The Reign of David

2 Samuel 1-9

2 Samuel picks up where 1 Samuel left offIt serves as a transition from the reign of Saul

to the reign of DavidStarts with death of SaulAn attempt of Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to reign

as kingDavid’s rise to power

First at HebronThen Jerusalem

This is the dawn of the Golden Age of Israel

Historical Setting

This text differs from the account in 1 Samuel1 Samuel reports Saul falling on his own sword2 Samuel reports an Amalekite killed him

Which one should be believe?

Saul’s Death 1:6-10

Why are the two accounts differentThe account given by the Amalekite is not

presented as an actual record of what happened but of only what the Amalekite said happenedThe Amalekite expected a reward for this newsHe was lying expecting a cordial welcome from

David

Different accounts of Saul’s Death

And David called one of the young men and said, "Go, cut him down." 

So he struck him and he died.David said to him, "Your blood is on your head,

for your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have

killed the LORD'S anointed.' “2 Samuel 1:15-16

The Amalekite’s Reward

It has always been customary for Eastern people, on the death of great kings and warriors, to celebrate their qualities and deeds in funeral songs This is one of the eloquent eulogies in all of the Bible

This lament is supposed by many to have become a national war song, and to have been taught to the young Israelites under the name of "The Bow," in conformity with the practice of Hebrew and many classical writers in giving titles to their songs from the principal theme

Although the words "the use of" are a supplement by our translators, they may be rightly introduced, for the natural sense of this parenthetical verse is, that David took immediate measures for instructing the people in the knowledge and practice of archery Their great inferiority to the enemy in this military arm having been

the main cause of the late national disaster

David’s Lament 1:17-27

David inquired of the LordBy use of Urim and Thrumhim

1 Samuel 23:61 Samuel 23:91 Samuel 30:71 Samuel 30:8

 He knew he would be King, but he knew also that the providence of God would pave the wayTherefore he would take no step in such a crisis of

his own and the nation's history, without asking and obtaining the divine direction

David made King over Judah 2:1-7

He was told to go into Judah, and fix his headquarters in Hebron

There his interests were very powerful; for he was not only within his own tribe, and near chiefs with whom he had been long in friendly relations but Hebron was the capital and center of Judah, and one of the Levitical citiesThe inhabitants of which were strongly attached to him,

both from sympathy with his cause ever since the massacre at Nob, and from the prospect of realizing in his person their promised pre-eminence among the tribes

The princes of Judah, therefore, offered him the crown over their tribe, and it was accepted. More could not, with prudence, be done in the circumstances of the country

David made King over Judah 2:1-7

Abner was Saul’s cousin and commander of Saul’s army

The recognition of Ish-Bosheth by Israel seems to have took place only after about five yearsSince David reigned for seven years and six

months in Hebron This was probably due to Israel’s defeat at

Mount Gilboa ~ 1 Samuel 31

ABNER MAKES ISH-BOSHETH KING OVER ISRAEL 2:8-17

Abner went to Gibeon 2:12-13This town was near the confines of JudahThe force with which Abner encamped there

seemed to have some aggressive designDavid sent an army of observation, under the

command of Joab, to watch his movementsThere was a contest between 12 picked men

from each sideThis was a fight of ChampionsThis should have avoided war but in the end it

only inflamed the two armies

David Fights the House of Saul

All the men in the contest died A full battle followed

Asahel pursues Abner ~2:19-32 To gain the general's armor was deemed the grandest trophy Asahel, ambitious of securing Abner's, had outstripped all other

pursuers, and was fast gaining on the retreating commander Abner, conscious of possessing more physical power, and unwilling

that there should be "blood" between himself and Joab, Asahel's brother, twice urged him to desist

The impetuous young soldier being deaf to the generous remonstrance, the veteran raised the pointed butt of his lance, as the modern Arabs do when pursued, and, with a sudden back thrust, transfixed him on the spot, so that he fell

But Joab and Abishai continued the pursuit by another route till sunset

On David's side the loss was only nineteen men, besides Asahel But of Ish-bosheth's party there fell three hundred and sixty

