By now, many children are returning to school and teachers are preparing to lay out the rules for the classroom and the discipline that would be given to those who choose to break the rules. Teachers work tirelessly, not only to teach, but to provide an environment where individuals learn the consequences of their actions in the classroom. This session will focus on David's response when he realized he had "broken the rules" (sinned) God had outlined.
This will be the final session from 2 Samuel. It will focus on David’s realization that he had sinned, the resulting consequences, the discipline of the Lord upon David (and Israel), and the restoration that took place.
As you lead this session, consider using some of the ideas below that are outlined further in the downloadable teaching ideas. There is much more content in this session, so consider working to summarize further the downloadable plan based on the amount of time you have for leading your group.
IDEAS FOR LOOK UP (GETTING THE GROUP ATTENTION)
Display the image at the top of this blog post (Consequences for Breaking a Rule) or write the following on a poster or whiteboard: Consequences (1) Verbal Warning; (2) Loss of Privilege; (3) Seat Change; (4) Meet with Teacher; (5) Call Home; (6) Parent Conference; (7) Meet with Principal.
In order to contextualize the events that created the consequences and prompted God’s discipline, consider using the following:
- Exodus 30:11-16. A census was not something that was wrong, but for David to do it was wrong! Taking the census was a sin for him possibly for the following reasons: (1) David’s motives could have been wrong – possibly for self-aggrandizement. (2) David may have wanted to “know how many” Israelite males above the age of twenty there were in Israel in order to be able to boast more accurately.In addition, much like when David attempted to return of the ark to The City of David, it was not done in the correct manner. David did not require all enrolled males to pay the half-shekel ransom required by the Torah, an oversight guaranteed to bring a plague against Israel.
- 2 Samuel 24:1-4 and 1 Chronicles 21:1-7. We see in these passages that the Lord was angry with the people of Israel for some unspecified reason. This rebellion spilled over into David’s life; therefore, God allowed Satan to “stir up” David against them as further explained in these passages. Notice in both of these passages that Joab tried to warn David, but David ignored his warnings. We should listen to those around us when we are drifting toward sin.
IDEA FOR LOOK IN (EXAMINING THE PASSAGE): When discussing 2 Samuel 24:16-25
Consider using the image below of the location of Mount Moriah. Lead your group to consider the importance of the location adding any of the reference content below (scroll over each passage to see the Scripture):
The site where the angel stopped judgment and David made his sacrifice is very significant and not just a random place chosen by God. The “threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite” is located on Mount Moriah. Mount Moriah is one of the most valuable pieces of real estate and one of the most hotly contested pieces of real estate on earth. It is the current location of what is known as the Dome of the Rock – a Muslim shrine built thirteen hundred years ago.
- In Genesis 22:2, God led Abraham to Mount Moriah and instructed him to offer Isaac his son as a sacrifice. Of course, God intervened and spared Isaac’s life by providing a ram instead.
- About a thousand years later, the events of today's passage took place on the very same mount!
- David’s son, King Solomon, built the temple on the same site. Solomon’s temple lasted for over four hundred years until it was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar’s armies in 587/586 B.C.
- Seventy years later the temple was rebuilt on the same site by the Jews who returned from Babylon captivity.
- Around the first century, King Herod made a significant addition to this structure, which then became known as Herod’s Temple. It was this temple that Jesus cleansed (John 2:15).
- In A.D. 70, the Roman armies destroyed the temple. All that remains of the Temple Mount of that era is a portion of a retaining wall known as the “Western Wall” or the “Wailing Wall.”
- The God who first called Abraham to Mount Moriah still has plans for that place. The Bible indicates that a third temple will be built on or near the site of Solomon’s temple (Daniel 9:27).
This quote gives the best explanation as to the significance of this site:
At the same site where Abraham once held a knife over his son (Genesis 22:1-19), David sees the angel of the Lord with sword ready to plunge into Jerusalem. In both cases death is averted by sacrifice. The temple is established there as the place where Israel was perpetually reminded that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). Death for Isaac and for David's Jerusalem was averted because the sword of divine justice would ultimately find its mark in the Son of God (John 19:33). (Dillard, "David's Census," p. 107)
- The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 3 – Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel
THE BOTTOM LINE
Sin always carries consequences, not just for the sinner but for others around him. God disciplines us to bring about repentance. Repentance should include confession, taking responsibility, and a change in behavior because of God’s mercy and compassion. 2 Samuel 24 provides a fitting conclusion to the story of David by calling attention, once more and finally, not only to his ambition and pride, but also to his humility and remorse. This is something we all experience in our lives as believers.
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