1. Be careful with whom you enter a

or agreement. (1 Corinthians 5:11, 15:33; Proverbs 13:20, 22:24-25; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

2. Political expedience (and any other decision we make or action we take) can come with

Reveal Answer

damage. (Philippians 2:4; Romans 14:12-13; Joshua 7:25; Matthew 14:6-9; Daniel 6:13-18)

3. God

Reveal Answer

what we never could and

Reveal Answer

in ways we might never expect. (Exodus 3:4; Numbers 22:27-29; 2 Peter 2:16; Acts 5:33-39; Job 33:14; 1 Kings 19:12; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 16:9, 19:21; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3; Lamentations 3:37)

4. Don’t make a

Reveal Answer

if you don’t intend on following through. (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Matthew 5:33, 37; Matthew 12:36; Proverbs 20:6; Titus 2:7-8)

5. May we yield

Reveal Answer

to Jesus over all His heart desires in us. (Romans 6:13, 12:1; James 4:7; Proverbs 3:5; Matthew 16:24; Galatians 2:20, 5:25)

Taking It Further to Help You THRIVE…

1. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

2. David agreed to enter into a covenant with Abner, and God would work out the details of this agreement. But there are times when this kind of engagement doesn’t go well. In what types of situations might we feel pressured to enter into an agreement (partnership, etc.) with someone when we shouldn’t? How should we respond?

3. David asked for his wife Michal to be returned to him. As Abner has her escorted back to David, we see her current husband Paltiel following along in tears (verse 16.) Sure, David was a man after God’s heart and sought to honor God - but it’s hard to overlook Paltiel. What are some examples of decisions we make where we fail to consider the damage the decision (whether good or bad) can cause? How do we reconcile Michal’s return to David and the heartbreak it caused Paltiel?

4. Regardless of what Abner thought, his speaking on behalf of David was really God accomplishing His will. Describe a way(s) you have seen God move / heard God speak that you didn’t expect. What do these moments teach us about God and our relationship with Him?

5. Abner expressed a desire to see David “reign over all [his] heart desires” (verse 21). This points to a picture of Jesus, our King who wants to rule over every area of our lives. What is an area of your life it is difficult/challenging for you to let Him reign over? Why?