Abner put to flight

There was a long war between the House of Saul and the House of David

All six sons had different mothersAnd unto David were sons born in Hebron : and his

firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the JezreelitessAnd his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal

the CarmeliteThe third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter

of Talmai king of GeshurAnd the fourth, Adonijah the son of HaggithThe fifth,Shephatiah the son of AbitalThe sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife

Chileab was called Daniel in I Chronicles 3:1-3

Six Sons Born to David 3:1-5

Abner takeone of Saul’s concubine Rizpah for himselfThe taking of a wife or concubine of the King was to

make a claim unto the Throne itself ~ 1 Kings2:19-25Ish-Bosheth questioned him about it

Abner was full of indignationGod used this incident to bring the loyalty of Abner

and his forces to DavidBefore David would talk to Abner he required the

return of Michal to himselfThis would strengthen his claim to the Throne of

Israel and Judah

Abner Desertion to David 3:6-21

Abner had slain Joab’s brother AshaelJoab’s avenging of his brother was at Hebron

Hebron was a Levitical cityA city of refuge ~ Joshua 21:13

This was against the regulation of the Law even if he had been acting as an avenger of blood

Joab’s deed was born of jealousy and vengeance ~ 3:24-25

Joab does not receive a blessing from David but his curse

David then leads all the people of Hebron in public mourning ~3:31-39

Joab kills Abner 3:22:39

Baanah and Rechab are mentioned as captains of his raiding bandsJonathan’s son Mephibosheth was lame

He is probably introduced to demonstrate that his youth and handicap disqualify him from rule

Also that he would have been the Avenger of Blood and was unable to fulfill that role emblazoned Baanah and Rechab to do what they did

Ish-bosheth is murdered

It is still a custom in the East to allow their soldiers a certain quantity of grain, together with some payThese two captains very naturally went to the

palace the day before to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers, that it might be sent to the mill at the accustomed hour in the morning

Rechab and Baanah came in the heat of the day, when they knew that Ish-bosheth, their master, would be resting on his divanThough it might be a little earlier than usual,

created no suspicion, and attracted no notice 

Ish-bosheth is murdered

So Recab and Baanah slipped past the doorkeeper, went into Ishbosheth's bedroom, and stabbed him in the stomach. Then they escaped.But before leaving, they cut off his head as he lay there on his bed. Taking his head with them, they fled across the Jordan

Valley through the night.2 Samuel 6-7

Ish-bosheth is murdered

They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David Such bloody trophies of rebels and conspirators have always

been acceptable to princes in the East, and the carriers have been liberally rewarded Ish-bosheth being a usurper, the two assassins thought they were

doing a meritorious service to David by removing the only existing obstacle to the union of the two kingdoms

David called Ish-Bosheth righteous or innocent He had done no crime rising to take his father’s throne

David had Rechab and Baanah killed They then cut of their hands and feet Then they hung them.

The exposure of the mutilated remains was intended as not only a punishment of their crime, but also the attestation of David's abhorrence of their actions

David kills Rechab and Baanah 4:9-12

 The death of Saul’s son brings submission of all of Israel to DavidThis would be his third annointing

A combined deputation of the leading authorities in every tribe came to David

He possessed the first and indispensable qualification for the throne That of being an Israelite

Of his military talent he had furnished ample proofThe people's desire for his assumption of the

government of Israel was further increased by their knowledge of the will and purpose of God, as declared by Samuel ~ 1 Samuel 16:11-13 

David made King over Israel 4:1-5

He was 30 years old when he began to reignDavid reigned 7 ½ years in HebronHe reigned 33 years over all IsraelHis total reign was 40 years

David’s reign 5:5

Zion was under the control of the JebusitesWhether Zion be the southwestern hill commonly

so-called, or the peak now level on the north of the temple mount, it is the towering height which catches the eye from every quarter--"the hill fort," "the rocky hold" of Jerusalem

The first expedition of David, as king of the whole country, was directed against this place, which had so far remained in the hands of the natives

