A Kingdom on the Verge of Ruin

How does the decline of David's kingdom give us hope about Jesus's future kingdom? Join us this Sunday as we consider the answer from 2 Samuel 14.

Sermon Discussion

1. What is one takeaway from the sermon and one question that you had after hearing the sermon?
2. Read 2 Samuel 14:1, 13, 20. What is Joab worried about? In what way do these three verses help us make sense of this chapter?
3. Read 2 Samuel 14:4–7. Compare the woman’s made up story with David’s predicament with Absalom. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different?
4. Read 2 Samuel 14:21–24. In what way is David’s response disappointing? How is David continuing to neglect the situation? What can we learn from his inaction here?
5. Read 2 Samuel 14:25–27; 1 Samuel 9:2. What are the similarities between Absalom and Saul? How does this serve as a warning for what is to come? Consider 1 Samuel 16:7. What must we keep in mind when interacting with other people?
6. Read 2 Samuel 14:33. What does the repetition of “the king” reveal to us from this verse? How is David’s response yet again a neglect of his responsibility as father and king?
7. Compare 2 Samuel 14:24, 33 and Luke 15:17–24. What is the difference between Absalom and the younger son? What is the difference between David and the father?
8. What type of picture does 2 Samuel 14 give us of David’s kingdom? How does that compare to God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13–14; Hebrews 12:28)?