THE BOOK OF SECOND SAMUEL

INTRODUCTION:

1.The SIX MONARCHICAL BOOKS of the Bible trace the political history of God’s chosen people from the beginning of the monarchy, through the division of the kingdom, to the fall of both ISRAEL (The Northern Kingdom) and the fall of JUDAH (The Southern Kingdom).

2.The Book of FIRST SAMUEL traces the beginnings of the monarchy, and the failure of King Saul.

3.SECOND SAMUEL tells of the expansion of the kingdom, the success of King David, and the beginning of an Eternal Dynasty of Kings.

a.It reviews the key events in the 40-year reign of David, who marks the halfway point between Abraham and Christ.

b.DAVID was not a man “after God’s heart” because he was perfect, for he was not perfect -- He made many mistakes.

c.However, he strongly desired that his steps be directed BY JEHOVAH, TO JEHOVAH’S HONOR, and TO THE GOOD OF JEHOVAH’S PEOPLE - 1Sa 23:2,4; 2Sa 2:1; 7:1-2.

4.DATE: This Book probably was written about 900 BC. It covers forty years from the death of SAUL (About 1010 BC) to just before the death of DAVID (About 970 BC).

5.AUTHOR: We cannot be sure; It may have been written by Nathan and Gad - 1Chapter 29:29-30.

6.These notes will survey the Book in THREE SEPARATE DIVISIONS:

a.David’s Triumphs - Chapters 1-10.

b.David’s Transgressions - Chapters 11-14.

c.David’s Troubles - Chapters 15-24.

1.DAVID’S TRIUMPHS -- CHAPTERS 1-10: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KING DAVID IN THE MONARCHY.

A.DAVID’S REIGN IN A DIVIDED NATION; CIVIL WAR -- CHAPTERS 1-4:

1.Chapter 1, David Mourned The Death Of Saul And Jonathan.

a.Was Saul’s death a suicide (1Sa 31:3-5)? Or was he killed (2Sa 1:1-16)?

1)Possibly the Amalekite was telling a lie in order to claim glory for himself, thinking David would approve instead of disapprove.

2)Note that David refused to kill God’s anointed, and would not tolerate its being done, Verses 14-16.

b.In a poem, David forgot injuries and considered only pleasant things, Verses
17-27. (Could we say Verse 23a about our “Sauls”?)

2.Chapter 2, David Began His Reign In Civil War.

a.David was anointed to be the King of Judah; The Capital City was Hebron, Verses 3-4a.

b.Isbosheth, Saul’s son, was made a puppet king over the eleven Northern tribes by Abner, Commander of Saul’s army; Those tribes did not yet accept David as Saul’s successor, Verses 8-10.

c.David reigned in Hebron over Judah for a period of seven and one-half years, Verse 11.

d.He conducted himself with calm restraint, as he waited for God to do His will in His way at His time, cf Verse 1.

e.David’s forces, under Joab, defeated Abner and Israel, Verses 17,30-32.

3.Chapter 3, Abner Deserted To David; Joab Murdered Abner.

a.During the long civil war, David grew stronger while Israel grew weaker,
Verse 1.

b.Abner turned from Ishbosheth and promised Israel to David, Verse 12.

c.Abner knew all along that he was wrong in opposing David, Verses 9-10,
17-18.

d.Joab took Abner aside and stabbed him in revenge for Abner’s having earlier killed Joab’s brother, Verses 30-31,38.

4.Chapter 4, The Murder Of Ishbosheth.

a.At the death of Abner, Ishbosheth and Israel lost the desire to fight, Verse 1.

b.Here we are introduced to Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, Verse 4.

c.Ishbosheth was murdered; Then David executed his murderers, Verses 7-12.

B.DAVID’S REIGN OVER A UNITED NATION -- CHAPTERS 5-7:

1.Chapter 5, David Became King Over All Israel.

a.The Leaders knew all along David was God’s choice, Verse 2.

b.David was anointed King, Verses 3-5.

c.Their words showed that David’s right to the kingdom rested on three principles:

1)His human kinship: WE ARE THY BONE AND THY FLESH, Verse 1.

2)His proven leadership: THOU LEDDEST OUT AND BROUGHTEST IN ISRAEL, Verse 2.

3)His Divine orders: THE LORD SAID UNTO THEE: THOU SHALT FEED MY PEOPLE ISRAEL, AND . . . BE A CAPTAIN OVER ISRAEL, Verse 2.

NOTE: The same three things are true of Christ’s right to be King of our lives.

d.David captured Jerusalem and made it the center of government of the United Nation, Verses 6-7.

e.David grew to be a great man; He defeated the Philistines, Verses 10-12,17,25.

2.Chapter 6, David Brought The Ark To Jerusalem; This Then Made Jerusalem Also The Religious Center Of The Nation.

a.The ark was to be carried by poles through rings on its sides so as not to be touched; Hence, the sudden death of Uzzah when he touched the ark, Verses 6-7; Num 4:15; 1Ch 15:2,13.

