BIBL 105 Old Testament Bible Study Assignment Template (AY2021)
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Name: Maureen Helm
Date: 10/22/23
Section: BIBL 105-005
Old Testament Bible Study Assignment
Passage: 2 Samuel 9:1-13
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of David and Mephibosheth
found in 2 Samuel 9:1-13. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this
passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and
Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in
Everyday Bible Study
.
I. Observation
A. I have read 2 Samuel 9:1-13 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or
CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You
will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your WORDsearch Library.
o
Yes
o
No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
o
David
o
Ziba
o
Mephibosheth
o
Mika
o
Jonathan and Saul referenced
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
o
David asks if there is still anyone left in the house of Saul that he can show
kindness to for Jonathan’s sake. Ziba, a servant of the house of Saul, informed
him that there was still a son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth who was
crippled and living in Lo-debar. David sent for him and told him there was no
he was going to show him kindness and restore to him all the land of Saul. He
gave an open invitation to his table and proclaimed that Ziba and his family
would work the land and provide for Mephibosheth’s family.
3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words)
(Hint: Narrative structure is not the same as plot. Consult the tutorial and the example
if you are uncertain of how this question is different than the plot question).
o
Introduction:
David asks if there is anyone left of the house of Saul that he can show
kindness to for Jonathan’s sake.
o
Inciting incident:
Ziba informs him that there is one remaining son of Jonathan.
o
Rising action:
David sends for Mephibosheth who falls on his face before David.
o
Climax:
David informs Mephibosheth that there is no need to be afraid as he
will always have a place at his table and that he will be given all the
land of Saul his forefather.
o
Falling action:
David assigns Ziba and his family to provide for Mephibosheth and his
family by tilling the land just restored to him.
o
Resolution:
Mephibosheth and his family including Mica now lived in Jerusalem
as they ate at David’s table like part of the kind’s family.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
1. Who:
o
David
o
Ziba
o
Mephibosheth
o
Mica
o
Jonathan and Saul referenced.
2. What:
o
David asked if there was anyone left in the house of Saul that he may “shew
him kindness for Jonathan’s sake…”
o
The kindness of David is related to the covenant bond he formed with
Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20. David promised Jonathan that he would show love
towards Jonathan’s descendants.
o
All of these years since the death of Jonathan, David had been busy fighting in
wars and establishing himself as the king of Israel. Now that he is secured as
king and the realm is somewhat stable, he looks for Jonathan’s family in order
to keep his promise.
3. Where:
o
This chapter is set in the land of Israel, specifically in Jerusalem.
o
David sends for Mephibosheth from the house of Machir at Lo-debar, a city
located in Gilead, south of the Sea of Galilee.
4. When:
o
Sometime between 630-540 BCE
o
After the wars against the philistines that killed Jonathan and
Saul
o
During the reign of David as King od Israel
5. Why:
o
Why did David send for Mephibosheth?
o
To keep his promise to Jonathan by showing his descendants
kindness.
o
Why did Mephibosheth fall on His face before David?
o
At this time, it was common to kill any offspring of the
previous king so that they couldn’t attempt to take the throne.
So, getting summoned by King David made him come to the
throne trembling and paying homage to David out of fear for
his life.
6. How:
o
How did David know that there was a remaining member of the house of
Saul?
o
Ziba, a servant of the house of Saul, was called before David
and informed him of Mephibosheth’s existence.
o
How did David show Mephibosheth kindness?
o
David spared him and welcomed him at his table always, as
well as giving him back the land of his forefathers.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament
narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of
telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon.
o
In this passage, the kindness that David offers Mephibosheth mirrors the
kindness that the Lord shows His people. The practice in Israel was to kill any
offspring of the previous rulers to ensure sole claim to the throne.
Mephibosheth was hiding out in Machir, trying to live an unsuspecting life
outside of the King’s attention. He knew that his connection to the previous
king warranted his death. When David learns of his existence, he summons
him to the throne. However, as Mephibosheth trembles on his face before
Him, David does the opposite of what is expected. Rather than killing him, he
remembers a promise made to Mephibosheth’s ancestor and spares his life.
Moreover, not only does he spare him, but he restores his birthright and
welcomes him at his table to eat like one of his sons. A man that by all
accounts deserved to die is now afforded blessing upon blessing by the king
he was estranged from.
o
This story is familiar because it paints a picture of how the Lord shows grace
to His people. We were estranged from the Father, living unsuspecting worthy
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of death. However, rather than giving the punishment we deserved, the King
of Kings spared our lives and welcomed us to be a part of his family. We now
get to enjoy a seat at the table thanks to the gift of Jesus, his only Son, whom
he sent to earth to bear our death on the cross so that we might be spared. The
Lord holds out his hand to us and grants us an opportunity to have a
relationship with Him. As we skittishly approach the throne, expecting to
receive the harsh punishment we deserve, the Lord graciously tells us that
there is no need to be afraid as David said to Mephibosheth and offers us
blessings that go far beyond anything that we could think or imagine.
