2 Samuel

2 Samuel

After Saul’s death, David returned from defeating Amalek and remained two days in Ziklag.

On the third day, a man arrived from Saul’s camp with torn clothes and dust on his head.

“I escaped from the battle.”

David asked:

“How did it go?”

“Saul and Jonathan are dead.”

The Amalekite's Report

“Saul leaned on his spear. He asked me to kill him.

So I stood over him and ended his life.”

He brought Saul’s crown and armlet.

David tore his clothes.

He and his men mourned, wept, and fasted until evening.

David asked:

“Where are you from?”

“I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner.”

David said:

“You were not afraid to destroy YHWH’s anointed?”

He had him struck down.

David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan

“The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places.

How the mighty have fallen!”

“Saul and Jonathan—beloved and lovely.

In life and in death they were not divided.”

“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.

Your love to me was wonderful—surpassing the love of women.”

“How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

———

David inquired of YHWH:

“Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?”

YHWH said:

“Go up—to Hebron.”

There, the men of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah.

Abner and Ish-bosheth

Abner, commander of Saul’s army, made Ish-bosheth king over Israel.

He ruled two years; David ruled Judah seven years and six months.

The Battle at Gibeon

Joab (David’s commander) met Abner at the pool of Gibeon.

They sat on opposite sides and said:

“Let the young men arise and compete before us.”

Twelve from each side rose and struck each other—falling together.

The place was called Helkath-hazzurim (“Field of Blades”).

A fierce battle followed. Abner fled.

Asahel, Joab’s brother, pursued him but was killed by Abner.

Joab and Abishai chased Abner until sunset.

———

A long war followed:

“David grew stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker.”

David’s Sons in Hebron:

Amnon (Ahinoam)

Chileab (Abigail)

Absalom (Maacah)

Adonijah (Haggith)

Shephatiah (Abital)

Ithream (Eglah)

Abner Defects to David

Ish-bosheth accused Abner of sleeping with Saul’s concubine.

Abner was angry:

“I have shown kindness, yet you accuse me?

I will now hand the kingdom to David!”

He sent word to David:

“Make a covenant with me.”

David agreed:

“But you shall not see my face unless you bring Michal, Saul’s daughter.”

Joab Murders Abner

After Abner left in peace, Joab returned and lured him aside.

There he killed him—in revenge for Asahel.

David said:

“I and my kingdom are innocent of Abner’s blood.

Let it rest on Joab and his house.”

David mourned, fasted, and composed a lament for Abner:

“Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Your hands were not bound, your feet not fettered.”

All Israel knew it was not David who desired Abner’s death.

———

When Ish-bosheth heard of Abner’s death, his courage failed.

Two captains of his raiding bands, Rechab and Baanah, came during the heat of the day.

They entered his house and struck him as he lay on his bed.

They cut off his head and brought it to David:

“Here is the head of your enemy.”

David answered:

“When one told me Saul was dead, thinking to bring good news,

I killed him. How much more these wicked men?”

He commanded they be executed. Their hands and feet were cut off, and their bodies hung at the pool in Hebron.

Ish-bosheth’s head was buried in Abner’s tomb.

———

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron:

“You are bone of our bone. Even while Saul was king, you led us.

YHWH said, ‘You shall shepherd My people and be their ruler.’”

They anointed David king over all Israel.

He was 30 years old and reigned 40 years:

7.5 in Hebron

33 in Jerusalem

Jerusalem Captured

David led his men against the Jebusites.

They said:

“Even the blind and lame will keep you out!”

But David took the stronghold of Zion—the city of David.

He said:

“Whoever strikes the Jebusites must go up the water shaft.”

Hiram King of Tyre sent cedar, carpenters, and masons.

They built a palace for David.

“David perceived that YHWH had established him as king for His people Israel.”

Philistines Defeated Twice

They came to attack. David inquired of YHWH:

“Go—I will give them into your hand.”

David struck them at Baal-perazim (“Master of Breakthroughs”).

They came again. YHWH said:

“Do not go up directly. Circle behind them.

When you hear marching in the trees, attack—YHWH has gone before you.”

David obeyed and struck them from Gibeon to Gezer.

———

David gathered 30,000 men and went to bring the Ark of God from the house of Abinadab.

They placed the Ark on a new cart.

Uzzah and Ahio guided it.

When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out his hand.

“And the anger of YHWH burned—He struck Uzzah down.

For touching the Ark, he died there by it.”

David was afraid and said:

“How can the Ark of YHWH come to me?”

So the Ark was taken to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

YHWH blessed him.

