"Prince of Peace" / 2 Samuel 3:22-39 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verses 21 – 25, it says, "David sent Abner away in peace.” Why is that astonishing? What was the cost of peace?


Why is Joab angry about this? What does he want instead? Is Joab insubordinate in his questions to David? What does Joab suggest Abner's motives really were?


2 – In verses 26-30, Why does Joab murder Abner? What motives might he have that are not stated here? How does David distance himself from Joab's deed?


3 – In verses 31-39, how does David's command to Joab embarrass him? Why is Abner buried in Hebron and not in his hometown?


Why does David weep for Abner after all the harm he has done to David? Why is

Abner's death a cause for national mourning?


4 – How is David, "a prince of peace?" How is he a shadow, or type, of the Prince of Peace to come? Why is peace making so important to Jesus in his church?


What instructions has the Holy Spirit left to us for promoting peace? See Rom 14:19, 2 Cor 13:11, Heb 12:14, James 3:18, 1 Pet 3:10-11 & Eph 2:14.

"Switching Sides" / 2 Samuel 3:1-21 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-7, what examples are given which show David getting stronger? Does the Bible endorse polygamy? Why, or why not?

What example is given of Abner attempting to strengthen his position? What is the problem with his choice? Does Abner have a legitimate claim to rule? Why, or why not?


2 – In verses 8-19, why does Abner respond to being questioned with anger? What does he determine to do? Does he have the ability? The right?

Is he a "king maker?" Does he have the power to make David king over all Israel? What does Abner reveal that he has always known about David?


3 – In verses 20 and following, Why does David welcome and receive Abner when they are not friends, but enemies? Why does he send him home in peace? What has Abner done against David?


4 – How were we once enemies of the rightful king? Why? How has the king received and welcomed us? Why would this infuriate the enemy of our souls? What has happened to change our relationship to the king?

"Politics" / 2 Samuel 2:1-32 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verses 1-7, what was David's first action prior to moving back to Judah? What does this tell us about him? What example does this leave for us?


Why did the men of Judah anoint David their king? How and why did David thank the men of Jabesh Gilead?


2 – In verses 8-11, what was Abner's motivation in resisting David's kingship?


3 – In verses 12-13, what was Abner's motivation for meeting Joab at Gibeon? What was he hoping to accomplish? How?


4 – In verses 14-17, what was the point of 12 men fighting from each side? What was it supposed to accomplish? What happened?


5 – In verses 18-23, why was Asahel chasing Abner? What did he think would happen? Why did Abner repeatedly warn him to stop pursuing him? Why does Joab relentlessly pursue Abner?


6 – In verses 24-32, why does Abner suggest a truce? Why does Joab agree? What is the immediate and long term result of this truce?


7 – Why is every form of human government flawed? Why should we submit to it? Read Mt 22:21, Jn 19:11, Rom 13:1-7, 1 Tim 2:1-3. What is the one form of government that will work? How do we get it? When?

"Martys" / Hebrews 12:1-3 / Hanson Rosenquist

1. What benefit is there in being shown examples of enduring faith from the past?

2. Read Hebrews 10:26-31, 10:37-39, 3:14, Matt. 24:13 and Rev. 14:12. Why is enduring

faith an important topic for the author and professing Christians?

3. What is the difference between weights and sins? What are some examples of both?

4. In Philippians 3:7-4:1, quoted in the sermon, how was Paul an example of laying aside

weights? How did he view the things he laid aside to follow Christ Jesus?

5. What are some examples of people you have known who have laid aside weights and

clinging sin? What did they let go of? What was their motivation? What was the result?

6. What does it mean to look to Jesus? Why should we do that? How would it help us?

7. What does it mean that the Lord Jesus endured the cross "for the joy that was set

before him"? What joy? How does this help us to not grow weary and discouraged?

8. What weights and sins are you going to lay aside to follow the Lord Jesus? What is

more important to you than doing this? (Be honest with yourself. God already knows.)

9. How does this passage exalt the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Camelot" / 2 Samuel 1:1-27 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 2, why did the messenger have dirt on his head? Why did he pay homage to David? What did that mean?


2 – In verse 3, what did the messenger mean when he said that he had "escaped" from the camp of Israel?


3 – In verse 6, what did the messenger mean that he was on Mt. Gilboa, "by chance?"


4 – In verses 7-10, the messenger claimed to have killed Saul. Why do we expect he was telling a lie? (see 1 Sam 31:4-6) Why would he lie about such an awful thing?


What is significant about the messenger being an Amalekite? Why would Saul care? (see 1 Sam 15:19) Why would David care? (see 1 Sam 30:1-2) What did the Amalekite hope to benefit from bringing this news to David?


5 – In verses 11-16, how did David respond to the news? To the messenger?


6 – In verses 17-27, why does David imply the years of Saul were "Camelot" years? What does that mean? Was he just being generous and kind? Does he exaggerate the good things or just point them out?


7 – In verse 26, How does David describe is relationship with Jonathan? Have you ever had or wished for a friend like Jonathan? Have you ever tried to be one?



"Devastated" / 1 Samuel 31: 1-13 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-6, what are the Philistines hoping to accomplish? How?


Why was Jonathan's death both sad and victorious? Why was Saul's death only grievous? Why does Saul kill himself?


How does scripture deal with Saul's method of death? How does suicide relate to the sanctity of life?


2 - In verse 7, why do the Israelite non-combatants panic? What do they do?


3 – In verses 8-10, why do the men of Jabesh Gilead risk a night time raid at Beth Shan? Why was it dangerous? Why do they burn the bodies of Saul and his sons?


How does this devastation set the stage for David to become king of Israel?


4 – How does a Christian's public sin defame our testimony and the name of our savior and king?

"Finding Your Way Home" / 1 Samuel 30:1-31 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-6, why did David's men blame the catastrophe of Ziklag on David? Why is it his fault?


Both David and Saul at this time find themselves in distress, in a tight spot. How do they each handle it? Compare 1 Sam 28:7 with 1 Sam 30:7


2 – In verses 7-10, why was one-third of David's force left behind at the Brook of Besor? How is David's final condition better than before?


Why is it important that David sends gifts to his friends in Judah? Why is it significant to mention Hebron?


3 – How is David's backsliding a picture of our own? How is David's return to God an example for us?


How is God's providence evident in:


David being sent home to Ziklag -


Having the Urim and the priest in his group -


Finding the Egyptian -


Locating the Amalekites -


Conquering the huge opposing force -


Returning the stolen property -