20. Becoming a Refugee Again: the Place of Discipline (2 Samuel 15:13–37)

Now, David was forced to flee from his own son Absalom. David’s departure is marked by grief, reverence, and a quiet acceptance of the Lord’s will, capturing the deep emotional weight of the moment.

👉 Read 2Samuel 15:13 - 37

Q1. (13 – 18) We can summarize this passage with four points: David was very fearful and hastened to flee (verse       ). All his servants followed David (verses        ). They went on (        ). David left (              ) to attend the palace.

David was very fearful and hastened to flee (14 ). All his servants followed David (15, 18 ). They went on ( foot ). David left ( 10 concubines ) to attend the palace.

There are two different interpretations of David’s flight in 2 Samuel 15. The traditional view sees it as wise and humble—avoiding bloodshed and trusting God—while leaving the concubines is seen as a practical choice to maintain the palace. The modern critical view sees his retreat as self-preserving rather than courageous and leaving the concubines as unethical, leading to their abuse (2 Sam 16:22). Both views recognize this episode as a fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy (2 Sam 12:11) and a consequence of David’s past sin.

Q2. David advised (         ) to stay with the new king, for he was a foreigner. However, when he said, ‘As surely as (            ) lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means (        ) or (        ), there I will be as well,’ David granted him. 

David advised (  Ittai ) to stay with the new king, for he was a foreigner. However, when he said, ‘As surely as ( the LORD  ) lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means ( death  ) or ( life ), there I will be as well,’ David granted him.

Q3. Why do you think David commanded the ark of God to be returned to Jerusalem? (25–26)

David knew it would be meaningless to take the ark with him, for he was under God's discipline. Rather than attempting to forge God's favor, he demonstrated humble submission to the Lord’s sovereign decision—whether it meant restoration or rejection.

Q4. What was David’s plan when he heard Ahithophel had joined Absalom? (31, 34)

He prayed, ‘Make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.’

He sent Husai to Absalom as his spy

He knew only God could outwit him. Later, God made not Ahithophel foolish but Absalom foolish to listen to Husai’s advice. In this way, God answered David's prayer.

The author highlights several moments that reveal David’s heart—solemn and sorrowful—as he fled from Absalom, bearing the weight of grief, humility, and reverence before the Lord.

He paused at the spot some distance away from the city (v.17), showing his hesitation and grief. He gently asked Ittai, “Should I make you wander with us?” (v.20), reflecting his concern for others, for he was in God’s discipline. He admitted the possibility of God’s rejection, saying, “If He says, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then…” (v.26), revealing his humble submission. As he ascended the Mount of Olives, he wept along the way (v.30), and when he reached the summit—where he used to worship God—his sorrow deepened (v.32).

These are the moments when David is at his lowest—most humbled and most broken—yet it is from this place that restoration begins.