2 Samuel

This book deals almost exclusively with the history of David. All of his history is ot in this book. 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 hronicles also tell the story of david!s life. "t is the account of Theocratic monarchy #$od ruling through his king%. The &eo&le had calmored for a king, and the first one, Saul, was a king after their hearts. Then $od gave them David, a man after his own heart. David always acknowledged the rule of $od, asn was submissive to 'im. David ruled ()D*+ $od, Divisions of the Book: The three main divisions of the book are1. David!s +ule .. David!s /all 0. David!s 1ast 2ears 1. David!s +ise to 3ower- There are really two ma4or divisions. 5ne deals with David!s reig over 6udah only for the first seven years, and the other with his reign over the whole nation. The book o&ens with the story of the Amelekite bringing to David the news of Saul!s death. The story was evidently a fabrication. David dealt with the messenger severely #1-.718%. David then sang his great lamentation over Saul and 6onathan #1-197.9%. "n this, we can see the greatness of this man. David!s first act was to seek Divine guidance #.-17:%, and was sent to 'ebron where the men of 6udah anointed him king. Abner, Saul!s ca&tain, &laced "shbosheth, saul!s son, as king over "srael. ivil war raged, and . Sam. 0-1 sums it u& by saying, ;...now there was long war between the house of David and the house of Saul< but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker=. /inally, almost seven years after he began to reign over 6udah, he was anointed king of "srael. 'e reigned over 6udah :> years, and 00 years over "srael and 6udah #?-?%. 'is first feat was the ca&ture of 6ebus, which became his ca&itol city. 1ater, it was called ;6erusalem=. 'e recogni@ed that his victories and &osition were given by $od #?-1.%. "t was during this time, that David brought he Ark back to 6erusalem. "t had been gone since that fateful day when 'o&hni, 3hineas, and *li had died. )ow all these years had &assed, and David desired to bring it back. 'e knew the im&ortance of a central &lace of worshi&. 'is first attem&t ended in failure, because he did not do it in $od!s &rescribed way. That account is found in . Samuel 8-1711. The second attem&t was successful #. Sam. 8-1.71?%. David!s desire now was to build the tem&le. 'e discussed it with )athan the &ro&het, who encouraged him to do so. 'owever, this was not $od!s will, and in the night, $od s&oke to )athan A. Sam. 9-:%. 'e faithfully communicated this message to David, and both the king and &ro&het willingly submitted to the will of $od, and they worshi&&ed. Buch of the remainder of David!s life was s&ent gathering treasure which his son could use in building the tem&le. "t was also during these years hat the wonderful story of Be&hibosheth occurs. +ead . Sam. A, and see in it a wonderful &icture of $od!s grace to us. And so, the early years close with David having conCuered his enemies, and having established the kingdom. The nation was at its height. "t would be richer under Solomon, but it was never better than it was at this time.