1. Theme King David-Forerunner of the Messiah
2 Samuel
Theme
King David-Forerunner of the Messiah

2. The 2nd Book of Samuel
Author: Unknown, but in I Chronicles 29:29 it mentions 3 sources:
The book of Samuel the seer
The book of Nathan the prophet
The book of Gad the seer
Gad and Abiathar had access to the court events of David’s reign and one or both of them may have contributed to these books.

3. Other Introductory Information
Dates: Covers between 931 and 722 B.C.
Key Persons: David, Nathan, Absolom, Joab, Bathsheba
Content-Deals with the ascendance of David to the throne of Israel and the 40 years of his reign. He is the focal point.

4. Personal Application
The book unfolds God’s working in history. Although human beings were sinful and must sometimes be punished by Him, God still worked through them to accomplish His redemptive purpose, fully realized in Jesus Christ, the Messiah and King of Kings. Now the church works like the body of Christ to carry out His purposes on the Earth today.

5. I David as Loyalist and Lamenter-Chapt 1
The book begins with the death of Saul
An Amalekite brings the news that Saul and Jonathan are dead and Saul’s forces defeated.
He claims to have finished off Saul, probably to receive a reward and brought Saul’s crown and bracelet as proof. This also showed his support for David as king.
David mourned and then had the messenger killed.

6. David’s Song: The Song of the Bow
The Bow and Arrow were symbols of military might
The bow and arrow is also a symbol for the fighting men of Saul’s tribe, the Benjamites
“The mighty” refer to Saul and Jonathan
David again expresses his respect and love for both of them

7. II. Chapter 2-4:12 David as Regional King
David’s 1st recorded action after mourning:
“He inquired of the Lord”. He prays for guidance for himself and for blessings on others.
He moved to Hebron with His men
He blessed the men of Jabesh Gilead who buried Saul and his sons
Joab, David’s nephew is his commander

8. Ishbosheth Made King of Saul’s Kingdom
His original name Esh-Baal meant “Fire of Baal” or “Destroyer of Baal”
Ishbosheth means “Man of Shame”
We don’t know why he was not killed in the war in which his brothers and Father were killed
His servants were those soldier who survived the defeat at Gilboa with Saul
His commander was Abner the son of Ner

9. Israel and Judah Go to War
Abner suggests a contest of 12 of his men against 12 of David’s men to decide the fate of the nation-but all 24 are killed so war begins and Abner loses.
Asahel, Joab’s brother pursues pursued Abner but Abner kills him.
Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Abner. Abner backed by the Benjamites calls out for peace which stopped the killing temporarily, but fighting continued off and on for some time.

10. Sons of David & The Covenant with Abner
David had 6 wives during his time at Hebron and each one gave him a son.
Abner (Ishbosheth’s commander) was accused of laying with Saul’s concubine. This was treason because it meant he was claiming to be Saul’s successor.
This accusation caused Abner to make a covenant with David in which he had to get Michal (David’s first wife) back for David. This remarriage meant that David had no ill will towards the house of Saul.
A feast marked the truce and then David sent Abner away in peace

11. Joab Murders Abner.
Joab tells David Abner was there to deceive him and without David’s knowledge he sends for Abner to come back
Upon his arrival Joab murders Abner because he had killed his brother.
David mourns and buries Abner with honors
This is the beginning of strife between David and Joab.
David’s actions was a public statement that it was not his intent to murder Abner which pleased the northern tribes

12. Ishbosheth is Murdered
Ishbosheth’s captains of his army came and killed him in his own house, beheaded him and take his head to David.
David has them killed for killing an innocent man in his own bed (but there is no mourning)
This again tells the northern tribes that David in not against those of Saul’s kingdom.

