Absalom's Rebellionm | 1 Samuel 13-18

Sermon Discussion | 1 Samuel 13-18

1. The sins of King David carry with it generational echoes through his family and not in a general sense but in specifics. His direction toward sexual sin and violence is carried out specifically by his own children and inflict on his own children. In your experience, is this kind of cycle of repeating sins something that is a one of kind story about David's family or is there a more general application to the lives of people you see? Have you experienced a similar cycle within generations of your own family, even if it isn't to the drastic level of David's experience?

2. Amnon starts this section of the story with an act that is shocking, as he sexually assaults his stepsister. Chapter 13, verse 2 says "Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill." What lessons can we learn about the lure of temptation? What things did Amnon do in the lead up to this moment that he should have been warned against? James Chapter 1 says "...each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." How does this scripture relate to what we see in the life of Amnon.

3. David, the king, sits by as his son rapes his daughter and then another son plots revenge and murders the first son. His disconnection for the horrible things that are going on in his family is shocking. What kind internal excuses do you think David would be using to allow him to ignore or overlook engagement in these issues in his family? The effort to keep a veneer of peace is often fueled by overlooking hurts, sin, and avoiding confrontation. Why do we often prefer peace at the cost of real justice?

4. Absalom aims to get the attention of his father who has withheld affection and attention from King David by starting a field on fire. This destructive behavior was not destructive for the sake of destruction but is an effort to draw attention and engagement that is missing from his relationship with his father. How do you see this cycle play itself out with people you engage with or witness in the world? Have you ever experienced this kind of thing?

5. Eventually Absalom executes a coup on the King. His hurt and his rejection comes to a head when he turns his disappointment into anger and a plot for revenge and usurps the reign of his father. When he gets to the point that all his efforts to gain what he desires from his dad are rejected, then he concludes that his father is not worthy of the place and title of king. How would you compare this behavior to how humanity treats God in their lives?

6. Eventually, David is crushed as the full weight of the long-lasting impact of his sin comes to fruition. He lost his infant son. He lost the innocence of his daughter. He has lost the lives of two more of his sons. Maybe you have seen people experience long lasting deep impacts from sin in their lives. Maybe you have experienced that? How does the grace of the gospel inform that experience? How would you help people (or yourself) reconcile how acceptance and forgiveness from God does not remove all of the impact and consequences of sinful choices.