This page gives you ready-to-use study questions for 2 Samuel 20, with a leader’s note under each one. It suits a small group, a Sunday class, or a personal study. You can work through the questions in order or pick the sets that fit your time and the people in the room.
2 Samuel 20 at a Glance
Chapter 20 opens with a rebellion. A troublemaker named Sheba son of Bichri calls the northern tribes away from David, and most of Israel follows him, while Judah stays with the king. David returns to Jerusalem, deals with the women Absalom left behind, and sends Amasa to gather Judah within three days. Amasa is slow, so David sends Abishai and Joab after Sheba, and Joab’s army meets Amasa at Gibeon, where Joab kills him treacherously.
Joab’s army then hunts Sheba to the walled town of Abel of Beth Maacah and lays siege to it. A wise woman in the city speaks to Joab, reminds him of the town’s reputation for good counsel, and arranges for the rebel’s head to be handed over. The chapter closes with a list of David’s officials, which shows how the kingdom was run after the crisis.
Observation Questions
Use these questions at the start of the session to get everyone reading closely and naming what happens. Ask people to answer from the text before offering any interpretation, and let the quieter members speak first if they are willing.
2 Samuel 20:1
There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”
(WEB)
Read this verse first to set the scene and to hear how the rebellion is introduced. Ask the group to notice the words used to describe Sheba and the claim he makes about David.
2 Samuel 20:3
David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and provided them with sustenance, but didn’t go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
(WEB)
This verse shows David’s response to the defiled household. Reading it aloud helps the group pause over the sorrow of the moment and David’s measured restraint.
2 Samuel 20:9-10
9 Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn’t strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.
(WEB)
The greeting and the strike are central to Joab’s treachery. Hearing the exchange aloud makes the contrast between friendly words and hidden violence easy to grasp.
2 Samuel 20:16-19
16 Then a wise woman cried out of the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come near here, that I may speak with you.’” 17 He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.” 18 Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel;’ and so they settled a matter. 19 I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
(WEB)
The woman’s speech is the heart of the chapter’s wisdom theme. Reading it aloud lets the group hear her appeal to her city’s reputation and her plea for peace.
2 Samuel 20:22
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
(WEB)
This verse brings the rebellion to its close, with the city’s people acting on the woman’s counsel. Reading it aloud helps the group reflect on how wise words can lead to a peaceful resolution.
Memory Verse for 2 Samuel 20
2 Samuel 20:19
I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
(WEB)
This verse holds the wise woman’s description of her city and her question to Joab about the Lord’s inheritance. Memorizing it gives the group a short reminder to value peace, faithfulness, and careful speech in every conflict.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you are the one who gives wisdom when conflict rises and who guards your people from treachery. Teach us to be faithful when others call us away, to keep our word when we are asked to act, and to speak peace when a word could inflame. Help us honor the quiet work you have given each of us, and make us people whose lives reflect the wisdom of those who seek peace. Guide our study today and our steps this week, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