13. III. David as National King Chapt 5
The Northern Kingdom turns to David for Leadership and he was anointed king at age 30 in Hebron (same age as Jesus when he started his earthly ministry)
David moves to Jerusalem which was on the border between the northern tribes and Judah thus symbolizing unity
He conquered the city from the Jebusites
V9 David built on the Millo meaning landfill which was done to level part of the land
King of Tyre, Hiram sends lumber and builders to build David a new house signifying David is acknowledged as the national king.
David took more wives and concubines and had many more children.
David defeated the Philistines twice.

14. IV. David as the Ark Custodian-Chapt 6
David takes 30,000 men to bring the Ark to Jerusalem
It has been in the house of Abinadab for 70 years
The ark was the center of the nation’s worship of God and was their most sacred possessions.
David erred in not inquiring of the Lord and not following His instructions for moving the ark in Ex. 25.
Uzzah died when he reached out to steady the ark
David is angered at the Lord
He stops the processional and leaves the ark for 3 months at the house of the Levite, Obed-Edom whose house is immediately blessed by its presence

15. David Tries Again
This times he does “over-kill” to correct his errors. The priest carry the ark and after every 6 paces oxen or sheep were sacrificed.
He dances in excitement with his kingly robes set aside. Everyone is singing and dancing.
Michal despised him and rebuked him
David insults her & she is set aside for the rest of her life.

16. Spiritual Lessons to Learn from these Events
Leaders should understand that their ministry is holy and their responsibilities should be carried out in reverence to the Lord. To represent God is wonderful, but can also be dangerous.
Worshipping the Lord with your whole being is an appropriate response to God.
Be careful to not criticize those who worship God in ways that are unfamiliar to you. Such criticism could result in unfruitfulness in your own life.

17. V. David As Head of a House-Chapt 7
David realizes his house is nicer than God’s house (the tabernacle)
God reminds him (through Nathan the Prophet) that David’s calling is to shepherd God’s people-not build God a house.
Nathan prophesizes that David’s house will continue forever- fulfilled through Christ and the nation of Israel
David sets in awe before the Lord in the tabernacle and expresses his gratitude.
David realizes that God blesses because He is faithful to His word and He has a generous heart or being(v21)

18. Spiritual Lessons from this Chapter
When God says “No” it doesn’t necessarily mean we have sinned
God’s plans for us are infinitely greater than any plans we have for God.
David is interested in a project; God is interested in people
When God says “no” it is not necessarily rejection but redirection.

19. VI. David as Warrior 8-10:19 2 Parts of Chapter 8
The expansion of David’s empire eastward, northeast, northward and southward
David surrounds himself with:
Military personnel
Administrative personnel
Priestly Personnel

20. David’s Exploits in Chapter 8
David neither seeks God for guidance nor does he give God the credit for these victories
He does not hoard the spoils of war for himself-they were dedicated to the Lord
He had a lot of people killed:
1. Moabites-2/3 of them killed? Or the tallest
2. Arameans-22,000
3. Edomites-18,000

21. David Appoints Some Unknown Men as Priests
Zadok- From the family of Aaron through Eleaszar and served at the tabernacle in Gibeon. Later became the founder of the group of priests known as Sadducees
Some of David’s sons- (some translations call them chief ministers or “princes of the court”)
*It appears that David appointed and dismissed priests as he saw fit.
*It appears that David found living with plenty more challenging than living with little or nothing

22. Chapt. 9 David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
The only survival of Saul’s household is Jonathan’s handicapped son, Mephibosheth.
David extends kindness to him because of his covenant with Jonathan. David kept his covenants.
When Mephibosheth was 5 years old, he and his nurse were fleeing for their lives after the death of Saul and Jonathan at the battle of Jezreel. In the urgency of fleeing quickly he somehow fell and was injured in both feet which left him permanently crippled.
Mephibosheth was allowed to stay and eat at the kings table for the rest of his life and live as one of David’s sons. Jesus restores us unto God as our redeemer so that we can be restored as “sons”
David preserves the house of Saul-God preserves the house of David.

