2 Samuel 17 Hushai's Counsel

Key Events:

1. Ahithophel gives counsel to Absalom.  He offers to pursue David and kill him, bringing back the rest of the people to serve Absalom.
2. Absalom seeks advice of Hushai on the matter and gets a contrary counsel.  Hushai suggests David is too smart to be caught.  He is a warrior with the heart of a lion. Better to gather all Israel along with Absalom to pursue David and his men.  
3. David gets warning from Hushai of the plot.  He finds refuge in the well of a maidservant.  They all escape safely.  
4. Ahithophel commits suicide after his counsel was rejected.
5. David and followers find safe harbor with a sympathizer in Mahanaim. 

Discussion:

1. What appears to be the motivations of Ahithophel?
2. Comment on the role of Hushai in this chapter. What are his motives?
3. Who is "winning"?
4. What can we learn from this story  ... of lost followership to David as a king? ... The persecution of David by his own son?  ... The reactions of David in times of crisis? ... The responses of those in his inner circle in a time of crisis? 
5. Where is God in this story?

2 Samuel 16 Ziba, Shimei, and Absalom

Key Events:

1. Ziba brings supplies and food to David.  David awards Ziba all the property of his master, Mephibosheth. 
2. Shimei (from the house of Saul) follows David, casting stones and cursing him.  David ignores him and spares his life.
3. Absalom questions loyalty of Hushai.
4. Ahithophel gives Absalom counsel to sleep with the concubines of David in public.

Discussion:

1. Who is Mephibosheth and why would David give his servant his property?
2. Explain the audacity of Shimei towards David.
3. How does David again demonstrate he is "a man after God's own heart"?
4. What is the significance of Ahithophel's advice to Absalom?

2 Samuel 15 Absalom's Rebellion

Key Events:

1. Absalom positions himself as sympathetic to the people and steals their hearts.  
2. After 4 years of this and isolated from David, Absalom goes to Hebron and asserts himself as king in the presence of Ahithophel, David's counselor.
3. Hearing the news, David flees the city with his wives and servants.  He leaves his concubines to keep the house.  They weep along the way up to Mount Olivet.  
4. David instructs that the ark of God be returned to Jerusalem along with the priests.  He places his trust in the Lord to restore his position of leadership.  
5. David asks God to turn the counsel of Ahithophel to foolishness.
6. At the top of the mount where he worshipped God, Hushai is instructed to return to the palace and counter the counsel of Ahithophel.  The priests, Zadok and Abiathar, are to serve as messengers to David.

Discussion:

1. What behaviors do you see qualifies David as "a man after God's own heart"?
2. What is Absalom's motivation to rebel against his father and seize the throne?  Why Hebron?
3. Comment on the changed loyalty of Ahithophel from David to Absalom.
4. Why is there weeping and mourning as they flee Jerusalem?
5. If David is running away, why does it seem that he is still in authority as king?
6. What does it say of the nation of Israel that their hearts were turned away from God's anointed?