2 Samuel 1-14
Background:
1st and 2nd Samuel are one book in the original. In our English Bibles 2nd Samuel continues the narrative of 1st Samuel. Saul and his sons are dead, the throne is passed to David, and we see God consolidate and unify His Kingdom.
While David is called a “man after God’s own heart”, he was also a man who struggled with sin like we do and he suffered the consequences of his sin.
“The Davidic covenant is the theological centerpiece of the book (chap. 7). God promised David and his heirs an eternal lineage that would rule over an everlasting kingdom (7:12–16). The Davidic king was God’s adopted son who ruled in the name of the Lord and enjoyed God’s providential care. This covenant promise became the messianic hope of God’s people (see Psm. 2; 110). The messianic expectation was a source of great comfort in Israel’s darkest days (see Isa. 9:1–7; 11; Amos 9:11–15; Zech. 9:9–13). This promise is fulfilled by David’s Greater Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31–33).”[1]
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Chapt. 1: David Learns of Saul’s Death
Ø Why did David have the Amalekite killed after bringing him the news of Saul’s death? Is there any application for us?
Ø Why was David so grieved over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan? Knowing that he would succeed them to the throne; wouldn’t it have made more sense for him to be rejoicing? Application?
Ø Notice how David describes Saul and Jonathan; what does this tell us about David’s character?
Chapt. 2-4: David is Anointed King of Judah
Ø Does the coronation of David take place without incident? How did Satan try to thwart God’s plan? Is Satan still at work today trying to disrupt God’s plan?
Ø How do the hostilities end? Is David’s reign over Judah finally established?
Ø Think about how many lives would have been saved if the people had not clamored for “a king like the nations”!
Chapt. 5: David is Anointed King of Israel
Ø What is the significance of David being anointed king over Israel and Judah?
Ø What is the significance of David capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites?
Ø Once the Kingdom is united, David’s armies are able to defeat the Philistines. Think about how things may have turned out if the Hebrews had totally rid the land of the inhabitants as they were instructed to do by God when they took possession of the land. How does that apply to us?
Chapt. 6: The Ark is Returned to Jerusalem
Ø Where has the Ark been and why?
Ø Why did the Lord strike Uzzah dead for keeping the Ark from tipping over? What does this teach us about God? Application for us?
Ø Why did Michal rebuke David and what was the consequence of her actions? Application?
Chapt. 7: The Davidic Covenant
Ø God granted an unconditional covenant to David. What does it mean when God gives an unconditional covenant?
Ø Why did God not allow David to build a temple?
Ø What was the covenant that God promised to David? What was David’s response? Application?
Chapt. 8-10: David’s Victories
Ø How are the nations that David defeats? Why was it necessary for David to defeat them? Application?
Ø Who is Mephibosheth and what is the significance of this account?
Ø Why was David so incensed over the response he received from Hanun, when he expressed his sympathy over Hanun’s father’s death?
Chapt. 11: David’s Sin
Ø What factors lead to David’s sin with Bathsheba?
Ø Instead of owning up to his sin and facing the consequences, what did David do? What can we learn from this?
Ø It appeared as though David and going to “get away” with his sin but someone else was very aware of his actions? Is there ever a time when our sin is not before God? Is there ever a time when our sin does not affect the lives of many other people?
Chapt. 12: Nathan Rebukes David
Ø David is the king of the United Kingdom, a very powerful individual, and Nathan is sent by God to confront him. Would you have been willing to do what Nathan was called to do? Did Nathan run from his task? How did he confront David? Application?
Ø What was the consequence of David’s sin? What was David’s response? Application?
Chapt. 13-14: David’s Failing as a Father
Ø What can we learn from the actions of David’s children in this chapter? As a parent, where is our first responsibility/mission field?
Ø Notice how the sin of Amnon escalates? Is there ever such a thing as a “secret sin”?
Ø Is deceit ever the way to reconciliation? How difficult is it to “mend” family disputes? What is the solution to family disputes that get out of hand?
[1] Mathews, K. A. (1998). The Historical Books. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary: Simple, straightforward commentary on every book of the Bible (D. S. Dockery, Ed.) (121). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
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