23. Chapt. 10: The Ammonites & Syrians Defeated
Ammon is now the modern nation of Jordan.
Ammonites were descendants of Lot.
Hanun, king of the Ammorites had been loyal to David, but his father, Nahash had been a source of terror to the Transjordanians.
David sends a delegation to Hanun as an act of kindness (mourners) because his father had just died.
In reaction to the advice of his advisers Hanun treated David’s servants shamefully (shaved off half of the beard and half of their robes)
David send his delegation to the city of Palms for a time of recovery.

24. Joab Sent Out
David send Joab and his brother Abishai to fight against the Syrians and the Ammonites and they defeated them.
Then the Syrians regathered to fight against Israel.
Again they fled and David’s army killed 40,000.

25. Section VII: David as Adulterer, Murderer, and Penitent Chapter 11-12
After the winter rainy season David renews his determination to punish the people of Ammon for humiliating David’s delegation.
He send Joab and/or Abishai (according to Chronicles) to fight against the Ammonites
The Arameans made peace with Israel and became subject to them
While the army is away David sees Bathsheba and trouble starts.

26. David Inquires
He inquires about the “woman” he saw bathing (though he has many wives).
She was the daughter of Eliam. His father was one of David’s advisors, who later went to the side of Absolom and advised him to sleep with David’s concubines on the roof.
She is the wife of Uriah the Hittite. He was a loyal Hittite mercenary in David’s army. He is listed as one of David’s 37 mighty men in 23:39.

27. Note David’s Downward Spiral
Looked-lusted-inquired-made plans and then carried them out.
James 1: Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial (temptation); for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life (meaning abundant life now-not just later) which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
When inner desires respond to outward enticement-sin is spawned

28. Bathsheba: What We Don’t Know
We don’t know if she tried to entice David by purposefully bathing in his sight or if she was innocently bathing in the most discreet place she had.
We don’t know if she came willingly (not much choice) or not.
Was she raped or was it consensual?
We do know that what David did was very wrong and got worse as he refused to acknowledge his wrong.
How could the tenderhearted man that refused to kill Saul, the man who felt guilty for cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe do these treacherous things?
If we entertain sin in our mind it will pollute our heart no matter how noble we have been in the past.

29. David’s Ascent Downward
Bathsheba sends word to David that she is pregnant
David sends for Uriah and tries to get him to sleep with his wife, which he refuses to do. The next day he gets him drunk and tries again and again loyal Uriah stays at the palace and refuses to go home.
Sent a letter to Joab (with Uriah) to tell him to put Uriah in the hottest part of the battle and to withdraw from him so that he would be killed. Uriah was killed.
David then takes Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba as his wife.

30. Chapter 12: Nathan Comes to David
Prov 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
Nine months to a year pass and it may have seemed that everything is okay and that no one knows what has happened, but God knows and He is displeased with David (1st time).
God send Nathan the Prophet with a parable about a poor man and his beloved pet lamb and a rich man who has many flocks and herds of sheep and goats. When a visitor came the rich man took the poor man’s pet and slaughtered it for the stranger rather than one of his own flock.
David was enraged at the rich man who had no pity and took advantage of the poor man (illustrating the deceitfulness of sin)
Nathan informs David “He is the man”

31. What Had God Given to David?
I anointed you king over Israel
I delivered you out of the hand of Saul
I gave you your master’s house (kingdom)
I gave you your master’s wives (?)
I gave you the combined kingdom of Israel and Judah
Yet You did evil in My sight and despised the commandment of the Lord and killed Uriah the Hittite.

32. David Loses the Favor of the Lord
The Sword will never depart from your house
Someone from your own family will become your enemy
Your wives will be taken away from you and given to another
Your son with Bathsheba will die
Note: The law demanded that when something was stolen
and the thief caught he had to repay fourfold. (Ex. 22).
The law also required death of a person that murdered
another or committed adultery-even for a king (Ex 21:12,
Lev. 20:10). Because of David repentance (for his sin against
the Lord) he was not killed, but he did have to suffer the
other consequences of his sin.

