It figures…

Today, while at work, I listened to a sermon by a local pastor on Genesis 1. At one point in the sermon he stopped to talk a little about Adam and one of the things he said was something to this effect: “I believe that Adam was the most intelligent man that ever lived. In fact, he was created this way. Why? Because one of the reasons God created Adam was for fellowship, and clearly – at least in a sinless world – if a person were to be in this type of relationship with God, he would have to be of uniquely high intelligence.”

Interesting.

Oh, and did I mention that pastor was a baptist?

Bonus Content:

In regards to baptism, this same pastor talked about a student atheist summer camp where they recently held “de-baptisms” to cleanse young people from their oppressive religious bonds. This really seemed to trouble him. Of course, when baptism is only symbolic, then I suppose a symbolic de-baptism would be pretty devastating. Good thing it’s not.

2 Samuel 19: 16-43

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – What river did David cross?

a) Nile

b) Jordan

c) Euphrates

Katie(6) – How did David treat Shimei for cursing him?

a) He killed him

b) He enslaved him

c) He pardoned him

Molly(8) – Why did Mephibosheth not go with David?

He had been deceived by Ziba

Bonus – How old was Barzillai?

80

Why was Israel upset with Judah?

Because the whole tribe of Judah brought David back over the Jordan, while only half the tribe of Israel got to be a part of his escort, even though there were ten tribes of Israel and only two tribes of Judah. This was an early indication of the strife between Israel and Judah that would eventually result in a split. 

2 Samuel 19: 1-15

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – Where did David take his seat?

a) gate

b) throne

c) temple

Katie(6) – Why was David grieving?

a) he lost the battle

b) his son Absalom died

c) because of his sin

Molly(8) – Who did David make commander of his army?

Amasa

Who’s army had Amasa been commander over?

Absalom’s

Bonus – Why was Joab angry with David?

Because David was grieving over the death of Absalom, even though Absalom had been the enemy. He believed this brought shame upon those who had fought for David, and even suggested that he would not have been as sorrowful had they all died instead. 

2 Samuel 18: 19-33

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – Did Ahimaaz tell David that Absalom had died?

No. He was eager to tell him, but once he finally appeared before David, he chose not to. Perhaps this was wise considering the consequences that befell others who had eagerly reported deaths to David in previous chapters. 

Katie(6) – When David heard of Absalom’s death, was he:

a) happy

b) angry

c) sad

Molly(8) – Who were the two messengers that ran to tell David the news of Absalom’s death?

Ahimaaz and the Cushite

Bonus – Who were the other two deaths we read about during David’s reign where a messenger was eager to tell David the news, but were killed for it?

The death of Saul by the Amalakite and the death of Ishbosheth by Rechab and Baanah.

2 Samuel 18: 1-18

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – Did David go into battle with the rest of Israel?

No. David planned on going into battle – which contrasts with 2 Samuel 11 – but his men feared for his safety and requested that he stay at the gate. 

Katie(5) – How did David tell his men to treat Absalom?

a) harshly

b) gently

c) justly

Molly(8) – How did Absalom die?

His head got stuck in a tree’s branch as he was riding his mule and Joab and his armor-bearers killed him. 

Bonus – What was the name of the pillar that Absalom had set up?

Absalom’s Monument. Absalom had set up a pillar for his honor, but died a traitor’s death. 

2 Samuel 17: 1-29

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – Where did Jonathan and Ahimaaz hide from Absalom?

a) cave

b) well

c) woods

Katie(5) – Who’s counsel did Absalom follow?

a) Ahithophel

b) Hushai – Remember, in chapter 15, David had prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel would be turned to foolishness. 

Molly(8) – What did Ahithophel do when his counsel was not followed?

He hung himself. While the Bible does not specify why, most likely it was because he was so ashamed that his counsel was not followed that he killed himself, or he realized what the outcome was going to be and thought that because of his betrayal he would die anyways. 

Bonus – Where did David lead his people after he learned of Absalom’s plan?

Across the Jordan river.

Where were they when Shobi, Machir and Barzillai brought them food?

In the wilderness.

What does this remind us of?

Israel’s exodus from Egypt.

2 Samuel 16: 1-23

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – What did Shimei throw at David and his servants?

a) dirt

b) stones

c) bread

Katie(5) – Who met David and brought him donkeys and food?

a) Shimei

b) Abishai

c) Zima 

Molly(8) – What did Ahithophel instruct Absalom to do once he entered Jerusalem?

To lay with King David’s concubines that he had left behind. He did this before all of Israel as a sign that he intended to take David’s place as king of Israel. 

Bonus – Shimei was right that David was being judged because he had blood on his hands, but it wasn’t because he had killed Saul, as Shimei claimed. Whose blood was on his hands?

Uriah. David had ordered Uriah to the frontline so that he would be killed in battle.

2 Samuel 15: 13-37

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – Did David flee the city when found out Absalom was coming after him?

Yes

Katie(5) – What did David tell Zadok the priest to do with the ark of the covenant?

a) Take it with him

b) Take it back to the city – David rightfully did not treat the ark as if it were magical, which is the opposite of how the Israelites treated the ark in I Samuel 4.

c) Hide it

Molly(8) – Where was God worshipped?

The Mount of Olives, on the summit.

Bonus – How did David fight back against Absalom?

He used deception by planting spies and having them pretend to be on Absalom’s side. 

2 Samuel 15: 1-12

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – How many men did Absalom make run before him?

a) 10

b) 50 – Samuel predicted this would happen in I Samuel 8:11

c) 100

Katie(5) – How did Absalom win the hearts of Israel?

a) by honoring his father, King David

b) by giving them justice

c) by promising justice – perhaps he was focused on the idea of justice because he felt his father did not act justly after Amnon had violated his sister, but Absalom only promised justice, and like most of the kings of Israel to follow, never fulfilled his promises.

Molly(8) – What were the people to say when they heard the trumpet?

Absalom is king at Hebron

Bonus – Who else was anointed king at Hebron?

David

Who’s grandfather was Ahithophel?

Bathseba

2 Samuel 14: 1-33

Questions for Family Worship:

Lucy(3) – Was the wise woman of Tekoa really mourning, or was she pretending?

Pretending

Katie(5) – How is Absalom described?

a.wise

b. handsome

c. righteous

Who else is described as “no one was as handsome as he?”

Saul. While other men (including David) are described as handsome, the same phrase is used of Saul that is used of Absalom. Perhaps this is to remind us that Absalom was to be like Saul (who fell away) instead of his father David. We’re also told that Absalom took glory in his hair. This is probably in reference to his vanity, but may also be a foreshadowing of his death in a later chapter.

Molly(8) – How did Absalom get Joab to come see him?

He had his servants set Joab’s fields on fire. This is more proof that Absalom is not a righteous man. 

Bonus – What was the name of Absalom’s daughter?

Tamar – just like his sister who was violated. 

What other story does the wise woman of Tekoa’s story remind us of?

Nathan’s story of the rich man and poor man after David had murdered Uriah. Both stories served to draw a reaction from David and show him the folly of his actions.