2 Samuel
David’s Last Words
The list of David’s mighty men is preceded by a short poem (vv. 1-7) titled the last words of David. In the first stanza (v. 1) he identified himself as “the son of Jesse,” a peasant farmer in Bethlehem. David was never ashamed of that, as God lifted him “ …
David Escapes From Jerusalem
A messenger told David that everyone in Israel is following Absalom (v. 13). David was in Jerusalem when he heard this and he told all of his officials that they need to leave quickly or none of them will be able to escape from Absalom (vv. 14-15). David left ten of his wives behind…
David Returns to Jerusalem
Joab is told of David’s “weeping†and “mourning†for his son Absalom (vv. 1-2). Instead of majoring on their triumph as an occasion for celebration the people sneak back into the city because cowardice has forced them to flee the battlefield (v. 3). …
Absalom Flees to Geshur
Absalom has run away and one of the guards noticed a lot of people on the road to Horonaim so he told the king (v. 34). Jonadab said to the king, here come your sons (v. 35) and no sooner had he said it than David’s sons came in weeping and David and all his officials also began …
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
Every election year we have a barrage of “campaign promises,†which we know will be forgotten as soon as the candidates reach office. We don’t even expect them to keep their promises and would be shocked if they did. David is a man who kept his promises. Before he became …
The Rebellion of Sheba
Sheba, a trouble maker from the tribe of Benjamin asked the Israelites to follow him and rebel against David, and they did, while the people of Judah stayed close to David (vv. 1-2). The house of Benjamin had been jealous of David since he became king of Israel and Sheba hoped to …
Shimei Curses David
David meets Ziba, the servant of Methibosheth, as he starts down the backside of the Mount of Olives (v. 1). Ziba had two donkeys that were carrying 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 figs, and some wine. David asked him who all of this was for and he replied that …
Abner Joins Forces with David
Israel and Judah had lost sight of God’s plan for them to settle in the land (Gen. 12:7), to drive out the Canaanites (Deut. 7:1-4), and to obey God’s laws (Deut. 8:1). Instead of uniting to accomplish these goals they fought each other (v. 1). More and more people…
The Battle of Gibeon
With Israel divided there was constant tension between the north and the south. From the beginning of David’s reign his real rival in the north was not Ishbosheth but Abner. In order to settle the question of royal succession Abner, the general in the north and David’s military l …
Joab Murders Absalom
David has lots of military strength at his disposal. He divides his army into three divisions and sends them out under the command of Joab (the commander over all), his brother Abishai and Ittai, the Gittite (vv. 1-5). David announces his intention to march out into battle with t …