Hidden Providence

What can we learn about how God is at work in the world from the seemingly ordinary events of Ahithophel and Hushai before Absalom? Join us this Sunday at CrossWinds Church in Spencer as we consider the answer from 2 Samuel 17.

Sermon Discussion

1. What is providence? How does God use ordinary events to accomplish his purposes? Do you struggle with the Bible’s affirmation of both divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
2. What is one takeaway from the sermon and one question that you had after hearing the sermon?
3. Read 2 Samuel 17:4–6. Why does Absalom call for a second opinion? What does this reveal to us about how God is working?
4. Read 2 Samuel 15:31–34; 17:7–14. How does God answer David’s prayer through Hushai? How does the second half of this verse “pull back the curtain”? How does it give us comfort when we can’t see how God is at work today?
5. Read 2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34. What do these verses reveal about why Ahithophel may have betrayed David? Was Ahithophel wrong in his anger at David for his actions with his granddaughter? Does that justify his betrayal?
6. Read 2 Samuel 17:23, 27–29; Psalm 2. What are the two responses to King David? What does this tell us about the importance of our response to King Jesus?
7. What is one thing you can put into practice from this text this week?