OVERVIEW OF 2 SAMUEL
2 Samuel Overview-
2 Samuel is quite simply the life story of Israel’s greatest monarch, King David-
the “man after God’s own heart.” He was the hero of Israel. He stepped out of the
ranks of mediocrity and became a champion with God. He had the stamina to
stand and the strength to accept the storms of life. He was a Shepherd, a Singer, a
Soldier, a King and a Sinner. David’s political and military victories brought Israel
to place of world prominence. He could conquer nations but found it hard to
conquer his personal lusts of the flesh. His personal lions and bears, conquered
him for a time, but even in this, His humility and submission to His God brought
him home as the Old Testament prodigal. He like the Prodigal Jesus taught about,
had to go down to rise up and he too had to “come to himself” to be able to repent
and be restored.
This book covers a period of about 40 years.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Faith vs Fear- A lesson on Courage. He conquered Goliath, but his victories and
courage in battle grew stronger and stronger as his life continued.
David would overcome Ish-bosheth (Saul’s son) who wanted to usurp power in the
North. This resulted in civil ware in Israel (led by Abner and Judah (led by Joab.
Intrigue, assassination and defection marked the beginning of David’s reign.
But David waited. He did not try to force himself to the throne by armed power
because he knew God had appointed him. So, David waited and prayed 2 Sam.
2:1. In chapter 3:1 God’s position becomes clear. Towards the conclusion of
David’s reign there was turmoil from within, even his own son, seized an
opportunity to usurp his father’s throne. Absalom had charisma and a majority of
the population behind him (15:12). As a result of David’s confidence in God he
regained the throne.
Faith vs. Pride -A Lesson on Humility. David walked away intact with military
victory after victory. Now he will face A King’s greatest Challenge- PRIDE.
Pride had destroyed Saul; Will David go the way of Saul? It is in this challenge
that David’s That David’s humility shines forth. See Psalm 8:3-4; 33:16-18,20;
61:1-2.
Faith vs Anxiety-A lesson in Security. David’s successful life made him the target
of ungodly men (Ps. 69:4a). Much of his life was spent avoiding assassination
attempts. From Saul and others. His anthem was Psalm 23- He would fear no evil
when he walked with God.
Faith Vs Revenge- A lesson in Patience. Though he Was hounded and pursued
and troubled by enemies, he never gave into hatred. Twice he could have killed
Saul, but he refused to lay a hand against God’s anointed.
Faith vs Lust- A lesson in Self-Control. This is the darkest chapter of David’s
life. We see David the hero fails miserably in battles against the lust of the
flesh (2 Sam. 11:1-2). He piles sin on top of sin and ends up breaking 6 of
the 10 commandments. Notice the sins produced by David’s evil heart in
this matter. Idleness, sensual lustful thoughts, coveting his neighbor’s wife,
adultery, lying, murder, and above all ammunition for his enemies (12:14).
He learned of the temporary passing pleasure of sin and how much it costs,
in his case for the rest of his life and beyond. “Psalm 51:3. David allowed
his desires to move him to slay one of his closest and most loyal men. Uriah
was one of David’s 600 men, and David sent the order to murder him and
make it look like the enemy did it. David was that enemy.
Faith vs. Stubbornness- A lesson in Repentance- 2 Sam. 12:1-7a- time had gone
by and David had still not repented of his sins. Only when his friend Nathan
5,9-10came to him and told him what he did not want to hear, was David’s
heart touched and he was moved to repent. (12:1-8; Ps. 51:4,10,32:3,5,9-10)
Faith vs. Greed- A Lesson in Gratitude. Many have the faith to overcome
persecutions, fear and revenge, but few can endure prosperity. David was
wealthy. Years of frightened had yielded a bounty of seized property and
riches. Every talent of Gold, Silver and jewels was a threat to David’s faith.
But David proves to overcome this. He warns of trusting in riches (Ps. 52:7.
He knees the value of sacrifices (2 Sam. 24:24). His life was a constant
lesson in sacrifice, sharing and thanksgiving to God.
Faith vs. Despair- a lesson in Hope 12:15-18. How many of us would have given
up? Overtaken by despair over the loss of a child we would have a tendency
to throw in the towel and as Job’s wife advised- “curse God and die.”
Notice Daivd’s disposition in 12:20-23. Later after the death of another son
(18:33), David’s faith in God continued when in chapter 19 he spoke to the
people, encouraging them, and in this, faith won over despair. David can be
thankful also for good advisors who helped him not lose his people.
Even when David was faced with his own death, David expressed a solid
hope based on a firm foundation of faith in God. (Ps. 23:4).
OUTLINE OF 2 SAMUEL: DAVID’S TRIUMPHS- TRANSGRESSION AND
TROUBLE
1-12- DAVID’S TRIUMPHS
KING OVER JUDAH IN HEBRON -1-4- CIVIL WAR FOR 7 YEARS
KING OVER ALL ISRAEL AT JERUSALEM 5-12- 33 YEARS.