LESSON: God’s work must be done in God’s way; There are to be NO EXCEPTIONS; There is NEVER any room for Variance from GOD’S WAY.

b.Michal despised David for dancing; He seemed to despise her in return, Verses 16,20-23.

3.Chapter 7, David Was Forbidden To Build The Temple; The Davidic Covenant.

a.David wanted to build God a HOUSE (that is, a temple), Verse 2; But God said He would build David a HOUSE (that is, a dynasty -- “A succession of kings of the same line or family”),vv10-16.

b.The great “Davidic Covenant” thus called for the Messiah to come from David’s line; That is, to come through David’s family, Verses 28-29.

c.This is clearly a “dual prophecy” -- The near and primary fulfillment was in David’s son, SOLOMON.

1)SOLOMON built the temple David had envisioned, Verse 13.

2)SOLOMON was chastened by God for his sin, Verse 14.

d.The ultimate and greater fulfillment was and is in David’s Son, THE MESSIAH.

1)The Old Testament spoke of a future time when David’s fallen house would be restored - Amos 9:11; cf Hos 3:5.

2)The New Testament claims a complete and final FULFILLMENT of this prophecy in CHRIST and the CHURCH -- See these passages: Lk 1:30-33; Ac 2:29-31; 15:12-18.

C.DAVID’S REIGN OVER AN EXPANDING NATION -- CHAPTERS 8-10: THIS WAS THE ZENITH OF DAVID’S 40-YEAR REIGN.

1.Chapter 8, The Full Establishment Of David’s Kingdom.

a.David succeeded in war against the surrounding political powers, Verses
11-12,14.

b.David was building the insignificant nation of ISRAEL into a mighty power, Verse 15.

2.Chapter 9, David’s Kindness To Mephibosheth, Verses 1,7,13.

NOTE: This is an example of how we should treat the less fortunate, cf Mt 7:12.

3.Chapter 10, Great Victories Over The Ammonites And The Syrians.

NOTE: All this consolidation of power by now had made Israel perhaps the strongest power on earth, cf Verse 19a.

2.DAVID’S TRANSGRESSIONS -- CHAPTERS 11-14: THIS WAS A SAD TURNING-POINT FROM THE GLORY THAT HAD PRECEDED.

A.DAVID’S SIN AND GOD’S JUDGMENT:

1.Chapter 11, David’s Adultery With Bathsheba.

a.David committed adultery; Then tried to hide one sin by committing another when he exposed Uriah to death in battle, Verses 2,4-5,14-17,26-27 (sin always gets worse).

b.Note the honesty of the Bible in reporting this incident.

c.This marks the pivotal point of the Book: SIN changed David’s VICTORIES to TROUBLES (Personal Troubles, Family Troubles, and National Troubles).

d.David’s glory and fame began to fade, and it was never the same again (“The bird with the broken pinion never flies as high again”).

e.If DAVID, a spiritual giant, could be tempted, then what about us? - 1Pe 5:8-9.

2.Chapter 12, Nathan’s Parable; David’s Confession; The Child’s Death; Solomon’s Birth; More Victories.

a.God was not asleep -- He sent Nathan to David, Verses 1-12.

b.See David’s broken heart and his remorse, Verse 13a; Compare Psa 51:1-4a.

c.God forgave and restored David, but Nathan said he would have trouble from this time forward, Verses 13b-14.

1)The fallen giant got up and grew again, but had trouble and sorrow.

LESSON: God’s forgiveness is abundant and free (be thankful!), but we may still have to bear bitter consequences because of sin.

2)Augustine: “David’s fall should put on guard all who have not fallen, and save from despair all those who have fallen.”

d.Bathsheba’s son became Very ill; David fasted on his behalf, but the child died, Verses 15-21.

1)Already (very soon), again David towers as a giant, Verses 22-23.

2)Let us learn that we may not be able to change things, but we surely can change ourselves.

3.Chapter 13, Rape; Murder; Estrangement Of Father And Son.

a.True to Nathan’s prophecy, much more trouble came.

b.Now we have the sordid story of Amnon (David’s son) raping his sister, Tamar, Verses 1-20.

c.Absalom (also David’s son) then murdered Amnon for his crime against his sister, Verses 21-36.

d.Absalom fled; David mourned, Verses 37-39.

4.Chapter 14, Absalom And David Reunited.

a.Through a woman’s long story about her sons, Joab convinced David to send for Absalom, Verses 1-22.

b.After two years of complicated procedures, the reunion between the King and his son took place, Verses 23-33.

3.DAVID’S TROUBLES -- CHAPTERS 15-24: THE DYNASTY WAS PLAGUED BY INTERNAL CORRUPTION AND EXTERNAL FORCE,
AS THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN CONTINUED.

A.ABSALOM ATTEMPTED TO OVERTHROW DAVID -- CHAPTERS 15-18:

1.Chapter 15, Absalom’s Conspiracy; David Fled For His Life.

a.Absalom stole the people’s affections, Verses 1,5-6.

b.The rebellion of Absalom drove David into exile, Verses 10,
12-14,17,23,30,37; cf Psa 3.

