SECOND SAMUEL
In First Samuel we have an account of the failure of Israel spiritually under
Eli, and politically under Saul. Second Samuel presents a brighter picture for
therein we read of the restoration of order through the enthroning of God’s
king, David. We also get from the same book the record of the establishment of
Israel’s political center in Jerusalem, and her religious center in Zion. When
all was thus ordered, the great Davidic Covenant was established by God,
Ch.7:25-29, out of which all kingdom truth is henceforth developed.
The book has four main divisions
:
1. Chs. 1 to 2:7. From the death of Saul to the anointing of David in Hebron as
king over Judah.
2. Chs. 2:8 to 5:5. From the anointing in Hebron to the establishment of David
over United Israel.
3. Chs. 5:6 to Ch. 14. From the conquest of Jerusalem to the rebellion of
Absalom.
4. Chs. 15 to 24. From the rebellion of Absalom to the purchase of the temple
site.
FROM THE DEATH OF SAUL TO THE ANOINTING OF DAVID IN HEBRON.
When David heard of the death of Saul and Jonathan he grieved very much. We
are told in Ch.1:18, that he bade those in authority to teach the children of
Judah the use of the bow, for much havoc was being wrought by their enemies by
the long distance shooting of the archers.
David remembered his call of God to the throne. He had waited patiently for God
to work for him, and now that Saul was dead he prayed and was led of the Lord to
go to Hebron, a city of Judah, Ch.2:1. The men of those parts came to David and
anointed him king over the house of Judah.
FROM THE ANOINTING IN HEBRON TO THE ENTHRONING OF DAVID OVER UNITED ISRAEL.
An attempt was made by Abner, captain of Saul’s army, to make Ish-bosheth, the
son of Saul, king over Israel. Civil war broke out which lasted a long time,
Ch.3:1. On a certain day, Abner had a quarrel with Ish-bosheth and turned from
him in favor of David. The two made a covenant and Abner went peacefully toward
his house. Joab, the head of David’s army, called Abner back, unbeknown to
David, and cruelly murdered him. This grieved the king very much and he showed
his nobility of character by following the body of Abner to the grave, Ch.
3:17-21, 27-32. Ish-besheth was afterwards murdered by two captains of his army
who brought the good news to David, but forfeited their lives for their black
deed, Ch. 4:5-12. Following these sad incidents of the civil war, the people of
Israel made David king over the united nation. His reign lasted forty years,
seven years and six months over Judah and thirty-three years over Israel and
Judah combined, Ch. 5:1-5.
FROM THE CONQUEST OF JERUSALEM TO THE REBELLION OF ABSALOM.
After king David was established on the throne of all Israel he took Jerusalem
from the Jebusites and made it his own headquarters. Thus the city became the
political capital of the nation, Ch.5:6-9. The Ark had been kept in the house of
Abindadab for about twenty years, see I Sam. 7:1-2. Now that David was
established in his kingdom he attempted to remove the Ark to his own city. By
disregarding the strict rules governing the transport of same, Uzzah, the son of
Abinadab lost his life as he steadied the Ark when it was shaken on the ox cart,
Ch.6:6-7. Someone has said the incident is a striking illustration of the
spiritual truth that blessing does not follow even the best intentions in the
service of God, except as that service is rendered in God’s way. The Ark should
have been carried by the sons of Kohath of the tribe of Levi, Num. 4:1-15. David
became fearful and had the Ark placed temporarily in the house of Obed-edom.
During its three months stay there God greatly blessed that household, showing
thereby His desire to help His people if they would only walk in the right way.
This time the Levites bare it, I Chronicles 15:26, and same was brought with
great rejoicing to a tabernacle in the city of David, specially prepared for it
by the king, v.7. Thus Zion was made the religious headquarters of the people.
In Ch. 7, we have a remarkable prophecy in which God promised King David an
everlasting house or dynasty, v.11. It is important in that the birth of Christ,
the Son of David is its fulfillment, in which the throne is established forever.
David blessed God for his kindness and boldly claimed the promise, vs.25-29, and
thus we have the first mention of the Davidic Covenant.
God greatly blessed David until his kingdom was one of the first and strongest
of his day. Out of the kindness of his heart and for Jonathan’s sake, he called
for Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was cripple in both his feet, and gave him
a home with himself and the best of care, Ch.9.
The sin of David against Bath-sheba and her husband Uriah, who was unfairly
exposed in war and allowed to be killed, is the one dark blot in David’s
history, Ch.11. God faithfully gives a true picture of His people, but never
fails to love with an everlasting love. Because of his sin, God judged David and
took by death his infant son who was born of Bath-sheba, Ch.12:22-23. Domestic
troubles broke out in David’s household. Ammon, his son, was killed by Absalom.
another son and the latter fled the country and was away three years. Later he
was restored to favor through the mediation of Joab, Ch.14, but proved to be a
real thorn in the side of David.
FROM THE REBELLION OF ABSALOM TO THE PURCHASE OF THE TEMPLE SITE.
Absalom in an underhanded way, turned the hearts of the people from King David
to himself, Ch.15:2-6. Finally he organized a rebellion and sought to take the
throne, vs.7-12. David wisely retired from Jerusalem to spare the city from
siege, and humbled himself before God that His will alone be done, vs.25-26. In
Ch. 16:5-10, we read of Shimei cursing David who took it all meekly, and
restrained one of his strong men from retaliating. What a lesson for us today.
Absalom was finally defeated and slain by Joab, Ch. 18:14. The death of his
favorite son grieved David but Joab rebuked him for caring less for the people
than he did for his wayward son, Ch. 19:6-7. A man named Sheba led a revolt and
sought to divide the kingdom. It was soon quelled and peace was restored one
more, Ch. 20:22.
In Ch. 22, we have a song of praise composed by David in which he recalls all
the goodness and mercy God had shown him, and in v.51, he declares that the Lord
is a tower of salvation. In Ch. 23, reference is made to David’s mighty men.
They had complained with him in his humiliation, and had learned through hard
knocks to become great fighters. Honorable mention is given to some, for their
deeds were useful as well as outstanding in their accomplishment. Of one man, it
is said that he stood alone in a field of lentils and defended it from the
Philistines, whom he slew, even though the rest of the people forsook him and
fled, vs. 11-12. How like some faithful souls of today who withstand the devil
and protect the church that there might be spiritual food for God’s people.
In the closing chapter we have an account of how David in pride of heart called
for a numbering of the people. The census showed that with Israel and Judah
combined thee were over a million men trained for war, Ch. 24:9. God was
displeased with this act of David and plague sent to their graves seventy
thousand of those same fighting men, v.15. After David humbled himself and
offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord, the plague was stayed
and the rest of the people spared. It never pays to glory in the flesh for the
saying that “pride goeth before a fall” is always true, and some suffer through
the pride of life that would otherwise be spared. David purchased the pot where
he made his sacrifice unto God, and it later became the site on which the temple
of Solomon was built.