There is a short introduction available for the book of 2 Samuel. You can read it here.
Key Themes (2 Samuel)
The book of 2 Samuel continues the narrative of David's life and reign as king over Israel, following the events of 1 Samuel. It chronicles David's successes, failures, and the consequences of his actions, emphasizing themes of kingship, covenant, and the complexities of human leadership. The key themes include:
- The Establishment of David’s Kingship: A central theme in 2 Samuel is the establishment of David as the king over all Israel. The book begins with David’s rise to power after the death of Saul, highlighting his consolidation of the kingdom, the capture of Jerusalem, and his successful military campaigns. This theme underscores God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to David and establishing his dynasty.
- The Davidic Covenant: One of the most significant moments in 2 Samuel is the establishment of the Davidic Covenant, where God promises David that his descendants will rule Israel forever, and that his kingdom will be everlasting. This theme is foundational for the messianic expectation in the Bible, as it points to the future hope of a ruler from David’s line, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- The Complexity of Human Leadership: 2 Samuel portrays the complexities of David’s leadership, showcasing both his strengths and weaknesses. David is depicted as a man after God’s own heart, yet he is also shown as deeply flawed, particularly in the incidents involving Bathsheba and Uriah. This theme highlights the tension between divine calling and human frailty, illustrating that even the most anointed leaders can fall short.
- Sin, Consequences, and Repentance: The book vividly portrays the consequences of sin, especially in the life of David. His sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah bring severe consequences, including turmoil within his family and the kingdom. However, David’s sincere repentance, as expressed in Psalm 51, shows that while sin has consequences, God’s forgiveness is available to those who turn back to Him. This theme emphasizes the seriousness of sin, the reality of its repercussions, and the importance of repentance.
- Family Strife and Division: 2 Samuel details the significant family conflicts that arise within David’s household, including the rape of Tamar by her half-brother Amnon, Absalom’s rebellion, and the eventual death of Absalom. These narratives highlight the destructive impact of sin and the resulting family divisions, as well as the challenges of leadership in the face of personal and familial failures. This theme reflects the broader consequences of David’s actions and the struggles within his own family.
- The Sovereignty of God: Throughout 2 Samuel, God’s sovereignty is evident as He guides the events of David’s life and the nation of Israel. Whether in times of triumph or tragedy, God’s overarching control and purpose are clear. This theme underscores the belief that God is ultimately in control of history, using both human successes and failures to accomplish His divine purposes.
- Justice and Mercy: The tension between justice and mercy is a recurring theme in 2 Samuel. David often faces difficult decisions where he must balance the demands of justice with the call for mercy, whether in dealing with his enemies, family members, or his own sins. This theme highlights the complexities of leadership and the importance of upholding justice while also reflecting God’s mercy.
- The Role of Prophets: The role of prophets as God’s messengers is crucial in 2 Samuel, particularly through the figure of Nathan. Nathan confronts David with his sin, delivers God’s promises, and serves as a voice of accountability. This theme underscores the importance of prophetic guidance in holding leaders accountable to God’s standards and reminding them of God’s will.
2 Samuel is a profound exploration of the complexities of kingship, the consequences of sin, and the faithfulness of God. It provides a nuanced portrayal of David’s reign, illustrating both his successes and failures, and emphasizing the importance of repentance, justice, and reliance on God’s sovereignty. Through its themes of covenant, leadership, and the tension between sin and grace, 2 Samuel offers deep insights into the nature of human leadership and God’s unwavering commitment to His people.
What I Noticed Today (2 Samuel 1-4)
2 Samuel 1
2 Samuel 1 continues from 1 Samuel 31. David learns of the death of Saul and Jonathan, who had been killed in battle.
In verses 1-10, a man claiming to be an Amalekite brought the news of Saul’s death to David. He claimed to have killed Saul and offered Saul’s crown and armband as proof.
Note: The man’s false claim that he killed Saul differs from what is recorded in 1 Samuel 31:3-6.
In verses 11-16, David tore his clothes, and he mourned Saul and those who had died until evening. David had the man who claimed to have killed Saul brought to him and questioned him. The man said he was an Amalekite. David, referring to Saul as the “Lord’s anointed,” ordered the Amalekite executed for killing Saul.