33. The Grace of God Extended
David and Bathsheba had another son, Solomon and “the Lord loved him”
David’s army defeats the Ammonites.

34. Section VIII David as Father of a Family in Turmoil Chapter 13-14
Two years later: David is 53, Amnon is 22, Absalom is 20 and Tamar is 15 and Solomon is 2. Amnon is considered the heir to the throne.
Amnon “desires” his half sister Tamar.
With the help of his cousin, Jonadab he devises a plan to fake sickness to get her in his bedroom where he forcible rapes her and then rejects her and refuses to marry her as required by law.
When David heard of this act he was angry, but refused to do anything about it (law required death in the case of incest),
because he loved Amnon and he was his firstborn (love was the excuse used for David and Amnon sin)
When Absalom finds out he hates Amnon and makes plans to kill him.
Two years later Absalom carries out the murder of Amnon and flees to live with Talmai his maternal grandfather, the king of Geshur.

35. Chapter 14 Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
Joab sends a woman with a made-up story to try and get David to let his son Absalom come back and it works.
Absalom moves back, but is not welcome in David’s house.
Absalom gets angry at Joab because he won’t obey his summons and so he sets Joab’s fields of barley on fire.
Joab goes to David for Absalom, and his son is allowed to return to David. David kisses him

36. Section IX: David as Refugee and Distraught Father Chapter 15-18
Chapter 15 Absalom’s Treason
He was deceitful by stealing the hearts of the people through putting David down and elevating himself.
He was pretentious by providing himself with horses, chariots and 50 men to run in front of him.
He plots his next move for 4 years (disagreement over the use of 40 years)
He deceived his father by professing devotion to God as an excuse to leave Jerusalem

37. David Flees David chooses to flee rather than to fight his son.
He leaves behind 10 of his concubines perhaps because he felt he would be returning soon.
Many mercenaries, Gittites and priests go with him, but no mention of his other sons.
David turns down the Levites’ request to carry the ark out of Jerusalem.
David sends the priests and his friend, Hushai back to Jerusalem to keep him informed.

38. Chapter 16 Mephibosheth’s Servant
Ziba (formerly Saul’s servant-then given to Mephibosheth) comes out to meet David with food and donkeys and tells David that Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem and wants the kingdom returned to himself (maybe a lie).
David gives the land back to Ziba
Shimei curses David (distant relative of Saul) and throws rocks at David but David refuses to do anything about it.
Ahithophel advices Absalom to go to David concubines “in the sight of all Israel” (in a tent) to indicate he was taking succession to the throne.

39. Chapter 17 More Advice from Ahithophel
He suggested that he take 12,000 men and pursue David immediately.
He promised to strike only David and bring back everyone else.
Absalom also asks advice of Hushai who advices against the other plan by stating that David will be hid by now and separated from the rest of the group. Absalom likes his advice and takes time to gather a larger army.
Then Hushai sends a warning to David and Ahithophel kills himself.

40. Comparison of Judas and Ahithophel (Chapter 17)
David crosses the Kidron
David goes to the Mt of Olives
Ahithophel betrays David
Ahithophel commits suicide by hanging
Jesus crosses the Kidron
Jesus goes to the Mt of Olives
Judas betrays Jesus
Judas commits suicide by hanging

41. Chapter 18 Absalom’s Defeat and Death
David picks up support and an army in the time Absalom takes to gather his army
David asks his army to deal gently with Absalom.
20,000 men died
A man reported to Joab that he saw Absalom caught by his hair in a large Oak tree.
Joab goes out and thrust 3 spears through Absalom’s heart and his servants finish him off.
Two servants run and tell David (carefully) about the victory over Israel and indirectly about Absalom’s death.
David Mourns

