Outline
Introduction
A. 2 Samuel covers approximately 40 years of history of Israel.
B. Our purpose is to analyze the book, review its history, and show its relation to the general theme and purpose of the Bible.
Discussion
A. 2 Samuel may be divided into three parts.
- David is established as king of Israel (chapters 1-10).
a. He reigned seven years in Hebron over Judah (5:5). Abner set up Ishbosheth as a rival king (2:8-10).
b. He reigned 33 years in Jerusalem over all Israel.
c. He brought the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem. - David sins, and calamity results. (chapters 11-18)
a. David commits adultery with Bathsheba (chapters 11-12).
b. Absalom conspires against David (chapter 15), and Shemei curses David (chapter 16).
c. David prepares for war against Israel; Absalom is defeated and killed by Joab (chapter 18). - David repents, is forgiven, his kingdom is re-established (chapters 19-24).
a. Sheba rebels against David and is beheaded by his people (chapter 20).
b. There are three years of famine because Saul slew the Gibeonites (chapter 21).
c. David speaks a long psalm in praise to God (chapters 22-23).
d. David sins in numbering the people, God sends a pestilence, and David buys Aranuah’s threshing floor (chapter 24).
B. Some great lessons can be learned from this history.
- There is a lesson on God’s providence in the life of David and in the nation of Israel.
a. God rules in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32).
b. God’s providence works in our lives (Romans 8:28). - We have a lesson on the folly of division — David versus Ishbosheth.
a. Divisions among brethren are disastrous.
b. Two causes of division are relegating faith to the level of judgment and elevating judgment to the level of faith (with examples). - There is a lesson on consecration and devotion in God’s service.
a. David did much to exalt the worship of God.
b. “See, now I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (7:2; note Mattew 6:33; 22:37). - We find a lesson on the folly of fleshly lusts (James 1:14-15).
- There is a lesson on God’s grace and mercy. He forgave David, but only when David repented (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8-9).
C. How is 2 Samuel related to the overall purpose of the Bible?
- It shows how the purposes of the Law were fulfilled during an important period of Israel’s history.
a. The worship of God was being preserved.
b. Man was learning the sinfulness of sin and that he could not save himself by the strict demands of law (Galatians 3:19; Romans 7:7-25).
c. An outline picture was being given of the gospel. - God is honored and magnified in 2 Samuel (22:2, 4, 33, 47).
- There are prophetic statements of Christ in 2 Samuel (7:14; 22:50; Hebrews 1:5; Romans 15:9).
- David’s earthly kingdom was typical of Christ’s spiritual kingdom (Amos 9:1; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 15:14-17).
Conclusion
A. 2 Samuel is a rich book — interesting in its history and significant because of its relation to the purpose of the Bible.
B. Let us learn its lessons and have a better grasp of God’s purposes.
Introduction
The book of 2 Samuel covers approximately 40 years in the history of Israel nearly all of David’s reign as king. Our purpose is to analyze the book, review its history, and show its relation to the general theme and purpose of the Bible. This can be done best under three headings: 1) outline and summary of the book; 2) some main lessons from the book; 3) how the book is related to the overall purpose of the Bible.
Discussion
The book of 2 Samuel may be divided into three parts. The first section consists of the first ten chapters and relates how David was established as king of Israel. He first reigned seven years in Hebron over Judah. During this period Abner, who had been captain of Saul’s armies, set up Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, as a rival king over the rest of Israel. After David had reigned over Judah for seven years, he was made king over all of Israel and reigned for 33 years in Jerusalem. As king over all of Israel, in rapid succession, he gained victories over the Jebusites, Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Edomites. It was during this period that he brought the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem. It was in connection with this event that the Israelites made a new cart to transport the ark, instead of carrying it as God had ordained. The oxen stumbled and shook the ark, and when Uzzah reached forth his hand to steady the ark, he was stricken dead.
The next division of 2 Samuel includes chapter 11 through chapter 18, and relates David’s sin with Bathsheba, and the calamity that resulted. While Uriah was away fighting in the armies of Joab, David saw Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, bathing. He sent for her and committed adultery with her. As a result of this deed, she became pregnant. David sent and had Uriah brought back from the battle. To cover up his sin of adultery, David tried to persuade Uriah to go to his own house, but Uriah refused on the basis that the armies of Israel were in distress on the battlefield. When David was not able to cover up his sin, he sent word to Joab, the commander of his forces, to put Uriah in the front of the lines and then have the others withdraw from the fighting when the fighting became heavy. This was done, and Uriah was killed. After Uriah was dead, David married Bathsheba, and she bore him a son, but this child died.