In verses 19-27, as a demonstration of his deep respect for Saul and Jonathan, David composed a lament in their honor that was to be recorded in the book of Jashar (a book referred to in Joshua 10:13) and taught to all who lived in Judah. It was known as the “Song of the Bow.”
2 Samuel 2
In 2 Samuel 2, a conflict arises between David and Abner.
In verses 1-8, David inquired of the Lord whether he should go up to any cities in Judah, and God answered yes, go up to Hebron. So David took his family and his army to Hebron and settled there.
- David was anointed as the king over the house of Judah.
- David learned that it was the men of Jabesh-gilead who had buried Saul and his sons.
- David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, blessing them for burying Saul and his sons and announced they had nothing to fear from him being named king in Saul’s place.
In verses 8-11, at the same time Abner, Saul’s cousin (1 Samuel 14:50), moved Saul’s oldest surviving son, Ish-bosheth (who was 40 years old) to Mahanaim and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin (all of the territory of the Israelites except for Judah).
Note: This action set in play a division between the northern and southern tribes of Israel.
In verses 12-32, Abner and his soldiers marched out against Joab and David’s soldiers by the pool of Gibeon.
- Abner suggested a battle between 12 representatives of each group.
- When they killed each other, a broader civil war ensued in which only 19 men of David’s army were killed, while 360 of Abner’s men were killed.
Despite all the ill will between Saul and David, David maintained great respect for Saul as “the Lord’s anointed.” Despite Saul’s many faults, David only spoke well of Saul.
Abner, in direct contradiction to God’s will, established Ish-bosheth as king. Failure to submit to God’s will led to division among the tribes and the death of many soldiers.
Some thoughts for further consideration:
- We would do well to hold those whom God’s places into leadership with high regard, as David did with Saul. The challenge, I think, is understanding in our time, “who really is God’s anointed?”
- We would also do well to consider the impact of creating division among God’s people. Abner went directly against God’s will, causing division. The same thing happens today when people create division in the church!
2 Samuel 3
The war between the house of Saul and the house of David continued.
Note: If the war between the house of Saul and David lasted throughout the reign of Ish-bosheth, then it went on for about two years (2 Samuel 2:10).
In verse 1, David became stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker.
In verses 4-5, David had six wives and fathered six sons (one son per wife) in Hebron.
In verses 6-11, During the time that David was in Hebron, Abner (Ish-boshesh’s general) became stronger.
- Ish-bosheth accused Abner of sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines, which was a privilege of only the king.
- We don’t know whether or not Abner did sleep with the concubine, but the result was that Abner switched sides, went to David, and proclaimed his loyalty to David.
In verses 12—16, Abner sent messengers to David, offering to make a covenant with him and hand the entire land of Israel over to David.
- David agreed to make a covenant with Abner but required that his wife Michal is restored to him.
- David then sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, demanding that Michal is returned to him and Ish-bosheth complied.
Note: In Abner’s proclamation, he described David’s land as going from Dan to Beersheba. Dan was the furthest city in the north, and Beersheba was the furthest city in the south. So in effect, Abner was describing David’s land as a united Judah and Israel.
In verses 17-39, Abner gathered men from Israel and met with David in Hebron. They solidified their covenant, and Abner left to gather all the tribes together under David’s leadership.
- David and Abner made a covenant together, but this did not sit well with Joab, David’s commander (Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel, see 2 Samuel 2:23).
- Joab followed Abner to Hebron and killed him.
Note: Hebron was a city of refuge, so at the very least, Joab should have submitted the matter to the city elders for adjudication.
- David was furious when he learned about Joab killing Abner. He swore a curse upon Joab and his family and mourned the passing of Abner.
2 Samuel 4
Ish-bosheth is assassinated.
In verses 1—4, when Ish-bosheth heard about Abner’s death, he and the Israelites were dismayed (probably because they finally realized that God was favoring David).
In verses 5-8, two of Saul’s captains (Rechab and Baanah) came and murdered Ish-bosheth, cut off his head, and proudly took it to David. They claimed the assassination was at the Lord’s hand as vengeance for what Saul had done to David.
In verses 9-12, David was furious that they had killed Ish-bosheth and ordered the men who assassinated him killed.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
