The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 17

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

2 Samuel 17 · Grade 4

The Lord Was at Work

Name Date

Read and Think

Ahithophel's plan was simple and dangerous. He wanted twelve thousand men to strike David that very night while he was weary, so that the people would scatter. Absalom and the elders of Israel were pleased.

Absalom wanted to hear Hushai too. Hushai said that this time Ahithophel's counsel was not good. He described David's men as mighty, chafed in their minds like a bear robbed of her cubs. He suggested gathering all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, with Absalom leading them himself. The men chose Hushai's plan. The writer explains why: Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel. God was answering David's prayer from chapter 15.

Jonathan and Ahimaaz carried the warning. When a boy saw them, they hid in a well, and a woman spread a covering and grain over it. David crossed the Jordan by night. At Mahanaim, three men, Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai, brought beds, basins, wheat, barley, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, and cheese for the hungry people.

Show What You Know

  1. Why was Ahithophel's plan dangerous?

  2. How did Hushai describe David's men?

  3. Which prayer was God answering?

  4. Where did three men bring food for David's people?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

wellwearycounsel
  1. He wanted twelve thousand men to strike David that very night while he was , so that the people would scatter.
  2. The writer explains why: Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good of Ahithophel.
  3. When a boy saw them, they hid in a , and a woman spread a covering and grain over it.

Think About It

  1. God answered David's prayer through Hushai's advice. How have you seen God work through ordinary people?

  2. Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai cared for weary people. Who around you needs that kind of practical help?

Memory Verse

“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.”

2 Samuel 17:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for sending people to help me. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you be brave to help someone in danger?
  • Why can even wise human plans fail when God has other purposes?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.