B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able
to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
o
Our God is a God of overflowing grace. We have done nothing to merit the
blessings that he has lavished upon us, yet he openhandedly gives despite our
unworthiness. We should be grateful for the invitation at the Lord’s table that
comes with a personal and intimate relationship with the King of Kings due to
his compassionate grace.
III. Correlation
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what
type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
o
The story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth fits within the “redemption”
theme of the metanarrative of the Bible. This story highlights the compassion
and grace that the Father shows to His unworthy and disobedient people as He
offers them a personal relationship with him. David spares Mephibosheth’s
life and offers him a seat at his table always. He also restores his birthright
and provides for his family as he assigns servants to till the land, he is
returning to him. Similarly, the Lord offers us a seat at his table as a member
of His household, inviting us to have an intimate relationship with him that
resembles how we were supposed to interact with Him before the fall and our
estrangement to Him. Just as David redeems Mephibosheth, God redeems His
people as He clears our debt through Jesus’s death and resurrection.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you have
written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true
Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle
discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your
explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
o
The principle of grace depicted in this passage is present throughout Scripture,
as it is a natural outpouring and overflow of God’s character. One specific
example can be seen in Genesis 12. God promised Abraham an abundance of
descendants that would fill the earth. However, Abraham and Sarah doubted
the promise of the Lord as their patience ran out. They laughed at God when
he said she would give birth to a son in her old age, then encouraged her
husband to sleep with another woman to fulfill the promise. Abraham’s fear
and lack of trust in the Father led him to claim that Sarah was his sister as they
travelled through distant lands. Their lives were marked with disbelief and
disobedience, yet the Lord remained faithful to them and to His promise of an
heir. The Lord is just and would have been well within his right to choose
someone else to be the line through which Jesus would be a descendant. Yet,
just as David remembered His promise to Mephibosheth, God fulfilled his
promise to Abraham and gave them a son from whom countless descendants
followed.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
o
The grace shown in this passage is the heart of God woven throughout
Scripture, culminating in the work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection
described in the gospels. As God’s chosen people and followers of Jesus, we
are recipients of his grace. Mephibosheth’s story is our story. Before God even
created us, He knew that we would be in need of salvation and redemption.
Every person and story described in the Scriptures was a part of God’s
gracious plan to redeem mankind. The main fulfilment of this loving plan was
Jesus. The Lord sent His only Son down to earth to die in our place. Not
because we are worthy or have done anything to merit this compassion, but
because of His overwhelming love for us even in our sinful state. Jesus’s
defeat of sin and death on the cross depicted in the gospels now allows us to
be reconciled to the Father. He offers us a personal relationship with Him,
which once we receive, calls us to reflect the grace that we have been shown
in the world.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of
these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A.
The question of duty
o
David’s grace to Mephibosheth is a pattern for us to emulate in our
interactions and ministry. We should seek out people to bless, both our friends
and our enemies. We are to remember the grace that the Lord has shown to us
and give it to those around us. We should look for the weak, helpless and
isolated in order that we may serve them and remind them of the Lord’s love
for them. When interacting with those that are undeserving, we should follow
David’s example and bless them anyway, remembering how the Lord acted in
the face of our own unworthiness. It is our duty to generously give and show
compassion for other’s sake. We should especially show kindness for the
Lord’ sake as members of His family and recipients of His grace. We are to
remember the promises that the Lord has made regarding His people and trust
in them knowing that His ways are better than our own.
B. The question of character
o
As followers of Christ, we are to be imitators of Him. We are blessed
beneficiaries of the extraordinary grace that He lavished upon us, and we are
to convey this grace to the world. Grace is somethings that we should display
in all of our interactions. Grace shouldn’t be something we are resigned to
show, but the posture with which we lead with. Grace overflowed from God
as a natural outpouring of His character. This is how we are to act. To pray for
a softening of the heart that allows us to respond with grace first as a result of
our compassionate and empathetic spirit. To “forgive one another, just as God
has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).
C. The question of goals
o
We are called to emulate the grace that we have received. Our goal is to strive
to imitate Jesus and reflect His love and grace to the dark world that we live
in. We have a responsibility to remember the compassion the Lord showed us
in our worst state and display it to others. Paul states, “but by the grace of God
I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:10). The
grace that we have been shown shouldn’t lead us to passivity, but to an
awareness of the gift that we have been given and actively working on our
ourselves so that we may pay it forward. We are to stive to resemble the Lord
more fully and align our hearts with His.
D. The question of discernment
o
This passage exemplifies the idea of faithful love in action that is seen in the
Old Testament expressed in God’s covenant relationship with Israel. Just as
David and Jonathan made a covenant in which David would show loving
kindness to Jonathan’s disciples and the Lord continually shows loving
kindness to His people, we are to find people to demonstrate this faithful love
in action as well. We are to seek to discern where we can be the conduit of
God’s loving kindness to those that are marginalized and undeserving. To be
led by the spirit to those that need to be shown the grace that is offered by the
Lord and the blessings that come from being called His son or daughter. We
should seek wisdom and discernment in how the Lord is calling us to steward
the resources He has given us to bless others.
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