In Psalm 3, the title says it is "a psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom." This historical note sets the scene for the psalm. The story is found in 2 Samuel 13-18. Absalom murdered his half- brother in revenge for raping his full-sister. David, instead of properly dealing with the issue merely expels Absalom from Jerusalem. Evidently, David, due to his past sin with Bathsheba and the resultant murder of her husband, had no moral high ground on which to deal with Absalom's sin. Absalom is later allowed back into Jerusalem but David banned him from his presence. Again, David fails to fulfill his kingly and fatherly duty to his wayward son. Absalom, who apparently is a very popular fellow, conspires to overthrow David and grab the kingship. The popular uprising that follows causes David to flee Jerusalem weeping, with bare feet and his head covered in shame. The "civil war" that developed resulted in the death of Absalom and David's return to the throne. So the Lord does answer David's prayer in Psalm 3, though probably not the way he had hoped. The Psalm is a lament and follows the usual pattern. The psalmist laments his current situation and calls out to the Lord for deliverance and then follows that with a statement of trust or confidence in the Lord's favourable response. What is notable here is that the problem David faces is largely because of his own sin and the main conspirator against him is his son, whom he loves. Questions for Discussion: 1. Slide 2-11. Why does adversity play such an important role in success? What does this teach us about adversity in our own lives? 2. Slide 16-17. What does the story of 2 Samuel 15:13-17:22 tell us about the importance of dealing with our family issues? How might David have better dealt with Absalom? 3. Slide 18. Why is David so confident when the mess he is in is because of his own sin? Why does he not fear that this is just his "just desserts;" God's punishment; what he deserves because of his sin? How does David's relationship with the Lord become evident and shine through the psalm? 4. Slide 19-20. Discuss David's dilemma in fighting against his own son? How must he have felt? How does David's prayer for God to arise directly relate to the skeptics scoffing in verse 2? 5. Slide 22. What lessons can you learn from this psalm when you are surrounded with problems?