Table of Contents
2 Samuel
2 Samuel is the reign of David — about forty years, from the death of Saul to the last years of an old king. It falls into three movements: David rises (crowned over all Israel, Jerusalem taken, the ark brought home, the everlasting covenant given in chapter 7); David falls (Bathsheba, Uriah, and Nathan’s “thou art the man”); and David reaps (Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom’s rebellion, the sword that never left his house).
The book does not flatter its hero. The same David who dances before the LORD with all his might also sends a loyal man to die to cover his own sin — and the same God who makes an unbreakable promise to his throne also lets the consequences run their course. It is a portrait of grace and government together: forgiven, and still under the harvest of what he sowed. These studies go through it in order.
List Of Articles
How Are The Mighty Fallen
the Amalekite who claimed the kill and was executed for it, and David’s lament over the king who hunted him and the friend who loved him
2 Samuel 1A Long War Between Two Houses
seven years of civil war, Abner and Joab at the pool of Gibeon, a general murdered in the gate, and Ish-bosheth killed in his bed
2 Samuel 2-4David King Over All Israel
the tribes come to Hebron at last, the stronghold of Zion taken, and a king who “waxed greater and greater, for the LORD was with him”
2 Samuel 5David Danced Before The LORD With All His Might
the ark on a new cart, Uzzah struck down for steadying it, three months at the house of Obed-edom, and a king dancing in a linen ephod while his wife despised him
2 Samuel 6Thine House Shall Be Established For Ever
David wants to build God a house; God says He will build David one instead — a throne and a son and a kingdom without end
2 Samuel 7Is There Yet Any That Is Left Of The House Of Saul
victories on every border, and a lame man carried to the king’s table for Jonathan’s sake — kindness for the sake of a covenant
2 Samuel 8-10The Thing That David Had Done Displeased The LORD
a king who stayed home from the war, a roof, a bath, a message to Joab, and a loyal soldier carrying his own death warrant
2 Samuel 11Thou Art The Man
Nathan’s parable of the poor man’s one ewe lamb, a king who condemned himself, “I have sinned against the LORD,” and a child who did not live
2 Samuel 12The Sword Shall Never Depart From Thine House
Amnon’s crime against his sister Tamar, a father who was angry but did nothing, and Absalom waiting two years for revenge
2 Samuel 13Absalom Stole The Hearts Of The Men Of Israel
a manipulated reconciliation, four years of flattery at the gate, a conspiracy at Hebron, and David walking barefoot up the Mount of Olives, weeping
2 Samuel 14-15Let Him Curse, For The LORD Hath Bidden Him
Ziba’s lie, Shimei’s stones and curses, Ahithophel’s deadly counsel, and Hushai sent back to turn it into foolishness
2 Samuel 16-17O My Son Absalom, My Son, My Son
“deal gently for my sake with the young man,” a mule walking out from under him, three darts through the heart, and a king weeping in the chamber over the gate
2 Samuel 18The King Returned And Came To Jordan
a kingdom quarreling over who brings David home, mercy for Shimei, a torn settlement with Mephibosheth, and Sheba’s short revolt ended at a wall
2 Samuel 19-20Rizpah Suffered Neither Bird Nor Beast
a three-year famine for Saul’s broken oath, a mother guarding the bodies of her sons from harvest until the rains, and the three who broke through a garrison for a drink of water
2 Samuel 21, 23The LORD Is My Rock And My Fortress
David’s great song of deliverance, and his last words — “the Spirit of the LORD spake by me” — the sweet psalmist of Israel looking back
2 Samuel 22Neither Will I Offer That Which Doth Cost Me Nothing
a census taken in pride, three days of pestilence, the angel’s hand stayed at the threshingfloor of Araunah, and the price David refused to let be free
2 Samuel 24