Lesson 23

background notes

doctrinal points
1.  The words of David’s pen convey inspired words of Scripture.

2.  The deeds of David’s men portray insightful lessons from Scripture.

practical application
Are you listed with the mighty ones?

 

questions

1.   What does it mean that these were the last words of David?
2.   Did David meet the ideal of a righteous ruler?
3.   What is divine inspiration?
4.   David as king is a type or spiritual picture of Christ, our king.  Who do the mighty men represent?
   

answers
1.  They were his last formal words recorded.

2.   No, David acknowledged that he fell far short of the ideal righteous ruler, but God had made an everlasting covenant with him that included the promise of a coming righteous ruler, the Messiah, who would be in the line of David.

3.  Divine Inspiration is the process by which God superintended the writers and writings of Scripture.

4.  David’s mighty men picture believers who are willing to serve the Lord, our King, courageously and sacrificially.

 

discuss\ consider
1.  The fact that God keeps a detailed record of the names and exploits of David’s fighting men indicates that God records our personal service, too.  Discuss how and when this is an encouragement to you.

2.  Review the three mighty men in this passage and the lessons they teach us about spiritual warfare.  Which is most applicable to you at this time?

 

challenge
Every man who joined David in the wilderness entered into David’s kingdom, but few made the list of David’s mighty men.  So every Christian is in the kingdom of Christ, but not all Christians are on the Lord’s list of mighty ones.  Are you?

 

memorize

“The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.”  2 Samuel 23:2

“He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.  And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.”  2 Samuel 23:3-4