Page 47 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

2 SAMUEL

The book of 2 Samuel records the rise of David as King over Israel.

Author and Date: unknown.

Theme(s) include: David’s Reign (1-10), Ruin (11-20), and Review
(21-24)

Message: David finally begins his reign as king, divinely established through universal conquest and
unconditional covenant. But his polygamy and power lead to ruin, with continuing consequences in his
family and kingdom. The review of David’s reigns shows that God remains faithful to His covenant
promises. David’s Reign (1-10) David’s Ruin (11-20) Review (21-24)

Chapter’s 1-4 focuses on David’s reign over Judah. When news of Saul’s death arrives, David awards the
messenger with sword, not a sum. He expresses great anguish over death of Saul and Jonathan (1).
Nation is divided (2-4) David- king of Judah, Ishbaal- king of Israel, resulting in serious conflict, shifting
loyalty: Joab defeats Abner but Aber kills Joab’s brother So when Abner- shame shifts loyalty to David,
Joab murders Abner, David mourns- innocent. Ishbaal is murdered and David kills murderers. Amidst
David’s rise to reign over all Israel, cracks appear in armor. His polygamy- harem, politics- Michal and
power- as everything the king did pleased the people signal trouble lies ahead!

Chapter’s 5-10 narrates David’s reign over all Israel. After Ishbaal’s death, Israel’s leaders anoint David
king over the entire nation (5). Once crowned, David picks Jerusalem as his political and religious capital,
defeating Jebusites, building up the city and harem, restoring the symbol of God’s presence to
prominence in Jerusalem. David became great, for YHWH was with him, exalting and establishing his
reign (5-6). As YHWH gives David victory wherever he went, he began to militarily secure his borders:
West-Philistia (5), East-Moab (8) and Ammon (10), North-Zobah/ Syria (8), South- Edom (8). David
wanted to build God a house-temple, God promises to build David a house-dynasty. To covenant
promises, He adds place-peace, preeminence posterity, presence-promise (7). David fulfills his covenant
to Jonathan, treating Mephibosheth as his own son, one deserving death is granted riches of royalty, a
picture of God’s grace. (Chapter 9)

Power and Passion (11). The cracks in David’s armor- polygamy and power are exposed! As his army
actively fights, David passively sits in Zion. He sees a lovely woman, sends to inquire but ignores the
warning- wife, sends to take her. After having sexual relations, she sends word she is pregnant! So,
David sends for Uriah from battle in attempt to cover sin. When Uriah will not go to his house, even
drunk, David sends death notice to Joab. At David’s command, Uriah is killed and his wife taken. While
his polygamy and abuse of power didn’t displease David, it was displeasing to YHWH!

Punishment (12-20). In response, YHWH sends the prophet Nathan to confront David. When David
reacts with great anger to Nathan’s parable rich man taking poor man’s lamb- Nathan reveals that David
is the man, taking the wife and life of Uriah. God graciously responds to David’s confession with
forgiveness, but consequences remain, the sword will never depart from your house: (1) Child: YHWH
afflicts Bathsheba’s child; despite David’s intercession, he dies (12). (2) Amnon and Tamar: lovesick for
his half-sister, Amnon deceives David to send Tamar to his house, where he rapes her and sends her
away- like father, like son. After 2 yrs. of plotting, Absalom deceives David to send Amnon to sheep-
shearing, where he is killed for raping Tamar (13). (3) Absalom: after sojourn in Geshur- 2 yrs Joab
returns Absalom to Jerusalem, but tensions remain. After winning heart of people, Absalom plots coup
to take throne. David flees to Jerusalem, but when Absalom follows bad counsel, he is killed in battle, as
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