David Dances Before YHWH

Hearing of the blessing, David brought the Ark to Jerusalem with rejoicing.

He wore a linen ephod and danced with all his might.

Michal Despises Him

When Michal saw him leaping, she despised him in her heart.

She rebuked him:

“How the king honored himself today—uncovering before maidservants!”

David replied:

“I danced before YHWH, who chose me above your father.

I will become even more undignified than this.”

“Michal had no child to the day of her death.”

———

David said to Nathan the prophet:

“I live in a house of cedar, but the Ark dwells in a tent.”

Nathan said:

“Do all that is in your heart.”

But YHWH spoke to Nathan that night:

The Covenant Declared

“I took you from the pasture to be ruler.

I have been with you. I will make your name great.

You shall not build Me a house—

I will make you a house.”

“When your days are fulfilled, I will raise up your offspring.

He shall build a house for My Name.

I will establish his kingdom forever.”

David’s Prayer of Gratitude

“Who am I, O Master YHWH, and what is my house?

You have spoken of the future of Your servant’s house.

There is none like You.”

“Do as You have said—let Your Name be magnified forever.”

———

David defeated:

The Philistines

Moab (measuring out captives)

Hadadezer of Zobah

Syrians of Damascus

He placed garrisons and took gold, silver, and bronze.

YHWH Gave Victory Wherever He Went

David dedicated all the plunder to YHWH.

He defeated Edom and became great.

“David reigned with justice and righteousness for all his people.”

His officials:

Joab (army)

Jehoshaphat (recorder)

Zadok and Ahimelech (priests)

Benaiah (Cherethites and Pelethites)

———

David asked:

“Is there still anyone left from the house of Saul,

to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

They found Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, living in Lo-debar.

David said:

“Do not fear. I will show you kindness for your father’s sake.

You shall always eat at my table.”

He restored Saul’s land to him and gave him Ziba and his household as servants.

“Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.”

———

Hanun son of Nahash became king of Ammon.

David sent servants to comfort him.

But the princes said:

“Do you think David honors your father?

He sent spies to search the land!”

Hanun shaved half their beards and cut off their garments at the hips.

“When David heard, he was furious.”

Ammon Prepares for War

They hired Arameans (Syrians) as allies.

David sent Joab with the army.

Israel was surrounded.

Joab said to Abishai:

“If the Arameans are too strong, you help me. If Ammon is too strong, I’ll help you.

Be strong—let us fight for our people and for the cities of our God.”

YHWH Gave Victory

Joab routed the Arameans.

The Arameans regrouped—David came and struck them again.

“They made peace with Israel and served them.

The Arameans feared to help Ammon again.”

———

“In the spring, when kings go to war, David remained in Jerusalem.”

He rose from his couch and walked on the roof.

He saw a woman bathing—Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

He sent for her. She came to him, and he lay with her.

She sent word:

“I am pregnant.”

David summoned Uriah from battle.

He asked about Joab and the war, then said:

“Go down to your house.”

Uriah refused:

“The Ark, Israel, and Judah dwell in tents. How can I go home?”

David got him drunk—but he still did not go.

David Sent a Letter

He wrote to Joab:

“Set Uriah in the front of the fiercest battle—then withdraw.”

Joab obeyed. Uriah was killed.

Bathsheba mourned.

David brought her to his house.

She bore a son.

“But the thing David had done was evil in the eyes of YHWH.”

———

YHWH sent Nathan to David.

“There were two men—one rich, one poor.

The poor man had one little ewe lamb.

The rich man took it to feed a guest.”

David was furious:

“The man deserves to die!”

Nathan said:

“You are the man.”

“You took Uriah’s wife. You killed with the sword of Ammon.

Now the sword shall never depart from your house.”

David Repents

“I have sinned against YHWH.”

Nathan said:

“YHWH has put away your sin—you shall not die.

But the child shall die.”

The child became ill. David fasted and lay on the ground.

After seven days, the child died.

David rose, washed, and worshipped.

His servants asked:

“Why rise now?”

“While the child lived, I hoped. But now—can I bring him back?”

Solomon is Born

Bathsheba bore another son: Solomon.

YHWH loved him.

Nathan called him Jedidiah (“Beloved of YHWH”).

Joab fought against Rabbah. David gathered the rest of the army and captured the city.

———

David’s son Amnon loved his half-sister Tamar.

Jonadab, a crafty cousin, said:

“Pretend to be ill. Ask for Tamar to bring you food.”

When she came, Amnon seized her:

“Lie with me.”