42. Section 10 David as One Who Fights Adversity Chapter 19 & 20
Chapter 19 David Mourns, returns to Jerusalem and has mercy on Shimei
Joab rebukes David for mourning his enemy and shaming his own army who risks their lives to defend David.
David replaces Joab with Amasa (Absalom’s commander) A pardon & reward!
He works to heal the breach that the rebellion has caused.
Confronts Mephibosheth and decides to divide the estate in half with Ziba (who knows which one was lying)

43. Chapter 20 The Rebellion of Sheba
Sheba leads a secessionist movement by calling Israel to war against David.
David sends Amasa to call together an army in 3 days- He fails.
Joab and his brother takes matters into their own hands and pursue Sheba with an army and the mighty men.
On the way they meet Amasa and Joab kills him
They besiege the city Abel for Sheba and in wisdom the city kills him and throws Joab his head to save themselves.

44. Section XI: David as Executioner, Militarist, Hymnist, and Census Taker Chapter 21-24
This section is a collection of miscellaneous materials about David which have been added as an appendix

45. Chapter 21 David Avenges the Gibeonites
The Gibeonites were descendants of the men that had tricked Joshua into making a pact with them for protection and they would be servants of the Israelites
After a famine of 3 years David sought the cause and the Lord said it was because Saul had violated this pact and killed many of them. (God’s representatives also had to be covenant keepers)
To correct this David asked them what they wanted and they said 7 men descendants of Saul. (better 7 men die than a whole nation).
Rizpah (concubine of Saul) is forced to give up her 2 sons as part of the ransom. She defends their staked bodies for months until David hears of it and takes their bodies and the bones of Saul and Jonathan and buries them all together.
Michal (or Merah another daughter of Saul) has to give up her 5 sons from her husband Adriel.
David’s men defend David and kill 4 giant Philistines.
His army advise David to stay home from war after he grows faint.

46. Chapter 22 Praise for God’s Deliverance (also found in Ps 18.)
The placement of this psalm shows that David has not lost sight of the significance of the reality and presence of God in his life.
Both Moses and David record a hymn of praise to God at the end of their life (also there are 5 books of the law and 5 divisions in the Psalms)
Some see part of the song as self edification or self justification-most state it should be seen as God’s grace given to a sinner who had a heart for God

47. Chapter 23 David Looks to the Future in His Last Words.
1st section David’s Last prophecy
2Sa 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.
Compare and contrast Joshua’s last words in Joshua 24:1-28 and David’s last words here in 23:1-7

48. Chapter 23 cont. David’s Mighty Men
Seems to be unspoken reasons why some are mentioned a lot and others are not.
Should be noted that Joab, David’s chief commander during most of his reign is not mentioned (but his brothers are!)
Uriah the Hittite is mentioned (last)

49. Chapter 24 David’s Census of Israel and Judah
Here we see that the translation says God is angry and incites David to take a census
In I Chronicles 21 it says Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to count the people
David ordered Joab to go out and take the census which took over 9 months. Joab saw the error of doing this (counting warriors to have confidence in the number of them and not God)
800,000 men in Israel that could draw the sword
500,000 men in Judah

50. Chapter 24 cont. The Judgment on David’s Sin
David realizes that he has done wrong
Gad (David’s Seer) comes and gives him a choice of punishment:
Seven Years of Famine
Fleeing for 3 months from his enemies
Three days of plague in your land
David chose the last one and the death angel started in the North at Dan and went to south of Jerusalem in Beersheba-70,000 people die.

51. Chapter 24 The Altar on the Threshing Floor
The Plague comes towards Jerusalem and is stopped by God at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (same site where Abraham was to offer Isaac).
David functioned as prophet, priest and king. Later Christ fulfilled the same functions and now the N.T. church.
David bought the threshing floor, the oxen to sacrifice (50 shekels of silver) and the land (600 shekels of gold).
David refused to give God an offering that cost him nothing (that is why wild game could not be used)
There he built an altar to the Lord and offers burnt offerings.