Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 15:19? 2. Why does David ask Ittai, "Why should you come with us?" 3. How does Ittai's loyalty reflect Christ's call to follow Him? 4. What does Ittai's response teach about commitment in difficult times? 5. How can we demonstrate loyalty to God in our daily lives? 6. Compare Ittai's loyalty to Ruth's in Ruth 1:16-17. What similarities exist? 7. Why did David tell Ittai to return in 2 Samuel 15:19? 8. What does Ittai's loyalty in 2 Samuel 15:19 teach about faithfulness? 9. How does 2 Samuel 15:19 reflect on leadership and trust? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 15? 11. How can 2 Samuel 19:18-23 reconcile David's promise to spare Shimei with later biblical texts (e.g., 1 Kings 2:8-9) commanding his execution? 12. Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17? 13. 2 Kings 15:19 speaks of Menahem paying tribute to Pul, king of Assyria--do extrabiblical sources confirm this tribute or Pul's identity? 14. Does the timeline in 2 Samuel 15 align with other biblical accounts, or does it create chronological contradictions? Discussion Questions 1. What does Ittai's loyalty to David teach us about the nature of true commitment and friendship?2. How can David's leadership during his flight from Jerusalem inform our understanding of leading with humility and grace in times of crisis? 3. In what ways does the account of Ittai challenge us to consider our own willingness to follow Christ, even when it involves personal risk or sacrifice? 4. How does the inclusion of Ittai, a foreigner, in David's company reflect the biblical theme of God's inclusive love and the call to welcome outsiders? 5. Can you identify a situation in your life where you are called to show loyalty or leadership in a challenging context, and how might this passage guide your response?1. How does Absalom’s behavior serve as an example of subtle manipulation? How can we guard against such behavior in our own lives? 2. How does Absalom exploit the needs and desires of the Israelites to his advantage? What does this tell us about the power of discernment? 3. How does David's reaction to Absalom's betrayal reflect his faith in God? 4. Why does David choose to flee Jerusalem instead of confronting Absalom? What can we learn from this about handling conflicts? 5. How does David's approach towards Ahithophel's defection demonstrate wisdom and strategy? 6. Discuss the role of Hushai, Zadok, and Abiathar. How do their actions emphasize loyalty and courage? 7. What can we learn about trusting God in times of personal crisis from David's reaction to his son's betrayal? 8. If you were in David's shoes, how would you handle Absalom's rebellion? 9. How does Absalom's behavior impact your understanding of the consequences of unchecked ambition? 10. David's life was full of conflict. How did he use these challenges to strengthen his faith? 11. In what ways do you think David might have felt responsible for Absalom's rebellion? 12. How would you counsel someone dealing with betrayal by a close family member or friend, based on David's experience? 13. How can David's trust in God inspire us in our own trials and tribulations? 14. How do David's actions show his love for Jerusalem and his people? 15. In times of betrayal and conflict, what strategies did David use to keep his people united? 16. How did the priests Zadok and Abiathar demonstrate their loyalty? What can we learn from their actions? 17. How does David's handling of Absalom's rebellion show his skill as a leader? 18. How does Absalom's story warn against the dangers of pride and a rebellious spirit? 19. Discuss the significance of David's prayer on Mount of Olives in the context of his crisis. 20. Based on David's experiences, how would you apply his strategies and faith to a crisis in your own life? Links 2 Samuel 15:19 NIV2 Samuel 15:19 NLT 2 Samuel 15:19 ESV 2 Samuel 15:19 NASB 2 Samuel 15:19 KJV 2 Samuel 15:19 Commentaries Bible Hub |



