2 Samuel 22 – LESSONS OF A LIFETIME
David: A Man’s Man, God’s Man
Lesson #8
· Here is a list of things that someone learned in his lifetime. http://www.stressdoc.com/what_i_have_learned.htm
· What are some lessons that you have learned in your lifetime?
· Why are life lessons important to the one learning them?
· How can your life lessons be helpful to others?
There is a psalm that appears at the end of the account of David’s life in 2 Samuel 22. I believe that this Psalm, no matter when it was written, sums up the lessons that David learned over a number of years. Perhaps it was written at the end of his life and David is looking back. I have listed these lessons in the first person because they are lessons that I should learn. Psalm 18 is very similar to this Psalm.
GOD WILL PROTECT ME – Vss. 2-3
· When David wrote the 23rd Psalm he wrote as a shepherd and used pastoral examples. When David wrote this Psalm he wrote as a military man and used military terms.
· How do the terms, “rock”, “fortress”, “shield”, “horn of my salvation”, “high tower”, and “refuge” speak to you about protection?
· What are some of the things from which you and I need protection?
· What does this tell you about God’s care for His children?
· Why do Christians worry when God promises to protect?
GOD WILL HEAR ME – Vss. 4-16
· Vs. 4 – It is interesting that part of calling upon God is praising Him even as the enemy comes against us. When we are free to praise it means that our trust is in him. We will only truly praise God when we are truly confident in God.
· Vss. 5-7 – God actually wants us to call upon Him in times of deepest distress. According to Hebrews 11:6 lack of faith displeases God. The opposite is also true. Faith pleases God.
· Verses 8-16 are figurative. What does this figurative language tell you about God’s response to our prayers?
· How does Hebrews 4:15-16 encourage you?
Hebrews 4:15-16 – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
GOD WILL DELIVER ME – Vss. 17-20
· Vs. 17 – Sometimes we get the sensation of drowning in our troubles. Perhaps that’s how David felt.
· What lessons do we learn about our enemies in verse 18? Why is this verse an important admission on David’s part?
· Vss. 19-20 – Why does God delight in us?
· There are times when God delights in us more than others. When are those times?
· What is the significance of being brought into a large place?
GOD WILL REWARD ME – Vss. 21-29
· Vs. 21 – When does God reward me in spite of my (lack of) righteousness?
· When does and when will God reward me according to my righteousness?
· Vss. 22-25 – What part does obedience have do with God’s current blessings and future rewards?
· In light of what we have studied previously about David’s life, do you have any problems with David’s statements in verses 22-25? How can we reconcile David’s behavior with David’s claims here?
· What is the New Testament principle found in Vss. 26-27?
GOD WILL STRENGTHEN ME – Vss. 30-46
· Vs. 30 – How might God allow you to “run through a troop” or “leap over a wall”?
· Vs. 31 – The word “perfect” has been translated “blameless”. How is God’s will blameless?
· The Word of God is tested by us during times of trouble. When we trust His Word God is our shield.
· What is verse 32 saying?
· What statement(s) in verses 33-38 strike you as significant?
· Vss. 39-46 show how God can and will give total victory. Why should we settle for anything else?
GOD WILL BE WORSHIPPED BY ME – Vss. 47-51
· What justification does David give for worship in these verses?
· What do verses 47 and 50 tell you about worship?