She said:

“Do not violate me! Such a thing is not done in Israel.”

But he overpowered her.

Afterward, he hated her and sent her away.

“The hatred was greater than the love he had felt.”

Tamar tore her robe and mourned.

Absalom, her full brother, said:

“Be silent for now, my sister.”

David heard and was very angry—but did not punish Amnon.

Absalom’s Revenge

Two years later, Absalom invited all the king’s sons to a feast.

He commanded his servants:

“Strike Amnon when he is merry.”

They killed him.

The other sons fled.

A rumor said all sons were dead, but Jonadab said:

“Only Amnon is dead—Absalom planned this.”

Absalom fled to Geshur.

David mourned every day.

———

Joab sent a wise woman from Tekoa to David.

She told a parable of two sons—one killed the other.

“They want to destroy my remaining son.”

David said:

“Not one hair shall fall from him.”

Then she said:

“Why then have you not brought Absalom back?”

David agreed.

Joab brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.

But David said:

“Let him live in his house—he shall not see my face.”

Absalom’s Appearance

He was praised for his beauty. From head to toe, no blemish.

Each year, his hair was so heavy it had to be cut and weighed.

He had three sons and a daughter named Tamar.

———

After four years, Absalom prepared chariots and fifty men to run before him.

Each morning, he stood by the gate and said:

“If only I were judge in the land—justice would be done!”

He stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom’s Conspiracy

He asked David to let him go to Hebron—to “fulfill a vow.”

But he sent secret messengers through Israel:

“When you hear the trumpet, say:

‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”

200 men went with him, unaware.

He brought Ahithophel, David’s counselor.

David Flees Jerusalem

A messenger told David:

“The hearts of Israel are with Absalom.”

David said:

“Arise—let us flee, or none of us will escape.”

He left with his household and mighty men.

The priests brought the Ark, but David said:

“Return it. If YHWH is pleased, He will bring me back.”

David Weeps on the Mount of Olives

He ascended barefoot and weeping.

When told Ahithophel was with Absalom, David prayed:

“Turn his counsel into foolishness.”

Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, met him.

David said:

“Go to Absalom. Defeat Ahithophel’s counsel.”

———

Ziba, servant of Mephibosheth, met David with donkeys, food, and wine.

David asked:

“Where is your master’s son?”

Ziba answered:

“He remains in Jerusalem—hoping to regain the kingdom.”

David said:

“All that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours.”

Shimei Curses David

As David passed through Bahurim, Shimei son of Gera, of Saul’s house, cursed him:

“Get out, man of blood! YHWH is repaying you!”

Abishai said:

“Shall I strike this dead dog?”

David said:

“Let him curse—perhaps YHWH will see my affliction and repay me with good.”

David and his men continued—dust on his head, barefoot, and weeping.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

Hushai, David’s friend, greeted Absalom:

“Long live the king!”

Absalom asked:

“Is this your loyalty?”

Hushai replied:

“I serve whoever YHWH and His people choose.”

Ahithophel advised:

“Lie with your father’s concubines in public.”

So Absalom pitched a tent on the roof and did so.

“The counsel of Ahithophel in those days was as if one inquired of God.”

———

Ahithophel said:

“Let me take 12,000 men tonight. I will strike David when he is weary.”

Absalom said:

“Call Hushai too.”

Hushai advised:

“David is a man of war—he will not be with the people.

Wait, gather all Israel. Then strike with overwhelming force.”

YHWH ordained it:

“To defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, so that YHWH might bring disaster on Absalom.”

The Warning to David

Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar the plan.

Their sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, ran to warn David.

David crossed the Jordan that night.

Ahithophel’s End

When Ahithophel saw his counsel was rejected,

he set his house in order and hanged himself.

David at Mahanaim

Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai brought food and supplies to David.

“The people were hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

———

David prepared to battle Israel.

He divided his army under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai.

He said:

“Deal gently with the young man Absalom for my sake.”

The Forest Battle

David’s men struck down 20,000.

“The forest devoured more than the sword.”

Absalom, riding a mule, was caught by his head in an oak tree—suspended midair.

A soldier told Joab:

“I saw Absalom hanging in a tree.”

Joab said:

“Why didn’t you strike him?”

The man replied:

“I would not lay a hand on the king’s son.”

Joab thrust three javelins into Absalom’s heart. His men finished him.

They threw him in a pit and heaped stones over him.

David Mourns

Ahimaaz ran with news but didn’t mention Absalom.

Then the Cushite came:

“May all your enemies be like that young man.”

David wept:

“O my son Absalom! My son, my son!

