Men's Ministry

Our study this week centers on II Samuel 8, a summary of some of David's battles.

We meet from 8:00-9:30 AM at the church. Bring your friends, neighbors, and sons.

Note:  No one is signed up to bring food this week. If you'd like to do so, please let me know.
 

Please read II Samuel 8:1-18

  • The city of Methegammah is mentioned in verse one. This is another name for the Philistine city of Gath, from which came Goliath and where David went, twice, for shelter from Saul. Might there be a reason why this city is mentioned to the exclusion of the other four Philistine cities?
  • If the Philistines represent the forces of evil and Israel represents Christians, who does David represent? Why? How is this more than just coincidence or an allegory?
  • This one is not a question but provides some background information that may be helpful. Verse 2, the defeat of Moab, appears to be a fulfillment of Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:17. On the other hand, David’s great-grandmother, Ruth was from Moab and David sent his parents and other family members there for safety while Saul was chasing him (see I Samuel 22:3-4). We don’t know why David would make war against Moab. Jewish tradition holds that the Moabites put David’s parents to death. Others think that they were guilty of some other treachery during his wars with the Syrians and the Ammonites in verses 3-8 and in chapter 10.
  • How do we know it was the Lord that gave these victories to David, that it was not David’s superior military ability, the overwhelming size of his armies, or the genius of his strategies? See verses 6 and 14. What was David’s response to the victories that the Lord provided? See verses 7 and 11. How do you respond when something good happens in your life? How do you respond when something bad happens?
  • In verses 9 though 12, we have the “Toi Story.” Toi was the king of Hamath, a city-state in the Syrian empire (north of Israel). Why did Toi send his own son with a magnanimous gift to David?  And why would David accept their allegiance to him since the Hamathites were descended from Canaan (see Genesis 10:18)?  Weren’t the Israelites to extinguish all the Canaanites (see Deuteronomy 20:17)?  Extra credit: At least one commentator thinks that Psalm 18:43-44 refers to this “Toi Story.” What do you think?
  • In the battle against Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother), it says that David killed 18,000 soldiers. In I Chronicles 18:13, it ascribes this victory to Abishai, Joab’s brother. In the heading to Psalm 60, it says that Joab did it. Does this shake your confidence in the inerrancy of Scripture? Why or why not?
  • In the last verse, David’s sons are said to have been priests. How can this be since the priests had to have been descended from Levi and David was descended from Judah? Compare with I Chronicles 18:17.