Old Testament Survey:Book of 2 Samuel

“Before the Lord”

King David’s Kindness to

Mephibosheth

Background

• The author and date of writing are unknown.• Tradition attributes to Nathan and Gad• Bears Samuel’s name because of his place and

influence during this period• Covers time of David’s reign: 1055—1015 BC• Parallels history in 1 Chronicles 11-29• 1 and 2 Samuel one book, 1 and 2 Kings, the story

of the rise and fall of the monarchy

• David’s history begins in 1 Samuel and ends in 1 Kings.

• Four parts of his history:– His testings– His triumphs– His troubles– His testimonies

Background

• Main events: – David drives out the Jebusites and builds a strong

capital at Salem– Ushering in Jerusalem’s long and eventful history

• Center of the Hebrew nation, the city around which the remainder of the Bible revolves

– Subduing the Philistines

– The ark of the covenant returns– Kindness to Mephibosheth

Background

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• Key words— Before the Lord

• Key phrase—”Thou are the man.” (12:7)

• Key Verses:– 7:12,13– 22:21

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body,

and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I

will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

• Key words— Before the Lord 6:5,21; 7:18; 21:9

• Key Phrase—”sin very great before the Lord.” (2:17)

“Then David and all the house of Israel played

music before the LORD on all kinds of

instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed

instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on

cymbals.”

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• Key words— “David inquired of the Lord” 2:1; 5:19,23; 21:1

• Frequent references to David’s praying show his dependence on God and desire to please Him.

“It happened after this that David inquired of

the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?’

And the LORD said to him, ‘Go up.’ David

said, ‘Where shall I go up?’ And He said, ‘To

Hebron.’”

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• God’s presence in David’s life was very real as he lived as a:– Shepherd– Ruler– Warrior– Fugitive– Sinner– Penitent sinner– Musician – Poet

“Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king

over the house of Judah. And they told

David, saying, ‘The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried

Saul.’”

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• Key Chapter– Chapter 11

• Turning point in David’s life• Sinned grievously• Displeased the Lord• Nathan sent to reprove• David despised the

commandment of God.

“And when her mourning was over,

David sent and brought her to his

house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased

the LORD.”

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• Key Chapter– Chapter 11

• Punishment was administered quickly

• Consequences would follow David– Immediately– Later in life– 12:10-12

“Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your

house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the

wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your

wife.”

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• Key Chapter– Chapter 11

• David’s repentant heart

• He made no excuse• Two statements

– 12:13– 12:23– Psalm 51

“But now he is dead; why

should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I

shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Keys of the Book of 2 Samuel

• King David is the principal subject of 2 Samuel.

• First reigned in Hebron; then in Jerusalem– 7 years - Hebron– 33 years - Jerusalem

• The book records the highlights of his reign.

• Halfway between Abraham and Christ

“Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew

weaker and weaker.”

The Book’s Message

• David’s sin had far- reaching consequences.

• Sin does find us out.

• Very few happy moments after that

• Deaths of infant son and Absalom– Hosea 8:7– Numbers 32:23– Galatians 6:7

“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the

LORD; and be sure your sin will find you

out.”

The Book’s Appeal

• First to describe the king as the “Lord’s anointed”– 1:14– 24:6

• Same term is used to designate the Messiah or Christ

“So David said to him, ‘How

was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the

LORD'S anointed?’”

Notable Points

• Ruler likened to a shepherd– 5:2

• Uzzah’s death showed the necessity of obeying God.– 6:1ff

• Two parables– 12:1-7– 14:1-20

“Also, in time past, when Saul was king

over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to

you, 'You shall shepherd My people

Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’”

Notable Points

• David claimed his words came from God– 23:2

• David’s godliness

– 6:21,22

• His desire to build a temple– Chapters 7,8

“The Spirit of the LORD

spoke by me, and His word

was on my tongue.”

Notable Points

• God forbade David—a man of war—to build the temple.– 1 Chronicles 28:3

• David’s conduct resulted in the murder of his servant, Uriah.– 11:16-18

• Death of infant son– 12:18-22

“But God said to me, 'You shall

not build a house for My

name, because you have been a man of war and

have shed blood.’”

Notable Points

• David reproved by God– 12:1-7

• Retribution came when Absalom died.– Chapters 15-18

• David sinned in numbering the people.– 24:1ff

“Nevertheless the king's word prevailed

against Joab and against the captains of

the army. Therefore Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the

people of Israel.”

Notable Points

• God is not a respecter of persons.– 14:14

• David’s victories came from God.– 5:20

• Remorse and lament for Absalom– 18:32,33

• Followed God with his heart– 1 Kings 14:8

“Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And

as he went, he said thus: ‘O my son

Absalom-my son, my son Absalom-if only I

had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my

son!’”

Notable Points

More Information about David in the “Special

Studies” under “Reign of King David.”