13-24- DAVID’S TROUBLES
FAMILY 13-18 Amnon’s sin to Absalom’s Revolt
NATIONAL TROUBLES-19-24- SHEBA REVOLT TO PESTILENCE.
CENTRAL MESSAGE- SIN (WHETHER WITH A KING OR ANYONE ELSE)
HAS A HORRIBLE COST. SIN IS THE GREAT DESTOYER OR MEN,
NATIONS AND SOULS. UNREPENTED SIN WILL WORK SLOWING TO
TAKE DOWN THE GREATEST OF PEOPLE. DAVID’S SIN WITH
BATHSHEBA WAS NOT A SUDDEN THING. IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN
UNDISCIPLINED LIFE TOWARDS WOMEN AND MARRIAGE. SIN WILL
ALWAYS TAKE YOU FURTHER THAN YOU WANT TO GO, KEEP YOU
LONGER THAN YOU WANT TO STAY AND COST YOUMORE THAN
YOUR EVE INTENDED TO PAY. David’s sin with Bathsheba was the
culmination of bade thinking. When temptation came, David had the willpower to
resist if he wanted to, but he saw, he inquired, he planned and he yielded then he
covered and murdered. That crash in his life can be heard for generations to come
in the form of treachery, immorality, jealousy, incest, rebellion, revolt, and murder
in David’s own family. (See James 1:14-15).
DAVID’S TRIUMPHS-
At Hebron- the book opens with David’s lament over Saul “oh how they might
have fallen” In chapter 2:1 David is told by God to go to Hebron. Where he would
reign for 7 years because the other tribes would not accept Saul’s successor.
Abner helps install Ishbosheth as king as Saul’s family successor. Israel
misunderstood God’s plan for His monarchy. It would be God’s choice not
Abner’s as to who would be the next king. 3:9-10, 17-18; 5:2 Abner and Israel’s
leadership knew David was anointed by Samuel.
Why the challenge? Perhaps Abner felt threatened or perhaps it was Israels faith in
David being shaken when he went to sojourn with the Philistines to escape Saul.
Finally in chapter 5 David is king over ALL Israel. He transfers the seat of
government to Jerusalem instead of Hebron. They acknowledged David’s right to
be king: Human kinship- “we are bone of your flesh. His proven merit- you were
one who led Israel in and out>
His Divine warrant- and the Lord said to you.
Christ’s right to rule is similar- He is our kinsman (Heb. 2:11) He is our Savior of
proven merit- he espoused our cause and brought us unto the Lord Redeeming us.
He is our king by Divine Warrant- Phil. 2:9-11.
THE DAVIDIC COVENANT- THE THRONE PROMISE-7:12-13 IS THE 4 TH
KEY PROPHECY IN God’s plan of salvation. The first great messianic promise is
in Gen. 3:15; the second in Genesis 12:1-3; The third was made to Jacob in
Genesis 49:10 where we see the scepter will not depart from Judah until Messiah
comes, the 4 th is here.
The fulfillment of the Covenant to David. Solomon would be David’s direct
descendant in an immediate way and he would build the Lord’s house. It would be
Christ who would build His spiritual kingdom the church. Heb. 1:5 is a quote from
2 Samual 7 and applied to Christ (Acs 2:29036; 1 Peter 2:406; Matt. 28:18-19;
Eph. 1:20-23.
ISRAEL AT THE TOP. From chapter 8 to 10 Israel is at its peak. David is
victorious warrior- at home he is a capable administrator, never before had Israel
enjoyed such power among the enations. In 8:12,14 there is a list of 7 powers
subdued by David.
DAVIDS TROUBLES- Proof for authenticity of text. Men would have left out the
sin with Bathsheba. There is endorsement of the sins of David or any other person.
God is able to accomplish His will with or without man’s compliance.
WE close with the repentant words of David who did not see his sin as just a piece
of passing folly or as a simple mistake. He realized what we must, and that when
we sin- WE SIN AGAINST GOD. David said to Nathan- “I HAVE SINNED
AGAINST THE LORD” AND GOD SAID TO SAMUEL- “I HAVE FOUND A
MAN. A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART. AND MAN, WHO WILL DO MY
WILL- DAVID”
He was a sinful man and as such not capable of being our Redeemer. His sins were
horrible and the consequences far-reaching. His story shows us that our sins will
find us out. Sin truly does destroy and cost, but the great message is that through
God’s mercy, we can repent of our sins and return to serve God better, having
overcome the fires of trials and failures. God wants all men to come to repentance-
He is our best friend, but He will not condone or compromise with sin. Thank God
that He is full or mercy and pardon, but we must repent and come to Him on His
terms.