Title: A Trail of Tears Text: 2 Samuel 14-18 Teacher: tom nelson
Jerusalem Tabloids
A troubled royal family
A foreboding prophecy (2 Samuel 12:10-11)
Tears, tears, and more tears (2 Samuel 14-18)
King David’s Darkest Days (2 Samuel 15)
Like father, like son?
The betrayer is now betrayed
Absalom’s conspiracy
King David’s Agonizing Heart
Psalm 55
When you are betrayed…
1) Trust
.
2) Take
.
3) Find
.
King David’s Sheltering Friends (2 Samuel 15-17)
Ittai, Zadok, Abiathar, Hushai, Shobi, Machir, Barzillai, and Joab
Absalom’s Tragic and Gruesome End
2 Samuel 18:9
Three Big Truths to Ponder
1) We often reap what we sow. Be
2) Jealousy and selfish ambition are deadly. Be
!
!
3) Betrayal severely wounds the soul. Be
!
The “trail of tears” leads to the cross of Christ.
Conversation starter
•Why do you think dogs have been described as “man’s best friend”? What characteristics do dogs have that
you also look for in your friends? Describe a story of a dog’s loyalty to its owner. What is unique about the
loyalty of dogs? Why do you think loyalty is so important to people?
•Read 2 Samuel 15:1-17. How did Absalom’s actions undermine David’s rule? Why do you think Absalom was
able to steal the heart of the people of Israel? Why do you think Absalom had the audacity to act so boldly?
Describe your reaction to David’s decision to flee the city. What do you think compelled David’s servants to
remain loyal to him?
•Read Psalm 55:1-15. What emotions does the language of these verses evoke? What images does the Psalmist
use to describe the situation he faces? What is your reaction to the Psalmist’s plea for God to act as judge? How
do vv.12-14 describe the Psalmist’s adversaries?
•Read Psalm 55:16-23. How does the Psalmist imagine the battle between God and his enemies will end? What
truths of God does the Psalmist confidently stand on in these verses? What feelings do these verses stir in you?
How does the Psalmist’s confidence in God affect your relationship with God?
•Read the excerpt below. How does realizing who we are and who God is restore our capacity to love? What
you do think of Peterson’s description of “humility” as the “earthiness of David” and “prayer” as “the livingness
of God”? Why was loving Absalom one of the most magnificent things David ever did?
•Why do you think jealousy and selfish ambition are deadly? What are early warning signs of these traits
developing in our hearts? In what ways does betrayal severely wound the soul? How can we help heal the
wounds of betrayal? How can we serve as loyal, “sheltering” friends? What should we do when we realize we
have betrayed someone?
Excerpt from: Leap Over a Wall
By: Eugene Peterson
And in suffering, David recovered compassion—he got in touch with his long-estranged son Absalom. He
recovered his extraordinary capacity to love. Several days had now passed since Absalom’s coup and David’s
flight. …David accepted their [his military officers’] counsel, but he gave strict and clearly articulated orders
regarding Absalom. …As we listen to David ordering his men—“Deal gently for my sake with the young man
Absalom”—we know that David’s recovery is almost complete. Deep changes were taking place in David as
he descended from the heights of Jerusalem down the “Jericho road” into the wilderness of the Jordan. He was
descending the road that a thousand years later Jesus ascended to suffer and die. …But there was nothing
sentimental about David’s command; it is issued out of a deeply realized recovery of who he was and who
God is. It came not from simpering emotions but from rock-hard convictions regarding humility and prayer: the
earthiness of David and the livingness of God. Only when David was truly in touch with himself and with God
was he able to be in touch with Absalom and able again to love. Loving Absalom that day was one of the most
magnificent things David ever did. The fruit of humility and prayer, it gave expression to the Son of David’s best
and most difficult command, also given in the proximity of his betrayer: “Love on another” (John 13:34-35).