WINNERS AND LOSERS THE BOOK OF 2 SAMUEL

By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras

LESSON 40

INTRODUCTION

We want to take you through the entire Old Testament as we study winners and losers. However, we will do this in sections so that you will not become bored in your studies. Here is the final book, 2 Samuel, in this series. Then we will go into other exciting subjects before returning later to the Old Testament books.

Remember, if you learn from the lives of those who pleased God and follow their examples you, too, will be a winner in the eyes of the Lord.

2 SAMUEL

3:31-39—Example of a godly warrior who exposed and resisted evil even in his own closest advisors and companions.

5:19,22-25—David’s example of not taking God’s orders of yesterday as His will for today (a moment by moment walk with God).

6:6-9—Uzzah an example of the danger of carelessness with God.

6:14,16,20-23—Example of a wise leader rejecting any sense of superiority.

7:16,18-26—Example of one who knew he was less than nothing without God.

10:9-12—Old Testament example of Galatians 6:2—bearing the burdens of others.

DAVID’S SLIDE  

11:1-4,11,15—Example—David’s adultery, cover-up and murder—the slide begins.

12:1-12—Nathan—Example of God’s man fearing no man.

12:9,10—David—A fearful example that choosing to disobey through deliberate sin is choosing to despise God.

12:13,14—Example of a tender conscience convicted of sin.

13:1,2,11-17—Amnon—Example of a fool in his unquenchable lust.

THE WRONG KIND OF FRIEND

13:3-5—Jonadab—Example of the kind of “friend” to keep away from.         

15:1-6—Absalom an example of the worst cancer of all—that which comes from within the family of God (see Acts 20:30).

16:1-4—Example of a crooked man enriching himself at a crippled man’s expense (see 2 Samuel 19:24-30)

16:5-13—Shimei—Example of God’s judgment on those who curse the godly (see 1 Kings 2:8,9, 36-46).

A GRATEFUL HEART

19:24-30—Mephibosheth—Example of gratitude and loyalty—and freedom from any lust of materialism.

20:1,2,22—Sheba—Example of a “wicked man” lusting for power—and paying the price.

20:16,19,22—Example—A woman of God, known for her wisdom, saves a city.

21:15-22—Four sons of an evil giant fail to learn from the example left by their defeated father that might is no match for right.

22:1-8,17-24,29-31,36,37,50,51—Example of God’s man—one who knows that favor, goodness and power only come from the Lord.

23:8-12—Three examples of supernatural might that come from knowing God and fighting His battles.

TEST YOURSELF

1)  How is it possible for us, like Uzzah (6:6-9), to become careless with God? How can we keep ourselves from this trap?

2)  Though David’s secret sin with Bathsheba was so horrible, why did he find such mercy and forgiveness from God (see Psalm 51)? Are there any secret sins in your life that you have not confessed and asked the Lord for cleansing?

3)  What might have prevented the family members of Goliath from learning from his example as a loser (21:15-22)? Are you being a humble, righteous testimony before your own family members?