Would I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

———

Joab rebuked David:

“You dishonor your men who saved your life. Arise and speak to them.”

David sat in the gate. All the people came to him.

Judah and Israel Quarrel

David sent word to Judah:

“You are my bone and flesh. Bring me back.”

He appointed Amasa (formerly Absalom’s general) over the army in Joab’s place.

Mercy to Shimei and Mephibosheth

Shimei came and begged forgiveness.

Abishai said:

“Shall he not die?”

David replied:

“Shall any man be put to death today?”

He pardoned him.

Mephibosheth Arrived

He had not trimmed his beard or washed his clothes.

“Ziba deceived me.”

David said:

“You and Ziba shall divide the land.”

Mephibosheth said:

“Let him take all—since my lord has returned in peace.”

Barzillai Declines Honor

The aged Barzillai escorted David but declined to go further:

“Let your servant die in his own city.”

David blessed him.

———

A troublemaker named Sheba son of Bichri blew the trumpet:

“We have no part in David! Every man to his tent, O Israel!”

Judah remained loyal. David returned to Jerusalem.

He confined the ten concubines who had been violated—caring for them, but they lived in seclusion.

David told Amasa:

“Muster Judah in three days.”

Amasa delayed. David sent Abishai.

Joab met Amasa and stabbed him—killing him on the road.

The Siege of Abel

Joab pursued Sheba to Abel of Beth-maacah.

A wise woman called out:

“Why destroy a city that is a mother in Israel?”

Joab said:

“We want only Sheba.”

She replied:

“His head shall be thrown over the wall.”

The city executed Sheba.

Joab blew the trumpet, and all returned home.

———

“In the days of David, there was a famine for three years.”

David inquired of YHWH:

“It is because of Saul and his bloodguilt—because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

David asked the Gibeonites:

“What shall I do for you?”

They said:

“Let seven of Saul’s male descendants be handed over to us.”

David spared Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s son) but gave up two sons of Rizpah and five sons of Merab.

They were hanged at the beginning of barley harvest.

Rizpah’s Vigil

Rizpah spread sackcloth and stayed from harvest until the rains,

keeping birds and beasts away from the bodies.

David brought their bones, along with Saul and Jonathan’s,

and gave them proper burial.

“After that, God was moved by prayer for the land.”

Philistine Giants Defeated

Four descendants of the giants fell by the hand of David and his men:

Ishbi-benob (by Abishai)

Saph

The brother of Goliath (with a massive spear)

A man with 24 fingers and toes

“These fell by the hand of David and his servants.”

———

David sang to YHWH on the day He delivered him from all his enemies:

“YHWH is my rock, fortress, and deliverer…

In my distress, I called upon YHWH—He heard my voice.”

A Theophany

“The earth trembled… smoke went from His nostrils…

He bowed the heavens and came down.”

“He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

A Life of Covenant

“YHWH dealt with me according to my righteousness…

With the merciful You show mercy…

Your word is proven.”

“By You I run against a troop; by my God I leap over a wall.”

“YHWH lives! Blessed be my rock!”

———

“The oracle of David… the sweet psalmist of Israel:

‘The Spirit of YHWH speaks by me…

He who rules justly… is like the light of morning.’”

The Mighty Men

Josheb-basshebeth: killed 800 in one encounter

Eleazar: hand clung to the sword

Shammah: stood in a lentil field as others fled

Three Brought David Water from Bethlehem’s Well

He poured it out to YHWH:

“Shall I drink the blood of these men?”

Other Notables:

Abishai: commander, killed 300

Benaiah: struck down two Moabite heroes, a lion in a pit, and an Egyptian with his own spear

Thirty-seven men total were counted among his elite.

———

“Again the anger of YHWH was kindled against Israel.

He incited David to number the people.”

Joab protested:

“Why bring guilt on Israel?”

But David insisted.

Joab counted 800,000 in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.

David’s Heart Struck Him

“I have sinned greatly. Let me fall into the hand of YHWH, for His mercy is great.”

The Three Choices (through the prophet Gad):

Three years of famine

Three months fleeing from enemies

Three days of plague

David chose the plague.

70,000 died.

The angel reached out to Jerusalem, but YHWH relented.

The Altar at Araunah’s Threshing Floor

David saw the angel and cried:

“I alone have sinned—let Your hand be against me and my father’s house.”

Gad said:

“Build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”

Araunah offered it freely, but David said:

“I will not offer to YHWH that which costs me nothing.”

He paid 50 shekels and built the altar.

“YHWH responded to the offering—and the plague was halted.”