went and killed Amasa then led his troops and killed Sheba.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - It was God’s mercy that David was able to return to Jerusalem. Did David rely on God? Is there evidence of interaction between David and God in these two chapters? How am I being reminded? David went for the support of Judah, his own tribe, but what was the consequence? Have I leaned on the power of the world more than God?
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Integrity - Did David truly forgive Shimei? (see 1 Kings 2:8-9) What might be the reason he forgave Shimei at this time? Was David’s treatment to Mephibosheth befitting to God’s will? Mephibosheth was misunderstood but remained loyal to David. How does this remind me when I’m being misunderstood?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 56 Day 2: Sin of Past ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did David inquire of God to release Israel from Saul’s past sin?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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There was a three-year famine during David’s reign. David inquired of God and was told that Saul put the Gibeonites to death by breaking the oath Israelites had made to them.
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By Gibeonites’ demand, David gave them seven descendants of Saul to be killed. David spared Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth for his oath to Jonathan.
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David heard that Saul’s concubine Rizpah was protecting the remains of the seven so he buried them along with Saul and Jonathan.
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Four of the worriers among the men who followed David killed four sons of Philistine giants.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - The root cause of the famine was Saul’s breaking of the oath Israelites made to Gibeonites in God’s name. The famine ended with David breaking the oath he made to Saul and Jonathan in God’s name. Reflecting on God’s faithfulness and righteousness, how should I fear the name of God?
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Integrity - When Abner was in power after Saul’s death, Saul’s concubine Rizpah could only let herself to be trampled upon. But, what courage and love did she display after Saul’s seven descendants were killed by the Gibeonites in revenge? Her deed touched David and reminded him of his promises to Saul and Jonathan. What danger did Rizpah face? How would Rizpah’s courage and love remind me when I face a circumstance where I am innocent and powerless?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 56 Day 3: Adoration and Thanksgiving ⇧ ⇩
Question
Where did David see God’s protections and blessings?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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2 Samuel 22 is David’s thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from Saul and all his enemies. The same song is also recorded in Psalm 18. In the first part, David depicted how God saved him when he faced death from his enemy (22:5-20). In the second part, David described how God’s salvation is based on faith (22:21-30). In the third part, David counted the helps God had given to him (22:31-46)
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2 Samuel 23:1-7 is David’s praising and thanksgiving to God near the end of his life. He realized it was the spirit of God working in him and looked up to God’s everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - Although David had committed many sins in his life, but God still proclaims that David was pleasing to Him. What can I see in David’s heart from his psalms? How did he see God in saving him? How did he see God’s response to those who follow Him? Near the end of his life, how did David see God’s promise in his own life? What is a heart that is pleasing to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 56 Day 4: The Warrior Roster ⇧ ⇩
Question
How does God see the warriors who followed David?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- The roster of the warriors who followed David and some of their accomplishments.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - David was not a “Lone Ranger” but faced the enemy and went to war with many. Do I have any brother or sister in Christ to go fight the war of our lives with? Is there anyone who can pray for me, to encourage and to lift me up?
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Fidelity - What are the commonalities of the warriors on the roster? What can I learn from them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 56 Day 5: Taking a Census ⇧ ⇩
Question
What sin did David commit in his old age?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David ordered Joab to take a census of Israel and Judah.
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David knew he committed great sin and was conscience-stricken after the census was completed.
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David picked plague out of the choice of three disasters. Seventy thousand from Dan to Beersheba died.
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David built an altar for God, sacrificed burnt offering and fellowship offering. The plague on Israel stopped.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - What did David pick out of the three disasters God let him choose from? Why? How do I view God’s discipline?
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Integrity - Why did David take census? What similar mistakes have I done in my life? What does this remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 56 Day 6: Success of Throne ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did Solomon succeed David to become king for he was not David’s first born?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David was very old. Adonijah conspired with Joab and Abiathar in attempt to usurp the throne.
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Nathan the prophet and Solomon’s mother Bathsheba went to David to uncover the conspiracy.
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David took an oath by the Lord to make Solomon king and anointed him in Gihon. David gave a charge to Solomon then died.
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Solomon made Shimei to promise to stay in Jerusalem. Shimei broke the promise and was struck down.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Adonijah attempted to usurp the throne and David had never rebuked him. David did not fulfill his responsibility as a father. He did not discipline his children and got to taste the consequences. For us who are parents, what can we learn from David’s example?
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Fidelity - Right after learning Adonijah’s plan, David acted wisely and fulfilled his promise to have Solomon succeed him to the throne. David was decisive under God’s witness. Likewise, we may be decisive without any doubt if we act in His Name.