2 Samuel

Theme 1: ( 1-10) God is faithful to fulfill his promises to those who obey him and seek after him as David did. God fulfills his covenant with David as he becomes King of Israel and the nation of Israel prospers. David honored Saul and Jonathan as he avenged the death of Saul by killing the Malecite who claimed to have murdered Saul. He also sings a song of lament in which he pays honor to the friendship he had with Jonathan and to the courage and leadership of Saul. (2 Samuel 1). David is victorious over the army fighting for Saul’s son Ish-Boseth and gains more and more power. (2 Samuel 2). Abner made a pact of allegiance with David in order to help him secure his throne. (2 Samuel 3). David showed respect to his rival as he executed the men who had killed Ish-Boseth in cold blood. (2 Samuel 4). David conquered the city of Jerusalem and made it his capital and was also victorious over the Philistine armies. (2 Samuel 5). After the Ark of the Covenant was unsuccessfully brought to Jerusalem David inquired of God and honored him by bringing back the Ark of the Covenant in the way in which God had commanded it be brought. The King himself danced before the Lord with reckless abandon. (2 Samuel 6). David responded with praise to the Lord when he is told that his kingdom will be established forever. (2 Samuel 7). David was victorious in battle and conquers territory expanding his kingdom. (2 Samuel 8). Despite his victories and increased status David is faithful to his covenant with Jonathan and seeks out his descendant Mephibosheth. David showed him kindness restoring property that had belonged to his grandfather and allowing him to eat with himself. (2 Samuel 9). David attempted to show favor to his ally’s son who was King of Amon only to be disgraced and so he was given victory over the Ammonites and Syrians who fought against him. (2 Samuel 10).

Theme 2: (11-16): Human sin and wickedness has consequences even when it is repented of. David ‘s lust for Bathsheba caused him to have her husband Uriah murdered after he slept with her. He also lied about this when he took her as his wife. (2 Samuel 11). As a result of this sin David was confronted by the prophet Nathan and upon realizing his sin he repented. Although David was forgiven, the son his wife bore died. (2 Samuel 12). David’s son Amnon raped his half sister Tamar and was killed by his half brother Absalom who retreated into another kingdom called Geshur. (2 Samuel 13). Absalom is brought back to Jerusalem by Joab but does not see David for 2 years. (2 Samuel 14). Absalom later became envious of David and conspired to become King driving David from Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 15). David is given help from the steward of Mephiboseth while on his journey from Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 16).

Theme 3: Human strength and wisdom are no match for God’s wisdom and strength and will fail. Thus it is wise to seek the Lord and repent of your sins rather than seeking human wisdom and coming to destruction. Absalom listened to the foolish advice of Hushai giving David an advantage over him in battle. (2 Samuel 17). Absalom sought the wisdom of his followers and not God’s and therefore came to a violent death being killed by a sword to his stomach after hanging by his hair in a tree. (2 Samuel 18). David upon returning to Jerusalem rewarded Barzilli and Mephiboseth out of his desire to treat others with justice and love as God’s law commanded. (2 Samuel 19). David is given victory over a descendant of Saul named Sheba who rebelled against David and tried to become King. (2 Samuel 20). Saul had oppressed the Gibeonites and had not respected their covenant of being treated as part of God’s people and so David avenged this wrong by executing members of Saul’s family. ( 2 Samuel 21). David composed a song of praise to the Lord after being given victory over his enemies in which he remembered the faithfulness of the Lord. ( 2 Samuel 22). In his last words David remembered the faithfulness of the Lord and declared that those who followed the Lord could depend on his . (2 Samuel 23). David seeking to develop his army had a census taken of his army to determine their strength and later repented when the Lord’s judgment was upon him and the nation. (2 Samuel 24).