Men's Ministry
This Saturday, we'll be in II Samuel 11 reviewing The Bathsheba Affair. There are many lessons to learn in this chapter and, hopefully, additional lessons on how to avoid such needless and damaging situations. As evangelist, preacher, Bible teacher and author, G. Campbell Morgan (1863-1945) says, “In the whole of the Old Testament literature there is no chapter more tragic or full of solemn and searching warning than this.”
We meet at the church each Saturday morning, beginning at 8:00 AM and conclude by 9:30 AM.
Please read II Samuel 11:1-5
1. Many commentators claim the reason David committed adultery was that he should have been out with the soldiers but he stayed at home. In the previous chapter (II Samuel 10), David did not go with the army (verse 7) but, in a later battle, he led the army himself (verse 17). If staying home was the only reason for his sin, why didn’t he sin the previous time he stayed home? Make a list of all the hints listed in verses 1 through 5. You may also want to list some of the issues that are not provided in these verses.
2. David was told that Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. He is listed as one of David’s “Mighty Men” in II Samuel 23:39 and I Chronicles 11:41. The Mighty Men probably rose from some of the 600 men that joined David when Saul was chasing him. Therefore, David knew Uriah well. Also, Bathsheba’s father was Eliam, another of David’s Mighty Men (II Samuel 23:34) and her grandfather was Ahithophel, one of David’s advisors (II Samuel 15:12, I Chronicles 27:33). Based on David’s close association with these three men, the affair with Bathsheba is even more heinous. What does this teach us about sin?
Please read II Samuel 11:6-13
3. When David learned Bathsheba was pregnant, he came up with the dastardly plan of offing Uriah the Hittite to keep the matter hush-hush. What would have been the result if his sin became public? See Leviticus 20:10. Was there a better plan? See Proverbs 28:13. When and to whom should we confess our sins?
4. David asked Uriah about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going. This was a feebly attempt by David to
We meet at the church each Saturday morning, beginning at 8:00 AM and conclude by 9:30 AM.
Please read II Samuel 11:1-5
1. Many commentators claim the reason David committed adultery was that he should have been out with the soldiers but he stayed at home. In the previous chapter (II Samuel 10), David did not go with the army (verse 7) but, in a later battle, he led the army himself (verse 17). If staying home was the only reason for his sin, why didn’t he sin the previous time he stayed home? Make a list of all the hints listed in verses 1 through 5. You may also want to list some of the issues that are not provided in these verses.
2. David was told that Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. He is listed as one of David’s “Mighty Men” in II Samuel 23:39 and I Chronicles 11:41. The Mighty Men probably rose from some of the 600 men that joined David when Saul was chasing him. Therefore, David knew Uriah well. Also, Bathsheba’s father was Eliam, another of David’s Mighty Men (II Samuel 23:34) and her grandfather was Ahithophel, one of David’s advisors (II Samuel 15:12, I Chronicles 27:33). Based on David’s close association with these three men, the affair with Bathsheba is even more heinous. What does this teach us about sin?
Please read II Samuel 11:6-13
3. When David learned Bathsheba was pregnant, he came up with the dastardly plan of offing Uriah the Hittite to keep the matter hush-hush. What would have been the result if his sin became public? See Leviticus 20:10. Was there a better plan? See Proverbs 28:13. When and to whom should we confess our sins?
4. David asked Uriah about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going. This was a feebly attempt by David to
pretend that everything was OK. “Go down to your house and wash your feet” was a common idiom of the time since people wore sandals and their feet were always dirty - and not just from the dusty roads but also from the animals that traveled on those roads. In fact, David tried to get Uriah to go to his house twice and twice, Uriah refused. Why? What is the contrast between Uriah and David?
Please read II Samuel 11:14-21
5. David composed Uriah’s death warrant and then sent it by Uriah himself, indicating how much David trusted in Uriah’s integrity. David, while being chased, refused to murder Saul. Now he’s ready to murder Uriah. Do you think that David originally intended to become a murderer? What brought him to this point?
6. Joab responded to David with news about the battle and that Uriah was dead. It seems that Joab was concerned that David might forget all about the death warrant and get angry that some of his men died (verses19-21). The messenger is told that, if David got angry, to mention that Uriah was dead. Why do you think Joab gave the instruction in this manner? How could David forget about his own command? For information on the reference to Ahimelech in verse 21, see Judges 9:50-57.
Please read II Samuel 11:22-27
7. David’s words to Joab, “The sword devours now one and now another,” would be the equivalent of our proverb, “These things happen.” David says this to encourage Joab but Joab knew the reality of why Uriah died - because David order it. To whom do you think this message was really addressed?
8. The chapter ends with David taking his eighth wife (at least) and then comes one of the most important words in the Bible, “but.” Note that God is not mentioned in this chapter until the very last word. How far has David fallen from his practice in previous chapters?
9. Extra credit: Describe the two Davids in II Samuel 9-10 and II Samuel 11.
Please read II Samuel 11:14-21
5. David composed Uriah’s death warrant and then sent it by Uriah himself, indicating how much David trusted in Uriah’s integrity. David, while being chased, refused to murder Saul. Now he’s ready to murder Uriah. Do you think that David originally intended to become a murderer? What brought him to this point?
6. Joab responded to David with news about the battle and that Uriah was dead. It seems that Joab was concerned that David might forget all about the death warrant and get angry that some of his men died (verses19-21). The messenger is told that, if David got angry, to mention that Uriah was dead. Why do you think Joab gave the instruction in this manner? How could David forget about his own command? For information on the reference to Ahimelech in verse 21, see Judges 9:50-57.
Please read II Samuel 11:22-27
7. David’s words to Joab, “The sword devours now one and now another,” would be the equivalent of our proverb, “These things happen.” David says this to encourage Joab but Joab knew the reality of why Uriah died - because David order it. To whom do you think this message was really addressed?
8. The chapter ends with David taking his eighth wife (at least) and then comes one of the most important words in the Bible, “but.” Note that God is not mentioned in this chapter until the very last word. How far has David fallen from his practice in previous chapters?
9. Extra credit: Describe the two Davids in II Samuel 9-10 and II Samuel 11.