It was strongly fortified and deemed so impregnable that the blind and lame were sent to man the battlements

David take Zion 5:6-10

David offers a reward to whoever smites the JebusitesHe would make them a captain ~ 1 Chronicles

11David captured the stronghold of Zion

So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. 2 Samuel 5:9

David take Zion 5:6-10

Hiram, the king of Tyre sent carpenters and wood to David to help build his houseThis was a mark of international recognition ~

1 Chronicles 14:1-2

Hiram’s recognition of David 5:11-12

David takes on more concubines and wives3In this conduct David transgressed an express

law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply wives unto himself ~ Deuteronomy 17:17

This may reflect ancient international protocol in which treaty arrangement were sealed by the marriage of princesses to foreign kings

Also, the size of a kings harem was matter of great prestige

David has eleven sons born to him in Jerusalem

David has more sons 5:13-16

During the civil war between the house of Saul and David, those restless neighbors had remained quiet spectators of the contestBut now, jealous of David, they resolved to

attack him before his government was fully established

David defeated them twice in two years

David defeats the Philistines 5:17-25

David assembled the men of Israel to commence the establishment of the Ark in Jerusalem

David brought 30,000 men to Judah to get the Ark of the CovenantThis large number was probably to protect the Ark from the

Philistines and out of reverence for the sacred articleThe placed the Ark in an wagon

This was in violation express statute Numbers 7:9 , 18:3During the journey the oxen stumbled and Uzzah placed his

hand on it to keep it steadyHe died on the spot

David is fearful of the Lord because of his JudgmentDavid was probably afraid the that the punishment would be

extended to himself and all the people

David brings the Ark 6:1-10

David then kept the Ark in the house of Obed-edom the GittiteThe Ark is housed there for 3 months

During these three months David realized his mistake in the movement of the ArkDavid then had the Ark moved properly, upon the

shoulders of the priests, and moved into JerusalemDavid danced in joy and gladness

Michal saw him an she despised himDavid reproves Michal and she remained barren

until her deathA critical spirit born of spiritual shallowness and

insensitivity is to be avoided at all costs

David brings the Ark to Zion 6:11-123

David realizing that his home was finished he saw the Ark of the Covenant still dwelling in a tent

David plans to build a temple 7:1-3

When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after

you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom."He shall build a house for

My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever ."I will be a father to him and he will be

a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but

My loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from

before you."Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever ;

your throne shall be established forever .""‘2 Samuel 7:12-16

The Davidic Covenant

It is unconditionalIt is eternalDavid is promised

A HouseA continued posterity

A KingdomA realm of political power

A ThroneRulership of that Kingdom based on David’s Throne

This covenant will see it’s ultimate fullfilment in the universal rule of the Messiah

Provisions of the Davidic Covenant

The Abrahamic, the Davidic and the New covenant will all be realized in Christ and ultimately fulfilled during the Millennial reign and eternal reign of Christ

The Land Covenant will also be fulfilled during the Millennial reign

The Fulfillment of the Covenants

David subdues the PhilistinesDavid defeats MoabHe smites Hadadezer and the Syrians

This was the most northern border of Israel on the Euphrates river

The horses were disabled making them useless for military use

David extends the Kingdom 8:1-18

David inquired if there were anybody left from the house of Saul  Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son is still survivedMephibosheth was invited to court, and a place at the

royal table on public days was assigned him, as is still the custom with Eastern monarchs

Saul's family estate, which had fallen to David in right of his wife was restored to himThis enabled Mephibosheth to maintain a home equal to his

rankThis kindness also related to the Covenant bond which

Jonathan and David had enteredThis is an illustration of God’s grace to men in their

time of need

David’s Kindness 9:1-13

David’s kindly behavior toward Jonathan’s helpless son, Mephibosheth, in raising him from a lowly state and own providing for his every need this is an illustration of God’s grace to men in their time of need

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in

our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved ), and raised us up with Him,

and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He

might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

David’s Kindness 9:1-13