Failed Justice, Inadequate Compassion

How does 2 Samuel 21:1–14 point us to Jesus? Join us this Sunday at CrossWinds Church in Spencer as we consider this challenging text.

Sermon Discussion

1. 2 Samuel 21:1–14 brings up questions of God’s goodness and justice. How would you answer someone who uses this passage as evidence against God’s goodness?
2. What is one takeaway from the sermon and one question that you had after hearing the sermon?
3. Read 2 Samuel 23:3–4. Take a few moments to review the structure of 2 Samuel 21–24. How do these verses provide us with the framework for evaluating these final stories of David’s reign? In light of our sermon series title (“A Better King”), what is 2 Samuel’s main point?
4. Read 2 Samuel 23:1–2; Romans 5:17, 19. Why do the people of Israel suffer for Saul’s sin? What does this reveal to us about the representative role of the king over God’s people?
5. Read 2 Samuel 21:3–6. While David “seeks the face” of God in verses 1–2, what is his error here? What does this reveal to us about the justice of David’s kingdom?
6. Read 2 Samuel 21:10.  What does Rizpah’s mourning reveal to us about David’s attempt to end the famine? Consider the final sentence of verse 14: what finally leads God to end the famine?
7. Read Deuteronomy 24:16; 1 Samuel 24:21–22. What do these two verses reveal to us about David and his obedience to God?
8. Through all this disappointment, 2 Samuel 21:1–14 is meant to leave us with hope and expectation. How does the failure of David point us toward our hope in King Jesus? What will this look like for you this coming week?