◄ 2 Samuel 19:35 ►
I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 19:35? 2. How does Barzillai's age influence his decision in 2 Samuel 19:35? 3. What can we learn about humility from Barzillai's response to King David? 4. How does Barzillai's perspective on life compare to Psalm 90:10? 5. In what ways can we prioritize serving others over personal gain, like Barzillai? 6. How does Barzillai's contentment challenge our views on material wealth and status? 7. How does 2 Samuel 19:35 reflect on the value of age and wisdom in leadership? 8. What does Barzillai's refusal to go to Jerusalem reveal about contentment and humility? 9. How does 2 Samuel 19:35 challenge modern views on aging and usefulness? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 19? 11. How can 185,000 Assyrians (2 Kings 19:35) be killed overnight without any verifiable historical or archaeological evidence? 12. Why do Assyrian records make no mention of the dramatic deaths of 185,000 troops as in 2 Kings 19:35? 13. Why don't Assyrian records mention this massive defeat described in 2 Kings 19:35? 14. How do the ominous predictions about a king's behavior (1 Samuel 8:11-18) align with the notion of a divinely sanctioned ruler? Discussion Questions 1. How does Barzillai's response to King David reflect humility and self-awareness, and how can we apply this attitude in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we honor and support the elderly in our communities, as David did with Barzillai? 3. How does Barzillai's account encourage us to think about our own legacy and the impact we have on others? 4. What can we learn from Barzillai about serving others without becoming a burden, and how can this principle be applied in our daily interactions? 5. How do the challenges of aging, as expressed by Barzillai, encourage us to rely on God's strength and wisdom throughout our lives? 2 Samuel 19 Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joab's rebuke of David teach us about the responsibility of leaders towards their people? 2. In what ways does David's mourning for Absalom reveal his personal and parental struggles? 3. How can we apply David's forgiveness of Shimei to our personal lives when we've been wronged? 4. How does David’s reconciliation with Mephibosheth demonstrate the importance of hearing all sides of a story? 5. What can we learn from David's treatment of Barzillai and his acceptance of Chimham? 6. How does the conflict between the tribes of Israel and Judah show the difficulty of unity even under a shared leader? 7. How can we show grace and forgiveness to others as David did, even when we are in a position of power? 8. What does David's return to Jerusalem signify about restoration and reconciliation? 9. What lessons can we learn from David's ability to move forward despite his personal loss? 10. What does this chapter teach us about the human tendency to judge before knowing the entire context, as seen in the case of Mephibosheth? 11. How can you apply David's willingness to forgive Shimei in your daily life? 12. Why is it important to not forget those who were kind to us during our difficult times, as seen with David's interaction with Barzillai? 13. How can leaders today apply the lessons from David's interaction with Joab, specifically regarding the prioritization of their responsibilities? 14. How does David's decision to divide Saul's inheritance equitably demonstrate fairness and wisdom? 15. In what ways does the narrative about the Israelites' and Judah's contention over David's kingship reveal the challenges of maintaining unity in a nation or organization? 16. How might you handle a situation similar to David's confrontation with Shimei, in a contemporary setting? 17. What are some practical steps you can take to develop a forgiving heart like David's? 18. How does this chapter inform our understanding of the consequences of civil war and division within a nation or community? 19. How can we reconcile the love David had for his rebellious son with his duties as a king? 20. How can we deal with internal disputes and conflicts in our communities, as seen between the tribes of Israel and Judah? Links 2 Samuel 19:35 NIV 2 Samuel 19:35 NLT 2 Samuel 19:35 ESV 2 Samuel 19:35 NASB 2 Samuel 19:35 KJV 2 Samuel 19:35 Commentaries Bible Hub