2 Samuel 20: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Samuel 20 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Sheba, the son of Bichri, provoked the people of Israel saying, 'We have no portion in David' (vv. 1-2). David returned to Jerusalem and placed his concubines in custody (v.

Key verse

“They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.”
2 Samuel 20:15 (WEB)

Outline

2 Samuel 20:1–2 Sheba's Rebellion Begins
2 Samuel 20:3–6 David's Response and Amasa's Delay
2 Samuel 20:7–10 Joab's Ruthless Action
2 Samuel 20:11–13 Declaring Loyalty to Joab
2 Samuel 20:14–22 Siege of Abel and Negotiation
2 Samuel 20:23–26 David's Leadership Structure

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Sheba claim about David and his kingship?
What action does Joab take against Amasa in vv. 9-10?
Joab’s response in v20: what does it suggest about his intentions regarding the city?
In v21, why does Joab demand the head of Sheba in exchange for sparing Abel?
When have you seen a community rally together to protect their own, like in v16?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Samuel 20: 2 Samuel 23, 2 Samuel 8, 1 Kings 1.

Before next time: read 2 Samuel 21.