2.Chapter 16, The Tangled Web Got More Tangled.

a.A servant of Mephibosheth brought some provisions to David, Verses 1-4.

b.A man named Shimei cursed David, Verses 5-14.

c.Absalom was proclaimed King at Jerusalem, Verses 15-19.

d.The immoral counsel of Ahithophel to Absalom, Verses 20-23.

3.Chapter 17, The Plot Thickened Even More.

a.Later there was conflicting counsel by Ahithophel and Hushai, Verses 1-14.

b.Hushai sent spies to advise David of the bad situation, Verses 15-22.

c.Ahithophel committed suicide, Verse 23.

d.Absalom pursued David, Verses 24-26.

e.Friends supplied David’s needs, Verses 27-29.

4.Chapter 18, Absalom Was Killed; David Grieved.

a.The showdown battle finally came, Verses 5-7.

b.Absalom was caught in a tree and was killed by Joab and his armor-bearers, Verses 14-15.

c.A runner brought the news to David; David was terribly grieved, Verses 31-33.

B.CONTINUING UNREST AND VIOLENCE -- CHAPTERS 19-20:

1.Chapter 19, There Was Momentary Calmness; Then Conflict.

a.David was restored to power, Verses 1-40.

b.Conflict over David’s headquarters broke out between ten Northern Tribes and two Southern Tribes, Verses 41-43.

2.Chapter 20, A Revolt, And Its Defeat.

a.Sheba led Israel in revolt against David, Verses 1-2.

b.Sheba was pursued by David’s army under Joab, Verses 7,15.

c.A wise woman averted war, Verses 16,20-22.

C.DAVID’S FINAL WORDS AND ACTS -- CHAPTERS 21-24:

1.Chapter 21, A Famine; A Hanging; A War.

a.At this point in time, a famine came on the land because of Saul’s
viciousness, Verse 1.

b.Because of the famine, the Gibeonites wanted, and got, seven of Saul’s sons, whom they hanged, Verses 6,9.

c.The Philistines and several giants among them were defeated in various battles with David’s forces, Verses 15-22.

2.Chapter 22, David’s Song Of Thanksgiving. (This chapter is almost the same
as Psa 18).

3.Chapter 23, David’s Last Psalm; His Thirty-Seven Mighty Men.

a.In this chapter we hear the “sweet Psalmist of Israel” who spoke by inspiration, Verses 1-3.

b.Here, near the end of his life, David thought of his just reign, his Psalms, his devotion to God’s Word, God’s covenant with him of an eternal kingdom, and the final destruction of the ungodly.

c.This chapter tells of 37 mighty men who served David.

4.Chapter 24, A Census; A Plague; A Threshing Floor.

a.We do not know what David’s sin was; It may have been that he trusted the greatness of his kingdom rather than trusting implicitly in the power of God, Verse 10.

b.God’s punishment upon Israel was a plague, Verse 15.

c.This chapter gives the account of ARAUNAH, and DAVID the spiritual giant, Verses 18-25.

**CONCLUSION:

1.The two Books of SAMUEL cover a critical period in Israel’s history.

2.They are vital in the development of the Messianic theme of the Old Testament.

3.They teach us that obedience brings God’s blessing; And, disobedience brings God’s judgment.

a.The consequences of sin cannot be avoided, even though sin can be forgiven.

b.The Nation enjoyed God’s blessing when David was obedient to God, and suffered hardship when David disobeyed God.

**THE GREAT KING DAVID:

1.David’s 33 year reign in Jerusalem (the final 33 years over all Israel) brought the Nation from the brink of ruin under the heel of the Philistines, and transformed it into a powerful empire.

2.He sometimes failed in personal life; But generally he was a true servant of God, obedient to God’s law; And he was AN IDEAL KING.

3.Unlike all successive kings, he never had the problem of idolatry in the Nation.

4.He was the standard by which all later kings were measured.

5.His two great accomplishments were the expansion of the Kingdom and the writing of his Psalms.

**CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOOK OF SECOND SAMUEL TO THE BIBLE:

1.FIRST SAMUEL shows how the kingdom was established.

2.SECOND SAMUEL shows how Israel was unified, how it obtained Jerusalem as its capital, how it subdued its enemies, extended its boundaries, and achieved economic prosperity.

3.SECOND SAMUEL records the beginning of an endless dynasty.

**CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF SECOND SAMUEL:

1.David is one of the most important types of Christ seen in the Old Testament.

2.Christ is THE SON OF DAVID Who now sits upon the throne - Isa 9:7; Mt 21:9;22:41-46; Rom 1:3-5; 1Ti 6:15.

**SECOND SAMUEL IN THREE WORDS:

Triumphs -- Transgressions -- Troubles; OR:

Success -- Failure -- Trials.

IS THE SON OF DAVID YOUR KING?