It is amazing how fast things can change in scripture. In the previous chapter we focused on Uriah because looking at David only provides an example of everything we should never do. However, in this chapter David lets God get his attention. He then provides an excellent example of how to respond to God’s discipline….
Category: 2 Samuel
Commitment – 2 Samuel 11
A Familiar Story Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba. David stays home rather than going to war. The resulting boredom leads him to the roof of his palace where he sees a woman bathing on her rooftop. David requests that his servants bring her to the palace where he…
Bad Advice – 2 Samuel 10
In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king. 2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David’s…
Kindness – 2 Samuel 9
I have chosen to skip over 2 Samuel 8. The chapter records David’s many military victories, including cities captured and men killed. I am probably missing something, but I found little to directly apply to my own life beyond the understanding that God’s desire is to be for everyone the way He was for David….
Sovereign Lord- 2 Samuel 7
What does a warrior king do when the land rests? David immediately compares his accommodations with those provided for the Ark of the Covenant and determines to build a temple to replace the tabernacle. This chapter describes four conversations. In the first we are introduced to Nathan the prophet. I generally think of Nathan coming…
Impulse or Intention – 2 Samuel 6
In the previous chapter we learned that armies often carried their gods into battle in the hope that they would bring them victory. David’s men win the victory, capture the idols, and then burn them. The presence of the idols failed to bring victory to the Philistines. For some unexplained reason David determines to bring…
Spy in the Sky – 2 Samuel 5
With the death of Ish-Bosheth and Abner the leaders of the northern tribes acknowledge the inevitable. Suddenly, they realize and declare God’s will that David be the king of all Israel. The elders gather and anoint David. David treats these rebellious elders honorably and makes a covenant with them. David’s wise action unifies the kingdom….
Have We Progressed? – 2 Samuel 4
This short chapter contains descriptions of a murder and an execution. The reign of Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth ends quickly when two of his raiding party leaders murder him in his house. They appear to be motivated by the possibility of gaining a prominent position in the new regime of King David. After murdering Ish-Bosheth they…
Weakness – 2 Samuel 3
We were so used to peaceful transitions of power that it is difficult to imagine how difficult it must have been for Israel to shift their allegiance from King Saul to the new King David. Years went by and David gets stronger as those loyal to Saul and his family grow weaker. David poorly handles…
Division – 2 Samuel 2
King Saul dies in battle and the custom of the time says one of his sons must be the next king. The tribe of Benjamin wants this as does King Saul’s top general Abner. This chapter describes the conflict that occurs whenever the will of the people conflicts with the will of God. These types…