Notes - 2 Samuel Chapters 11 - 24
II. TROUBLES of David, Chapters 11 — 24
Chapter 11 — David’s two great sins were committed when David remained in Jerusalem instead of being out with his army where he should have been (v. 1). David first commits adultery with Bathsheba, then plots the murder of her husband Uriah. David thought he had gotten by with it, but he had not (v. 27).
Chapter 12 — Nathan faces David about his sins, and David repents. Nathan applies the parable about the little ewe lamb to David’s sin (v. 7). Nathan pronounces God’s judgment upon David (vs. 10-12), and David acknowledges his sin (v. 13). David must learn that man reaps what he sows (v. 14). Solomon is the second son born to Bathsheba.
Chapter 13 — David’s daughter Tamar, sister to Absalom, is raped by Amnon, another son of David. David did nothing about it (v. 21). Absalom kills Amnon and flees to his mother’s father, king of Geshur.
Chapter 14 — Joab plots the return of Absalom when he sees David’s love for him (v. 1). Absalom is permitted to return, but David refuses to see him (v. 24). Finally David receives him (v. 33).
Chapter 15 — Absalom heads a rebellion against David after winning the affection of Israel (vs. 6, 10, 12). David is forced to flee from Jerusalem.
David refuses to take the ark with him as a superstitious or good-luck charm (v. 25, 26). David leaves, perhaps to avert bloodshed and the slaying of Absalom (v. 30).
Chapter 16 — Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, betrays his master and deceives David. Shimei, of the house of Saul, curses David, yet David refuses to let Abishai slay him. Absalom takes Jerusalem.
Chapter 17 — Absalom’s advisors, Ahithophel and Hushai, disagree about the attack against David. Hushai argues that David and his men were veterans in the field of battle and Absalom was no match for them (vs. 8, 10).
Chapter 18 — The people refuse to let David go into battle. David reveals his tender love for Absalom by urging all his captains to protect the life of his son (v. 5). Absalom is slain by Joab in battle. David’s deep grief at the death of Absalom is a masterpiece of mourning (v. 33).
Chapter 19 — David returns to Jerusalem and is restored to his throne after Joab rebukes him for his deep mourning for Absalom. Obviously,
Absalom was the favorite son of David and his choice for the throne. David was a great king but a very poor father. David spares the life of Shimei.
Chapter 20 — Sheba, a Benjamite, leads a revolt against David. The revolt is put down by Joab after he slays Amasa who showed no inclination to put down the rebellion.
Chapter 21 — Three years of famine come as a judgment upon the nation because of Saul’s zeal in slaying the Gibeonites with whom Joshua had made a treaty of peace. David continues warring against the Philistines.
Chapter 22 — This is David’s song of deliverance after God delivered him from all his enemies. This is the same as Psalm 18. It would seem a reasonable probability that David wrote Psalm 23 about this time.
Chapter 23 — These are David’s final words. Verse 5 was David’s hope. David’s mighty men are listed. These are the men who came to David during the days of his rejection. They did exploits for God (vs. 13-17) and performed courageous feats beyond the call of David (v. 20). There is one blot on the escutcheon of David, as Uriah the Hittite was one of the mighty men of David (v. 39).
Chapter 24 — David commits another sin in taking a census. By now he should trust God instead of numbers (see 1 Chronicles 21:1-7). God again punishes David but permits him to choose his punishment. David casts himself upon the mercy of God (v. 14). God sends a pestilence. David buys Araunah’s threshing floor on which to rear an altar to God. David’s refusal to accept it as a gift reveals his deep dedication and devotion to God (v. 24).
This spot became the place where Solomon erected the temple. Although the Mosque of Omar stands there today, Israel again controls that area.
2 Samuel continues the message of 1 Samuel. Government of this world in the hands of man is a failure.
I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:27)
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in [judgment]. (Isaiah 32:1)
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