David dearly loved his son, Absalom. Absalom slew Amnon, who had violated Tamar’s virtue, and he fled to the king of Geshur. Joab, the captain of David’s armies, contrived to have Absalom brought back. When Absalom returned from Geshur, he began to court the favor of the people and formed a conspiracy against David. David had more trouble when Shemai cursed him. David prepared for battle against these insurrectionists, but when he sent his armies against Absalom, he made a special request that Joab deal gently with Absalom. Absalom rode on a mule under a tree, and his hair caught in the branches of the tree, and he was left hanging there by his hair. Joab found him and killed him. Thus, the rebellion by Absalom was ended.
The third division of 2 Samuel is from chapter 19 through chapter 24 and tells of David’s repentance, his forgiveness, the re-establishment and strengthening of his kingdom, and tells of several events in the last years of his reign. Sheba rebelled against David during this period and was beheaded by his own people. There were three years of famine brought upon Israel because of Saul’s cruelty in slaying the Gibeonites. In chapters 22 through 23 David speaks a long psalm in praise of God. Finally chapter 24 tells about David sin in numbering the people. Because of this sin, God sent a pestilence upon the country. Then the book closes by relating the fact that David bought the threshing floor of Araunah and offered sacrifice there on the spot, where the temple was later built.
There are some general lessons that can be learned from this history. What are some of the lessons we can learn from the book of 2 Samuel? First, there is a lesson on God’s providence in the life of David and in the nation of Israel. God exalted David from the sheepfold to the highest position in his nation. David repeatedly made statements in recognition of the fact that it was by God’s help that he rose to be the king of his country. This emphasizes the lesson taught to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:32 that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever He will”. Not only does God work in a providential way in the affairs of nations, but His providence also is seen in our individual lives. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We can also learn a lesson on the folly of division and rivalry among brethren. This is seen during the seven years that David reigned over Judah alone. Abner set up Ishbosheth as a rival king. During that time Israel was weak, but later on when David became king over all Israel, they were stronger. This should teach us the lesson that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Friction and division among brethren now will sap the strength of the church. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1)!
There are two major causes of division among professed Christians. Some take matters of faith (questions which the Lord has legislated) and relegate them to the level of opinion and judgment. Some examples of this error are the necessity of baptism and the action in baptism. Other state matters of judgment and elevate them to the level of faith or law. Examples of this error are seen in those who oppose a plurality of classes, who oppose uninspired literature, and who oppose using individual communion cups. The most recent case of this among members in the churches of Christ are those who oppose cooperation to support orphans homes and other good works. Taking matters of faith and making them matters of judgment, or taking matters of judgment and making them matters of faith will cause division, and one is just as bad as the other.
There is also a fine lesson on consecration and devotion to God’s service. David did much to exalt and advance the worship of God: he moved the ark to Jerusalem, wrote many songs that were used in the worship, bought a threshing floor of Araunah, and wanted to build a temple. God did not allow him to build the temple, but He told him that Solomon would build it. David’s attitude toward the worship of God is expressed beautifully in this statement, “I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (7:2). This should encourage us to seek first the kingdom of heaven, to love God with all our hearts, and to give our very best in the service of God. We should not be satisfied to have luxury for ourselves when the church of our Lord is in distress.
We should also heed the lesson on the weakness of the flesh, and the folly of yielding to temptation, especially the temptation to indulge our fleshly appetites. David lusted after Bathsheba, and that lust led him to commit adultery. In an effort to cover up one sin, he committed other sins. He was guilty of murder in having Uriah put to death. “But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).
Another lesson is on God’s grace and mercy. When David recognized what he had done, he was sincerely penitent. This repentance is expressed in several of his psalms. God forgave him, and from this we understand the emphasis on God’s willingness to forgive. God’s grace and mercy are more fully revealed in the gospel. Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). We are without excuse if we fail to accept God’s grace through obedience
How is the book of 2 Samuel related to the overall theme and purpose of the Bible? First of all it recorded events in an important period of Israel’s history under the Law of Moses and shows how the purposes of the law were being accomplished. Under the Law of Moses the worship of Jehovah, the one true God, was preserved, and idolatry was prevented from spreading. Also, as Paul tells us in Galatians 3:19 the law was added because of transgression, until the seed should come, and that seed was Christ. The law served a special purpose in preparing the way for Christ. A part of this preparation was to demonstrate to man the exceeding sinfulness of sin and to show man that he could not save himself by the strict demands of a legal system. Also during this time an outline picture (a system of types) was being given of the new and better covenant to come in the future.
Another way that the book of 2 Samuel is related to the overall purpose of the Bible is that God is honored and magnified in the book. We have already seen that it was by God’s providence that David came to the throne of Israel. David often in this book expresses his gratitude and praise to God. In chapter 22:2 he said, “The Lord is my rock, and Fortress, and my Deliverer”. In 22:4 he said, “I will call on the Lord who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies”. In 22:33 David said, “God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect”. In 22:47 he said, “The Lord lives and blessed be my rock and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation”.
There are also some prophetic statements in 2 Samuel referring to Christ and His reign. Chapter 22 is almost identical with Psalm 18. The passage in 2 Samuel 8:14 is quoted in Hebrews 1:5 and is applied to Christ: “I will be his father, and he shall be my son”. The verses in 2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49 are quoted in Romans 15:9 as prophetic of the time when the Gentiles would glorify God for His mercy.
The book of 2 Samuel tells of the establishment of David’s throne in Israel. This was representative or typical of the throne on which Christ would reign. In Luke 1:32 the angel told Mary that God would give her son the throne of his father David, and He should reign over the House of Jacob forever. In Amos 9:11, Amos prophesied that the tabernacle of David would be rebuilt that the residue of men might seek the Lord. This prophecy is quoted by James in Acts 15:16-17 as proof that the gospel was for the Gentiles. In verse 14 James had stated that Peter related how God at the first (at the household of Cornelius) did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. Then he said that the prophets had prophesied about this — had foretold that God would visit the Gentiles and take out from them a people for His name. Then he quoted the passage from Amos.
Premillennialists place a strange construction upon the language from Amos. All agree that the calling out of the Gentiles is going on now, in the church age. Premillennialists read it this way: “After this (after the calling out of the Gentiles) I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David.” Thus, they get the rebuilding of David’s throne in the future after the church age, and they have it a literal earthly throne. James quoted the prophecy, however, to prove that the gospel is for Gentiles. Notice “And to this [the calling of the Gentiles] agree the words of the prophets . . . after this I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down . . . that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called”.
The tabernacle of David was to be rebuilt so that the Gentiles could seek the Lord, so that God might visit the Gentiles and take out a people for His name. This means that the throne of David was re-established spiritually before, and not after, the visiting of the Gentiles. Christ is already on David’s throne. If He is not, the Gentiles cannot seek the Lord, cannot be saved under the gospel, and the Great Commission [Matthew 28:18-20] is not in effect. Just as sure as the Great Commission is in effect now, just as sure as Gentiles can be saved by the gospel, just as certain it is that David’s throne has already been established, Christ sits on that throne and reigns as Lord of lords over His spiritual Kingdom, the church.
Possibly this is the most significant way that 2 Samuel is related to the unfolding of God’s plan and to the overall purpose of the Bible. It recorded the establishment of David’s earthly throne, which was typical or representative of the spiritual throne on which Christ reigns now. David is both the fleshly and the royal progenitor of Christ.
The book of 2 Samuel is a rich book. Its history is interesting and gripping; it is significant because of its relation to the unfolding of God’s scheme of redemption. Remember it is related to the general purpose of the Bible in these ways: 1) it records an important period in Israel’s history and shows how the purposes of the Law of Moses were being accomplished; 2) God is honored and magnified in the book; 3) there are prophetic statements in the book about Christ and His reign for it relates the establishment of David’s earthly kingdom, which is representative of the spiritual kingdom over which Christ rules.
Conclusion
Let us learn these lessons from 2 Samuel, and may this study of the book give us a better grasp of God’s plans as they are unfolded in the Bible and consummated in the gospel of Christ.
Questions for Class Discussion
- How much of Israel’s history is recorded in 2 Samuel?
- What are the three divisions of 2 Samuel (give the chapters in each division, and tell briefly the content of each division).
- Who was the first king of Israel? The second king? The third king? How long did each reign?
- How long did David reign over Judah alone? How long over all Israel?
- Who stole the hearts of the people and led a conspiracy against David?
- Name and discuss five main lessons from 2 Samuel.
- What are two main causes of division? Give examples of each.
- Discuss the purposes of the Law of Moses.
- How is 2 Samuel related to the Law of Moses and the overall purpose of the Bible?
- Name and discuss four other ways 2 Samuel is related to the purpose of the Bible.
- How is David’s earthly kingdom related to Christ’s spiritual kingdom?
- What prophet foretold that David’s tabernacle would be rebuilt? For what purpose?
- What person in the New Testament quoted this prophecy? On what occasion? For what purpose?
- What peculiar interpretation do premillennialists place upon Acts 15:14-17? Refute their claim.