Question

bible study worksheet 2 samuel 5 10th grade bible — unit: david, after god’s own heart directions: read 2 samuel 5 carefully. answer the questions below in complete sentences 1. who officially recognizes david as king in this chapter? 2. how old was david when he became king, and how long did he reign? 3. what does verse 10 say about why david became more powerful? 4. how does david respond to the philistines when they attack? 5. what does david do before going into battle, and why is this important? 6. in what ways does david show dependence on god in this chapter? 7. how does david’s leadership here compare to saul’s leadership when facing enemies?

Explanation:

1. Based on 2 Samuel 5:3, the elders of Israel officially recognize David as king over all Israel, after he was already king of Judah.
2. 2 Samuel 5:4 states David was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned 40 total years: 7 years in Hebron over Judah, and 33 years in Jerusalem over all Israel.
3. 2 Samuel 5:10 says David became more powerful because the Lord Almighty was with him.
4. When the Philistines attack, David inquires of the Lord, and follows God's instruction to strike the Philistines at the Baal Perazim, where he defeats them (2 Samuel 5:17-20).
5. Before going into battle, David inquires of the Lord to seek guidance. This is important because it demonstrates his reliance on God's will rather than his own judgment, and it leads to successful outcomes for his people.
6. David shows dependence on God by repeatedly inquiring of the Lord before making military decisions (before both Philistine attacks) and attributing his victories and growing power to the Lord's presence and support.
7. Unlike Saul, who often acted on his own impulse or disobeyed God's commands when facing enemies, David consistently sought God's guidance first and followed it, leading to successful, divinely backed victories rather than the failures that marked Saul's later leadership.

Answer:

1. The elders of Israel officially recognize David as king over all Israel, after he ruled Judah from Hebron.
2. David was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned for a total of 40 years: 7 years over Judah in Hebron, and 33 years over all Israel in Jerusalem.
3. David became more powerful because the Lord Almighty was with him.
4. David inquires of the Lord for guidance, then follows God's command to attack the Philistines at Baal Perazim, where he defeats them.
5. David inquires of the Lord before going into battle. This is important because it shows his reliance on God's wisdom instead of his own, and it leads to successful, divinely aligned military outcomes.
6. David shows dependence on God by seeking His guidance through inquiries before every major military decision, and by acknowledging that his growing power and victories come from the Lord's presence.
7. David's leadership centers on seeking and obeying God's guidance before facing enemies, leading to consistent success. In contrast, Saul often acted independently of God's commands or rushed into action without divine consultation, which led to his military and spiritual failures.