"Is this the loyalty you show your friend?" Absalom replied. "Why did you not go with your friend?" Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 16:17? 2. How does 2 Samuel 16:17 reveal Absalom's betrayal of David's trust? 3. What can we learn about loyalty from Absalom's actions in this passage? 4. How does 2 Samuel 16:17 connect to the commandment to honor one's parents? 5. In what ways can we guard against betrayal in our own relationships? 6. How should Christians respond when faced with betrayal, as seen in 2 Samuel 16:17? 7. Why does Hushai question Absalom's loyalty in 2 Samuel 16:17? 8. How does 2 Samuel 16:17 reflect themes of betrayal and loyalty? 9. What historical context influences the events in 2 Samuel 16:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 16? 11. If Hushai's counsel (2 Samuel 17:7-14) was so clearly delayed and risky, why would Absalom reject Ahithophel's seemingly superior military advice without further scrutiny? 12. Why does 2 Samuel 17:23 describe Ahithophel's suicide differently from any later biblical references to suicides, and are there historical precedents for such a response? 13. (2 Samuel 16:5-8) How could God supposedly endorse Shimei's hostile cursing of David if God is just and fair? 14. Who was Hushai in the Bible? Discussion Questions 1. How does Hushai's loyalty to David challenge our understanding of friendship and loyalty in difficult circumstances?2. In what ways can we seek wisdom and discernment when faced with challenging situations, as Hushai did? 3. How does Absalom's rebellion against David illustrate the dangers of pride and ambition in our own lives? 4. What can we learn from David's response to betrayal and adversity that can be applied to our personal experiences? 5. How do the events in 2 Samuel 16:17 reflect the broader theme of God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our faith and trust in God?1. What does Ziba's deception reveal about the human propensity for personal gain at the expense of others? 2. How does David’s response to Shimei reflect his understanding of divine retribution? 3. In what ways does Absalom's actions reflect a desire for power, and how does this contrast with David's humility? 4. How can David's reaction to Shimei's cursing be a lesson for dealing with criticism or verbal attacks in today's world? 5. Why did David choose to endure Shimei's curses rather than punish him? What does this tell us about his character? 6. How does Hushai's loyalty to David contrast with Ahithophel's betrayal? 7. Can we find any parallels in our lives where we have shown loyalty or disloyalty, and what were the consequences? 8. How does David's response to adversity show his trust in God? How can we apply this trust in our lives? 9. What lessons can we learn from Absalom's disgraceful act of usurping his father's throne? 10. Reflect on how you handle false accusations. Do you respond like David or differently? 11. Why did Absalom follow Ahithophel's advice, and what does this reveal about the nature of his rebellion? 12. How does the narrative of Ahithophel and Absalom highlight the danger of bad counsel? 13. In what ways can we prevent ourselves from becoming tools of deceit like Ziba? 14. How does David's humility serve as an example for us when we face the consequences of our own wrong actions? 15. How would you handle a situation where a friend betrayed you like Ahithophel betrayed David? 16. What does this chapter reveal about the dynamics of power, treachery, and loyalty? 17. How does Shimei's disrespect towards David compare to today's culture of respect towards leadership? 18. What steps can you take to demonstrate humility and grace in times of adversity as David did? 19. How does David's treatment of Shimei challenge your own approach to dealing with personal enemies? 20. What personal changes can you make in your life in response to the lessons learned from 2 Samuel 16? Links 2 Samuel 16:17 NIV2 Samuel 16:17 NLT 2 Samuel 16:17 ESV 2 Samuel 16:17 NASB 2 Samuel 16:17 KJV 2 Samuel 16:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |



